Robert F. Kennedy's Confirmation: Cannabis Advocates Question His New Vow To 'Follow The Science' On Marijuana's Harms

The Thursday Senate vote to confirm the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), elicited various responses from the cannabis industry and legalization advocates.

In the 52 to 48 vote, with Sen. Mitch McConnell the only Republican to vote “no,” every democrat voted against RFK’s nomination. 

As secretary of health, Kennedy will oversee several important health agencies including the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Kennedy And Cannabis? Great Question

Kennedy, who vowed to legalize cannabis during his 2023 presidential campaign, said in a November 2023 interview that the legalization of marijuana was a way to help "solve America's drug addiction problem."  

Now Kennedy is saying that he’ll “follow the science on the harms of marijuana," according to Marijuana Moment. Kennedy also said recently that he would defer to the DEA on marijuana rescheduling, or lack thereof, in his new role.

The outlet said that Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-NE) disclosed last week that he’d spoken to Kennedy about the importance of "preventing the expansion of marijuana" and that "RFK committed to me that he would follow the science on the harms of marijuana."

Follow The Science? Not Kennedy’s Strong Point

Emily Paxhia, managing partner of Poseidon Investment Management, looked at Kennedy’s confirmation on the bright side. She pointed to data showing that in states where cannabis is legalized, opioid addiction has declined.

"RFK being confirmed demonstrates that the American perspective on ‘health' is shifting to a less conventional and more exploratory mindset. Cannabis sits squarely in the middle of this shift in the health zeitgeist,” Paxhia told Benzinga. “Tired of pharmaceutical regimes that require a lifelong dependency, accompanied by a litany of side effects, people are choosing to explore cannabis and other wellness avenues."

Jeremy Berke of Cultivated Daily looked at the broader view, starting with President Donald Trump’s flip-flop on the issue.

“Trump posted in favor of cannabis reform on the campaign trail, but has been quiet ever since. It doesn't appear to be an issue he wants to expend political capital on within his own party, but we can only hope we're wrong,” Berke said.

Now Read:

• Robert F. Kennedy, Vaccine Skeptic, Confirmed As Trump’s Secretary Of Health: Health Care Stocks To Watch

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