Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s remarks Thursday come shortly after being confirmed as Secretary of U.S. Health and Human Services by Senators, following which his Senate confirmation vote took place. On this matter – such as marijuana legalization at state levels can facilitate research to explore both harms and benefits – were alarming to many Americans, particularly his constituents who believe high potency marijuana use may have devastating ramifications on individuals, making legalization necessary to assess all its impacts and costs more effectively.
As President-elect and later, as part of Trump’s transition team, Teddy Kennedy voiced strong support for legalizing marijuana use; yet during recent months he has become less vocal as he works to garner Senate confirmation as health chief of this country.
Now, in his first major media interview since securing his cabinet position earlier today, Kennedy told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham that cannabis has the potential to cause significant harm.
HHS Secretary Thomas Price, who experienced drug dependency as a youth himself, responded when asked by reporters about cannabis policy with remarks regarding recovery for over four decades and daily 12-step meetings attended.
“I hear stories regularly about how marijuana affects individuals–often times with catastrophic results,” according to Kennedy. However, that concern must also be balanced against previous experiences associated with criminalization of cannabis use.
“Twenty-five states [have now legalized marijuana], yet we had approximately one third of our prison population serving time for marijuana offenses,” according to Mr. Cohen. “That is something we don’t wish on anyone either.
Now that recreational marijuana has been legalized in 25 states, we now have the capacity to properly study it and compare between states,” according to him. Studies must be performed and policies put in place in response to any health concerns identified during research.
HHS recently completed an exhaustive scientific analysis on cannabis that led the Biden administration to recommend shifting cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
These new statements come just one day after Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts (R) received from Kennedy an undertaking that she will abide by scientific evidence regarding marijuana harms.
Ricketts revealed last week that he and Kennedy discussed the “importance” of restricting marijuana expansion, with Ricketts saying “RFK promised me that he would follow scientific evidence regarding marijuana’s harmful side-effects”. Now Ricketts believes “RFK committed himself to following scientific analysis on this matter”.
Last week, Sen. Feinstein filed legislation alongside Sen. James Lankford (R-OK). Their goal is to prevent marijuana companies from taking federal tax deductions even when restructuring.
Kennedy has long supported cannabis legalization; however, in his new position with DEA he stated last month that he will defer to them regarding any changes regarding rescheduling issues for marijuana products.
On Monday, President Donald Trump officially named his choice to lead DEA–selecting an 18-year agency veteran and top Virginia official who’d spoken out against marijuana’s dangers and linked its consumption to increased suicide risks among youths. That could further complicate rescheduling.
Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland told MEDCAN24 this past week that it is definitely time for him to engage with Kennedy to convince him of its harmful nature, while simultaneously encouraging limiting its usage as part of making Americans healthier.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts had asked Kennedy in advance of submitting written responses to members of the Senate Finance Committee that granted initial approval, to clarify his stance on marijuana legalization given ongoing efforts to federally reschedule cannabis.
Pence had attempted to weaken Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS secretary by raising concerns over his support of marijuana and psychedelics reform, and personal history with substance misuse.
Kennedy made an unexpected journey towards joining Donald Trump’s administration, first running as an independent candidate during the 2024 election and eventually endorsing him after trailing behind polling results.
In October, Kennedy specifically attacked the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) for suppressing “psychedelics” as part of a war against public health that will end under President Donald Trump.
One U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) official recently expressed great enthusiasm that Sen. Kennedy supported reform of psychedelics use; should he stay on for another administration, this hope can become reality.
Virginia Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal’s support of Kennedy as HHS secretary may not be shared by all. Author Michael Pollan warned that Trump’s nomination could prove “very dangerous” to the psychedelics movement–despite him supporting reform measures.
He expressed concern that any prospective nominee might pursue federal reform in such a manner that undermines scientific arguments about substances like psilocybin.
By contrast, Rick Perry–the former governor of Texas who also served in President-elect Trump’s initial administration–has recently stated that President-elect Trump’s selections of key health policy positions, including that of Kennedy–is an amazing gift to psychedelic reform movement, particularly when it comes to access to ibogaine for serious mental illness conditions.
Hawaii Senate Committees Approve Marijuana Legalization Bill Despite Similar Plan Being Stopped By House
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