Senator Warren Seeks Clarification from RFK Jr. on Cannabis Legalization and Rescheduling

LOS ANGELES- Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) has formally requested that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), clarify his stance on cannabis legalization and rescheduling. In a comprehensive 34-page letter, Senator Warren posed 175 questions covering various policy areas, including substance abuse, opioid crisis management, and cannabis reform.

Highlighting Kennedy’s previous statements during his presidential campaign, where he advocated for the legalization of cannabis and the allocation of tax revenues to fund substance use disorder programs, Senator Warren inquired about his support for legislative measures such as the Marijuana Opportunity, Reinvestment and Expungement (MORE) Act and the Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA). These acts aim to legalize cannabis at the federal level and provide resources for substance misuse treatment.

Furthermore, Senator Warren addressed the ongoing federal efforts to reschedule cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). She questioned whether Kennedy agrees with the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) assessment recommending this change and sought clarification on his approach to cannabis scheduling if confirmed as HHS Secretary.

This inquiry aligns with Senator Warren’s consistent advocacy for comprehensive cannabis reform. She has previously urged federal agencies to deschedule cannabis entirely, emphasizing that rescheduling to Schedule III, while a positive step, would not address all the issues associated with its current classification.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly expressed support for the legalization of both cannabis and certain psychedelics, proposing the use of tax revenues from these substances to fund recovery programs. His plan includes establishing “healing centers” focused on addiction treatment and rehabilitation.

The Senate Finance Committee is expected to review Kennedy’s responses during his confirmation hearing, assessing his positions on these critical public health issues. The outcome will have significant implications for the future direction of federal cannabis policy and substance abuse treatment programs.