President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that relaxes federal restrictions on marijuana and initiates a Medicare pilot program for CBD products. This decision follows a year-long campaign by the cannabis industry that utilized traditional lobbying, political contributions, and direct outreach to the White House. Industry advocates consider this a significant victory, reframing marijuana as a pro-business issue rather than solely a social one, which is believed to have influenced Trump’s stance.
Key figures behind this policy shift include Howard Kessler, a longtime friend of Trump; Kim Rivers, CEO of cannabis company Trulieve; and Tony Fabrizio, Trump’s pollster. Kessler, a leukemia survivor, has advocated for the medical benefits of cannabis, particularly for seniors, since 2019 and founded The Commonwealth Project to promote this cause. The White House referred to Kessler’s role as pivotal, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledging his influence.
Rivers, who has developed a close rapport with the Trump administration, emphasized the need for safe, regulated cannabis products. Her company Trulieve has backed Trump financially and played a key role in attempting to pass a Florida ballot initiative for recreational cannabis, which ultimately failed. Fabrizio, who provided polling data indicating significant public support for marijuana reform, reinforced the sentiment that younger voters are particularly in favor of loosening restrictions.
The executive order is expected to expand access to new treatments, reflecting a significant shift in the administration’s approach to cannabis regulation.
Why this story matters:
- The decision marks a potential shift in U.S. cannabis policy towards legalization and regulation.
Key takeaway:
- Industry advocacy and strategic political relationships played a crucial role in influencing this policy change.
Opposing viewpoint:
- Despite this move, there are ongoing efforts among some lawmakers to tighten drug regulations, showing a divide within political perspectives on cannabis.
