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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Rylan Barton.

For decades, marijuana has been considered one of the most dangerous street

drugs in America by the federal government.

Now President Trump is reclassifying it, clearing the way for more medical research

and insurance coverage.

NPR's Brian Mann reports.

As Trump signed the executive order, he said he's

been lobbied heavily to loosen marijuana restrictions. We have people begging for me to do this,

people that are in great pain. Marijuana has been classified as a Schedule 1 drug akin to heroin

since the 1970s. Now it will be classified as a Schedule 3 drug, a category that recognizes its usefulness and low risk.

Medicare insurance is also expected to cover some cannabis products beginning next year.

Dozens of U.S. states have gone much further.

Fully legalizing marijuana, including for personal recreational use, Trump said he's not

ready to take that step. Brian Mann, NPR News. So far, Congress has not renewed expiring subsidies

for Affordable Care Act plans. As Blake Farmer of Member Station WPLN reports, millions of Americans

are now planning for reduced coverage or even going without health insurance altogether.

Robert Sorrey of Thompson Station, Tennessee has already talked to his psychiatrist about paying

cash for his appointments every three months. That way, he can keep his prescriptions current,

which he'll also have to find money for. I'm not somebody who gets sick super often, thank God.

And if I do, generally I go to an emergency room where they're going

to bill me later and I can get on a plan, you know what I mean? A repayment plan that he says he can

...