A major shakeup at the Department of Justice is now front and center — and it could have real implications for cannabis rescheduling. In the latest Trade To Black podcast, presented by Flowhub, Shadd Dales and Anthony Varrell are joined by Michael Bronstein, President of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp (ATACH), to break down what Pam Bondi’s firing means for U.S. cannabis policy. And more specifically: what does this shift at the DOJ mean for rescheduling?
With Bondi out, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has stepped in. At the same time, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is being mentioned as the leading candidate for the permanent role. The key question is simple — does this speed up rescheduling, or does it slow things down?
Michael Bronstein, president of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, joined as the episode’s primary guest and offered his take on the Bondi firing. Trump’s December 18, 2025 executive order directed the DOJ to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III. That would eliminate 280E, expand research, and bring more clarity to the industry. But the timeline now depends on who is leading the DOJ and how they approach the process.
Bronstein noted that interim AG Todd Blanche was reportedly the person inside the DOJ actively working on the final rescheduling rule even while Bondi was in office. Blanche is seen as someone who can keep things moving. Zeldin is viewed as more cautious, with a stronger focus on states’ rights and a narrower approach to reform.
The episode also touches on Trump’s proposal to continue protecting state-level medical cannabis programs, while still blocking recreational sales in Washington, D.C., along with growing momentum in North Carolina around legalization. This is where things stand right now — policy direction is set, but execution is what matters next.
