HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Advocates for Reevaluating Marijuana Incarceration Policies

LOS ANGELES- In a recent interview following his confirmation as the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. addressed the issue of marijuana-related incarcerations. He emphasized the need to balance concerns over high-THC cannabis products with the reality that numerous states have legalized recreational use and that many individuals have been incarcerated for marijuana-related offenses. Kennedy stated, “That worry also has to be balanced” with these considerations, suggesting a nuanced approach to marijuana policy.

This perspective aligns with recent federal actions aimed at reevaluating marijuana’s legal status. In October 2022, President Biden announced pardons for federal offenses of simple marijuana possession and urged governors to consider similar actions at the state level. He highlighted that “sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives.”

Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services has recommended reclassifying marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, acknowledging its accepted medical use and lower potential for abuse.