Washington, D.C.—Monday saw the marijuana industry abuzz with news that President Trump had posted a video on Truth Social arguing that CBD has wide medical benefits for older Americans.
Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) CEO Kevin A. Sabet said in response: “Big Marijuana boosters shouldn’t get too excited. If the past is any guide, these posts typically have very little to do with formal policy positions. We don’t know if President Trump even watched the video!
“Besides, this late Sunday afternoon post isn’t even about marijuana or delta-8 THC. The marijuana industry is grasping at straws if they are trying to make this post about pot. Medicare coverage for CBD simply is not a prominent topic of discussion on Capitol Hill. And the President’s position on CBD, which we have zero reason to seriously believe the video expresses, doesn’t change the fact that rescheduling appears to have stopped in its tracks. Nor does it undercut the overwhelming support Americans and their lawmakers have shown for getting hemp-derived THC off gas station shelves. If the President wants to protect CBD, the efforts to ban hemp-derived THC—which SAM played a central role in guiding our lawmakers on—will do just that.
“In typical fashion, the marijuana industry is reading into this post too much. Opening up a discussion about non-intoxicating cannabinoids has nothing to do with legalizing marijuana. I hope the President takes a nuanced approach to CBD. Real patients can and should have access to treatment, including CBD-based drugs deemed safe and effective by the FDA. Epidiolex is a CBD-based FDA-approved drug that Medicare already covers. What everyone should be cautious of is the use of non-FDA approved CBD products. Those have been known to have real negative side effects including liver toxicity.
“This is all smoke and no fire.”
###