Boxing legend Mike Tyson has thrown his support behind President Donald Trump following reports that the former president is considering reclassifying weed as a less dangerous controlled substance.
The heavyweight champion took to social media to express his backing posting
“We are with you 100%, @realDonaldTrump!”
in response to news coverage of Trump’s potential policy shift on weed regulation.
According to the Wall Street Journal Trump discussed his interest in moving weed from Schedule I to Schedule III classification during a high-profile fundraiser at his New Jersey golf club earlier this month. The $1 million-per-plate event attracted attendees from various industries including prominent figures from the weed sector.
Among the guests was Kim Rivers chief executive of Trulieve one of the nation’s largest weed companies. Rivers reportedly encouraged Trump to pursue the reclassification and expand medical weed research opportunities during their conversation.
This potential policy change represents a significant evolution in Trump’s stance on weed. During his first presidential term Trump expressed reservations about weed use once telling associates that he believed it
“does cause an IQ problem; you lose IQ points.”
However his recent comments suggest a more pragmatic approach to the issue.
The reclassification Trump is reportedly considering would build upon a proposal originally put forward by the Biden administration but never implemented. Moving weed from Schedule I to Schedule III would dramatically reduce regulatory barriers for the legal weed industry potentially making the multibillion-dollar sector significantly more profitable.
Political strategist Alex Bruesewitz highlighted the broad appeal of such a move noting that rescheduling weed enjoys support from approximately 80% of all voters and 70% of Republican voters specifically. Bruesewitz emphasized an important distinction clarifying that
“rescheduling isn’t legalizing”
and criticized those who conflate the two concepts as
“being dishonest.”
The weed industry has been closely watching federal policy developments as current Schedule I classification creates substantial operational challenges for legal weed businesses. These companies often struggle with banking relationships tax burdens and interstate commerce restrictions due to federal regulations.
Tyson’s endorsement carries particular weight given his own involvement in the weed industry. The former champion has been an advocate for weed legalization and has invested in weed-related ventures making his support for Trump’s potential policy shift both personal and business-oriented.
The timing of Trump’s reported consideration comes as public opinion on weed continues to shift nationwide. Multiple states have legalized weed for both medical and recreational use creating a patchwork of regulations that many industry advocates argue federal rescheduling could help streamline.
If Trump moves forward with reclassification efforts it would mark a notable departure from traditional Republican positions on weed policy. The potential change reflects growing bipartisan recognition of weed’s medical benefits and the economic opportunities presented by regulated weed markets.
The weed industry and its supporters including high-profile advocates like Tyson will likely continue monitoring Trump’s position as the political landscape evolves around this increasingly mainstream policy issue.
