Local reaction to Trump announcing plans to reclassify cannabis
Manoah Tuiasosopo
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – President Donald Trump has announced plans to reclassify cannabis as a less dangerous drug at the federal level.
We spoke with local cannabis business owners who say the move could bring big benefits.
Cannabis is currently classified as a schedule I drug, the same category as heroin, methamphetamine, and ecstasy but that could change.
The federal government may soon reclassify marijuana to a lower tier, potentially treating it more like alcohol or tobacco, a move local cannabis businesses say is long overdue.
Angel Fernandez, the President and Owner of Aroma Cannabis, says “This is exciting because everyone knows that Trump appointed someone new as the head of the DEA, and we’re hoping that they will see it all they way through.”
Aroma Cannabis and Yuma Dispensary both say the change could bring significant benefits including easier access to banking services, reduced tax burdens, and the ability to expand legally.
Fernandez says, “There’s a lot of challenges to running a cannabis company, and the deductions that we’re not allowed to take in our IRS forms every single year when we file taxes, that’s one of the big ones.”
Ricardo Nava, a Store Manager at Yuma Dispensary, adds, “That means we can’t write off the salaries, marketing, or any bills like a traditional business, so that’s kind of heavy on the owner, it’s a lot of out of pocket.”
But it’s not just owners who could benefit as staff and customers may see positive changes too.
Nava explains, “I feel the customer will be the first one that will benefit off of it, actually being able to use debit and credit cards at a location… For employees, it’s just going to benefit them being able to express where they work and be proud of where they work at.”
For years, Arizona cannabis users have traveled to California for better prices and higher quality but industry leaders say that’s changing.
Raul Molina, the Chief Operations Officer for Mint Cannabis in Phoenix, says, “I think Arizona is catching up and you’ll see a little bit less of that as people go into the stores.”
Molina says new strains, better cultivation, and stronger local businesses are making a big difference.
“Five years ago, either store in Yuma would’ve had a hard time breaking 250 (thousand) a month, and right now you’ve got one at 300 (thousand) and one at 600 (thousand), so there’s one million dollars a month being sold from in the Yuma-Somerton area.”
Health officials also say the move could open doors for more medical research and regulated clinical trials.
But not everyone supports the plan, as critics say it could harm public health as well as impact younger generations.