Cannabis rescheduling has remained in limbo since President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to complete the process. The ousting of Attorney General Pam Bondi this week raises further questions about whether marijuana reform is still on track.
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Trump named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former personal lawyer, as acting attorney general. Three people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday that Trump has privately discussed Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, as a permanent pick.
Zeldin has a mixed record on cannabis, according to Marijuana Moment. The outlet notes the former congressman from New York voted against legalizing cannabis nationwide in 2020. However, Zeldin has supported safer banking for cannabis businesses and protections for medical programs.
Despite his uneven history on reform, the Trump administration says the path to Schedule III remains clear.
A White House press office representative told GreenState, “The Administration continues to implement the President’s [sic] executive order on cannabis rescheduling.” The spokesperson referred GreenState to the Department of Justice for specifics. DOJ representatives did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Trent Woloveck, chief strategy officer for multistate operator Jushi Holdings, told MJBizDaily he is optimistic about Blanche, saying the deputy attorney general has played an active role in the rescheduling process.
Woloveck met this week with members of the White House Office of Management and Budget, which helps implement presidential directives, and said he remains bullish on rescheduling.
At this point, it is still unclear when (or if) cannabis will officially move to Schedule III. More than three months have passed since Trump’s executive order. With conflict in the Middle East and other global issues on the administration’s agenda, cannabis may take time to rise to the top.
