House Majority Leader Calls Marijuana a 'Gateway Drug' as Trump Moves to Reschedule

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) reiterated his belief that marijuana is a 'gateway drug' while the Trump administration advances a proposal to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, underscoring a split within the Republican party on cannabis policy.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) told Marijuana Moment that he believes 'marijuana is a gateway drug, and it causes other problems down the road' for users, even as the Trump administration moves to ease federal restrictions on cannabis.

Scalise's comments came in response to a question about FBI data showing Louisiana had the highest percentage of drug arrests for cannabis possession in 2025, at 62 percent. He largely sidestepped the arrest issue, saying marijuana policy is primarily regulated at the state level.

The gateway drug theory has been widely debunked by research. A study published last year found that 'strong causal evidence for progression to other substances is limited' and that marijuana use 'typically follows alcohol and tobacco, and rarely leads to further drug use.'

Scalise's stance contrasts with the Trump administration's actions. In April, Attorney General Todd Blanche issued an order reclassifying state-licensed medical cannabis and FDA-approved marijuana products from Schedule I to Schedule III, and a DEA hearing was held to consider broader rescheduling.

Scalise has consistently opposed cannabis reform, voting against federal legalization, banking access for cannabis businesses, and amendments protecting state programs. In 2024, he criticized the Biden administration's rescheduling move, saying the government should focus on reducing drug use.