Cannabis Pros Hail RFK Jr’s Confirmation As HHS Secretary As Positive Step
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as the Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump, which could benefit the legal cannabis industry.
- During his presidential campaign, Kennedy expressed support for legalizing cannabis and using tax revenue to fund addiction treatment facilities.
- Industry professionals see Kennedy's appointment as a positive step towards regulatory reform and potential federal cannabis rescheduling.
- There is cautious optimism among industry experts, with expectations of significant industry growth if cannabis is rescheduled from Schedule I to Schedule III.
He may be one of the most polarizing figures to join a presidential Cabinet, but Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Trump could be auspicious for the legal cannabis industry.
A longtime vaccine skeptic, Kennedy maintained a pro-cannabis stance during his presidential campaign, stating he would legalize cannabis and use the tax revenue to fund rehabilitation facilities that would help treat people with addiction. For some industry professionals and champions who have been frustrated by the stalled progress in regulatory reform, particularly the rescheduling of cannabis with its delayed and postponed hearings, Kennedy’s appointment and subsequent confirmation are being hailed as a step forward.
Bryan Gerber, CEO of Hara Supply, a Las Vegas-based pre-rolled cones manufacturer, viewed Kennedy’s confirmation as the country’s leading health chief as a positive step, albeit with cautious optimism.
“Though RFK Jr. has previously been publicly supportive of cannabis legalization and expanding research on the topic,” said Gerber, “it remains to be seen whether we are looking at any upcoming policy shifts, including federal reform. Should this administration seek to push through the proposed reclassification of cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, we will be looking at a period of significant industry growth, including expanded access to banking, tax benefits and more.”
Emily Paxhia, a managing partner at cannabis-focused investment firm Poseidon Asset Management, believes that Kennedy’s confirmation as health and human services secretary only further demonstrates the country’s perspective on healthcare is expanding to more exploratory and less conventional treatments.
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