Utahns express optimism following President Donald Trump's executive order to expedite the reclassification of marijuana. This order changes marijuana's status from a Schedule I to a Schedule III narcotic, marking a significant shift in federal cannabis policy. This change is expected to facilitate legal research on marijuana, which has been restricted for decades due to its previous classification alongside drugs like LSD and heroin. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill acknowledged the change as a move towards a more rational approach to drug classification. However, he clarified that marijuana's criminal classification in Utah remains unchanged, with simple possession still classified as a Class B misdemeanor until legislative action is taken. The impact of this reclassification on the hemp industry is yet to be fully understood. Steve Murdock, a farmer and herbal medicine store owner in Midvale, is optimistic about the potential for increased cannabis research but expressed concerns regarding the differentiation between the hemp and cannabis industries. Murdock's business focuses on legal products low in THC, aimed at aiding sleep, pain, and anxiety. He believes this executive order could enhance education about cannabis products. Scott Ericson, CEO of Standard Wellness and The Forest dispensary in Murray, emphasized the significance of this reclassification as a step forward for patients across the nation. His personal experience with cannabis as a treatment for his wife's terminal cancer has fueled his passion for the medical marijuana business. His dispensary offers products with higher THC levels, requiring a medical referral card for purchase. Ericson highlighted that more than 100,000 patients in Utah are currently using medical marijuana for various conditions, reinforcing the legitimacy of cannabis as a beneficial medicine in the state.