The US Senate has officially approved Robert F. Kenedy Jr as the new head of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
On Thursday, the controversial Republican pick won a close 52-48 vote, seeing him take control of a $1 trillion health budget.
Despite his controversial views on vaccines, there is some optimism among the cannabis community about the new head of the HHS, especially following the recent appointment of a major cannabis sceptic to the head of the DEA.
However, this optimism is a double-edged edged sword. While his left-field views often contain nuggets of science-based truth, they also contain worrying levels of conspiratorial falsehoods.
In an editorial from the New York Post, published when RFK Jr was still running as a presidential candidate, he is noted to have informed the editorial team with ‘full conviction’ that all of America’s chronic health problems began in one year in the 1980s, and that ‘pesticides, cellphones, ultrasound’ could be driving a spike in Tourette’s and peanut allergies.
It is his scepticism and vocal attacks on the US pharmaceutical industry that have offered the industry some hope, seeing him potentially shift the dial away from prescription drugs like opioids towards more experimental treatments.
Furthermore, he has criticized the FDA over its ‘aggressive suppression of psychadelics’, while blaming the US healthcare system for forcing citizens to rely on ‘pills and potions’ rather than making them healthy.
Emily Paxhia, Managing Partner at Poseidon Investment Management, said: “RFK being confirmed demonstrates that the American perspective on health is shifting to a less conventional and more exploratory mindset.
“Cannabis sits squarely in the middle of this shift in the health zeitgeist. Tired of pharmaceutical regimes that require a lifelong dependency, accompanied by a litany of side effects, people are choosing to explore cannabis and other wellness avenues.
“Data shows that in states where cannabis is legalized, opioid addiction declines. Cannabis isn’t for everyone, but it seems that people are no longer accepting the status quo of what is being prescribed. Freedom of choice and freedom to determine a better, healthier lifestyle is an aspect of the new American dream.”
His rhetoric seems in keeping with this so far. Kennedy was careful to avoid making concrete commitments during his confirmation hearings, stating that he would ‘follow the science’ when evaluating cannabis’ legal classification.
Regarding rescheduling, he stated in a written response to the Senate Finance Committee: “If confirmed, I look forward to reviewing the reasoning behind the FDA’s conclusion and following the law.”
