What Marijuana Does to the Body Minute by Minute — as Trump Signals Possible Shift in U.S. Law
Donald Trump has hinted at one of the biggest potential changes to U.S. drug policy in decades: the reclassification of marijuana.
Despite its widespread use and legalization in many states, cannabis remains a Schedule I drug at the federal level — a category reserved for substances considered highly addictive with no accepted medical benefit. That status dates back to the 1970s, when cannabis was grouped alongside heroin and LSD.
Now, the Justice Department has taken formal steps to move marijuana to Schedule III, a category that recognizes medical value and carries lighter restrictions. Trump himself recently addressed the idea, saying his administration is actively reviewing the proposal.
But as the political conversation unfolds, many are asking: what exactly happens inside the body when someone uses marijuana?
How Cannabis Acts in the Body
The effects of marijuana vary depending on the strain, dosage, and method of use. Smoking or vaping can trigger noticeable changes within minutes, while edibles can take up to two hours to kick in because they must be processed through the liver first.
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First 10 minutes: THC, the primary psychoactive compound, enters the bloodstream. Heart rate often increases by 20 to 50 beats per minute, and blood vessels in the eyes expand, producing the classic “red-eye” look.
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Within 20 minutes: Smoked cannabis reaches peak absorption. Users often report a wave of euphoria, relaxation, or heightened sensory perception. But reactions differ—some people instead experience anxiety or panic.
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30 minutes in: Many users reach the peak of their high. Food cravings, known as “the munchies,” may appear as THC stimulates brain regions tied to taste and smell.
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1 to 6 hours later: The main effects begin to wear down, though edible highs last significantly longer than smoked or vaped cannabis. Dabbing (using concentrates in pipes or bongs) typically produces a shorter but more intense experience, often one to three hours.
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Up to 24 hours: While the obvious high may fade, judgment, reaction time, and concentration can remain impaired into the next day.
The Push for Reclassification
In May, the Department of Justice announced that Attorney General Merrick Garland had formally submitted a proposal to downgrade marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act. The move followed a scientific review requested by President Biden in 2022, with health officials concluding marijuana has recognized medical uses and a lower potential for abuse than previously classified.
The proposed change would not fully legalize cannabis but would mark a historic step toward mainstream acceptance. It would also ease restrictions on research, open pathways for medical prescribing, and reduce penalties for possession and distribution at the federal level.
Trump’s Take on Cannabis
Asked about the proposal on August 11, Trump gave a cautious but open response:
“We’re looking at it. Some people like it, some people hate it — some people hate the whole concept of marijuana because if it does bad for the children, it does bad for people that are older than children. But we’re looking at reclassification, and we’ll make a determination over the next few weeks.”
His comments suggest that while concerns about health remain, the administration is weighing the broader benefits of loosening federal restrictions.
What Reclassification Could Mean
If marijuana is officially downgraded, experts believe it could shift demand away from the black market. Dr. Carl Hart, a neuroscientist at Columbia University, told the BBC:
“When you legalize a compound, far more people would go to the legal market, just because it’s simple and people don’t have access to the black market. The illicit market would certainly dwindle.”
For everyday Americans, that could mean safer, more regulated products — and fewer barriers to access for medical patients.