President Donald Trump today signed an executive order to downgrade cannabis from the most restrictive category of drugs, easing some limitations and allowing for more medical research. He also okayed a pilot program to reimburse Medicare patients for CBD products.
Former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, who endorsed Trump in the 2024 presidential election and runs the cannabis brand Tyson 2.0, responded by thanking Trump.
Tyson wrote on social media: “Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrump for rescheduling cannabis. This decision reflects listening to people across the country and taking a practical step toward modernizing outdated policies. It supports American workers, families, and businesses, and allows over 500,000 existing jobs to finally be counted.”
Thank you @POTUS @realDonaldTrump for rescheduling cannabis. This decision reflects listening to people across the country and taking a practical step toward modernizing outdated policies. It supports American workers, families, and businesses, and allows over 500,000 existing…
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 18, 2025
Tyson added: “Clemency and federal legalization are the next important steps. Americans across the political spectrum agree that no one should remain incarcerated for non-violent marijuana offenses. @weldon_angelos and my team look forward to working with @potus and others to make these next steps a reality.”
Clemency and federal legalization are the next important steps. Americans across the political spectrum agree that no one should remain incarcerated for non-violent marijuana offenses. @weldon_angelos and my team look forward to working with @potus and others to make these next…
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 18, 2025
Weldon Angelos, a music producer who was sentenced in a high profile marijuana case, served 13 years in prison and was pardoned by Trump in 2020, replied to Tyson.
Today’s decision to reschedule cannabis is an important first step. I’m grateful to @realDonaldTrump for taking action and for being a promise keeper, and thank you @MikeTyson for stepping up and using your voice to help push this forward. It doesn’t fully end the harm of…
— Weldon Angelos (@weldon_angelos) December 18, 2025
Angelos wrote: “Today’s decision to reschedule cannabis is an important first step. I’m grateful to @realDonaldTrump for taking action and for being a promise keeper, and thank you @MikeTyson for stepping up and using your voice to help push this forward. It doesn’t fully end the harm of prohibition—but it opens the door to the clemency and other reforms that must come next. I look forward to working with you, @AliceMarieFree, and the @WhiteHouse to deliver justice for those still incarcerated for cannabis.”
The issue may be one rare place where the current President largely agrees with his predecessor, Joe Biden, who pardoned thousands convicted of marijuana possession in 2023.
Biden said at the time: “Criminal records for marijuana use and possession have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities…Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. It’s time that we right these wrongs.”