“I hear stories all the time of the impacts of marijuana on people—and the really catastrophic impacts on them.”
~ Robert F. Kennedy Jr., United States Secretary of Health and Human Services
Now that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as the new United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, the marijuana paradigm has shifted considerably in the USA.
A Shift in Approach
During recent years, there has been a strong push to reschedule marijuana and to expand medical and recreational access to the drug.
As a presidential candidate, RFK supported cannabis legalization. As HHS Secretary, his approach appears more cautious and nuanced.”
For example, when asked if he agreed with the FDA’s conclusion that cannabis has some medical and/or therapeutic use and if he supported rescheduling, RFK answered, “…I look forward to reviewing the reasoning behind the FDA’s conclusion and following the law.”
He also declined to support the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment, and Expungement (MORE) Act and the Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), saying he had not carried out a “deep study” of the proposed legislation.
Notably, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska stated, “RFK committed to me that he would follow the science on the harms of marijuana.”
These are the words of someone with an open mind.
Time to Speak Up
“Marijuana is harmful. We should definitely have a talk with RFK Jr. I mean, the bottom line is: We should keep Americans healthy by limiting the use of marijuana.”
~ Andy Harris, U.S. Representative for the State of Maryland
Representative Harris—who is also a Doctor—is absolutely right. Now is the time to make our voices heard. HHS Secretary Kennedy has pledged to “Make America Healthy Again,” and we have the unique opportunity to ensure he keeps that promise.
More than just an opportunity, it is also our responsibility.
Suppose you or someone you care about has been harmed by marijuana or the normalization of marijuana in America. In that case, we encourage you to share your unique story with RFK Jr. using this email: secretary@hhs.gov.
More powerful than dry statistics alone, your personal stories put a face on the drug crisis in this country and show how it impacts individuals, families, and society as a whole.
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