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BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is leading a coalition of state attorneys general in voicing sharp opposition to the Trump Administration’s recent move to reschedule marijuana.

The pushback comes just hours after President Trump signed an executive order intended to expedite medical cannabis research—a move the administration claims will revolutionize treatment while stopping short of full federal legalization.

Rescheduling Marijuana?

During a signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Thursday, President Trump described the reclassification as “common sense”, according to CNN.

RELATED: Trump signs executive order expediting marijuana reclassification after lobbying from cannabis industry

“This order will make it far easier to conduct marijuana-related medical research, allowing us to study benefits, potential dangers, and future treatments,” Trump said. “The facts compel the government to recognize that marijuana can be legitimate… especially as a substitute for addictive and potentially lethal opioid painkillers.”

Currently, the DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule I substance, the most restrictive category, alongside heroin and LSD. These drugs are legally defined as having “no currently accepted medical use,” according to the DEA.

Reclassifying it to Schedule III would place it in the same category as ketamine, anabolic steroids, or testosterone, drugs considered to have a “moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence.”

Labrador’s Concerns: Science and Public Safety

Attorney General Labrador, joined by attorneys general from Nebraska, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, argued that the science supporting marijuana’s status as a dangerous drug remains clear.

In a joint statement, Labrador emphasized that Idaho has seen “firsthand the harm” the drug causes in local communities.

“The negative impacts of expanded marijuana use, especially on children and adolescents, are worrisome,” Labrador stated. “The public policy challenges, such as the exponential increase in difficult-to-combat driving under the influence, are both significant and serious.”

While Labrador noted that the group is “grateful” for the administration’s willingness to hear their views, he signaled that legal challenges or further formal opposition could be on the horizon. He states the group will “evaluate the order closely to determine how we can best continue to engage, protect the public health, and ensure the safety of our citizens.”

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — December 20th, 1951, was a big day for the United States and southeast Idaho. On that day 75 years ago, EBR-1, the experimental breeder reactor at the Idaho National Laboratory, became the world’s first nuclear reactor to generate usable electricity from atomic energy, initially powering four light bulbs, then an entire building, and eventually the town of Arco.

Tomorrow, the INL will celebrate the 75th anniversary of this breakthrough in energy production.

“At the end of World War two, the whole world knew the United States could destroy something by splitting an atom. Demonstrated that pretty powerfully. And this is the first time they have made electricity, a peaceful application by harnessing that same power.”

The INL is inviting the community to join them in celebrating the occasion at the EBR-1 museum for a free, family-friendly event. The morning bus leaves at 9 AM, and the afternoon bus will leave at 12:15 PM.

The museum is typically open in the summer. This event offers a rare winter opportunity to explore the historic EBR-I museum, enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and hear a festive EBR-I themed holiday poem read by Liza Raley, INL ambassador and former local radio personality.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate a pioneering achievement in science and technology — right here in Idaho.

The museum is located 50 miles west of Idaho Falls on U.S. Highway 20. Hours for December 20th are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.

To register for a seat on the free bus ride to the site, click HERE.

IDAHO (KIFI) — The season of giving is here, and the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas program is hoping to kids in need a holiday miracle. The program estimates that thousands of children in Idaho have parents who are incarcerated.

“This season won’t be marked by warmth and celebration; it will be marked by loneliness. Children impacted by parental incarceration often carry a heavy emotional burden. But we have the ability to change that,” said Joi Johnson, Account Coordinator for the Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas program.

The Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas program serves over 200K children nationwide. It delivers gifts and a personal note to children on behalf of their incarcerated parents.

“These are more than just toys—this is a powerful conduit for hope and love,” said Johnson.

Fellowship’s Angel Tree Christmas program is asking for the community’s support.

“The involvement of local Idaho churches and community groups are necessary to ensure every child in the area receives this hope,” said Johnson.

For more information on how you can help, visit here.