President Trump Directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to Finalize Marijuana Rescheduling by the End of January

President Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to issue a final ruling on marijuana rescheduling by the end of January, according to two sources close to the president who spoke with The Marijuana Herald.

The executive order signed by Trump last week orders AG Bondi to “take all necessary steps to complete the rulemaking process related to rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III of the CSA in the most expeditious manner in accordance with Federal law”.

Under federal law, any rescheduling decision must be finalized through DOJ, with coordination from the Department of Health and Human Services (the Department issued their rescheduling recommendation in 2023). Trump’s message to Bondi, as described by the sources, underscores that while the administration intends to follow the legal framework, it also expects a timely outcome rather than prolonged administrative delays. Although Trump ordered Bondi to issue a ruling “by the end of January”, it’s possible a ruling could come early in the month.

If DOJ follows through with issuing a final rule on an accelerated timeline by the end of January, marijuana would be officially moved to Schedule III by the spring, a change that would formally acknowledge accepted medical use under federal law and significantly alter how the substance is treated for tax, research, and regulatory purposes. Schedule III status would not legalize marijuana federally, but it would eliminate the punitive tax provision known as 280E, expand opportunities for scientific research, and allow FDA-approved cannabis medicines to be prescribed nationwide (currently only CBD and synthetic THC can be prescribed).

The push for a January deadline comes as pressure continues to build from lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and patient advocates who have been awaiting clarity since the rescheduling review began. A final ruling will mark the first change to marijuana’s federal classification since it was placed in Schedule I more than five decades ago.

While DOJ has not publicly commented on the timeline, the president’s position suggests the administration wants the matter resolved quickly, setting the stage for a major shift in federal marijuana policy at the start of the year.