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A Call for Stricter Marijuana Policies to Make America Healthy Again

by Kaia

The Trump-Vance administration has an unprecedented opportunity to combat the escalating consequences of drug normalization, particularly concerning marijuana. Recent trends suggest Americans are growing skeptical of cannabis legalization, as evidenced by the rejection of 7 out of the last 10 state-level ballot measures aimed at legalizing the drug.

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With highly potent marijuana now widely available, a focus on prevention is essential. Federal agencies must prioritize public health, mitigate the harmful outcomes of legalization, and adopt policies grounded in science.

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HHS: A Central Role in Drug Policy

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is uniquely positioned to spearhead initiatives aimed at curbing marijuana use and holding the cannabis industry accountable. For example, the rise of “cannabis cafes,” such as those recently legalized in California, has brought secondhand marijuana smoke to the forefront of public health concerns. Studies reveal that this smoke contains many of the same carcinogens as tobacco and is even more harmful. Given the success of banning indoor cigarette smoking, HHS should enforce strict regulations to prohibit indoor marijuana use in public spaces.

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Transparency within the medical marijuana sector is also urgently needed. HHS could establish a registry of doctors who recommend medical marijuana, providing data on prescribing patterns, geographic trends, and potential financial ties to the cannabis industry. Such a database would help expose “pot mills” reminiscent of the “pill mills” that fueled the opioid crisis. A recent investigation in Pennsylvania revealed that some doctors were issuing thousands of medical marijuana cards annually—practices that warrant closer scrutiny.

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Protecting Scientific Integrity in Drug Scheduling

Recent moves by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to lower the standards for rescheduling marijuana risk setting a dangerous precedent. The agency’s shift could pave the way for other high-risk substances, such as psychedelics, to be downgraded. HHS should reinforce adherence to the established five-factor test for evaluating a drug’s medical use, ensuring decisions remain evidence-based.

The administration must reject proposals to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III substance. The drug does not meet the legal criteria, and such a move would primarily benefit corporations by allowing them to claim tax deductions, further fueling an industry driven by addiction. With 30% of marijuana users developing dependency, federal policy must focus on connecting individuals to effective treatment rather than enabling corporate profits.

Law Enforcement’s Role in Accountability

Federal law enforcement must take a proactive stance against marijuana-related offenses. The Justice Department has the authority to target dispensaries engaged in illegal activities, prevent distribution to minors, and curb drug-impaired driving. Revoking the Obama-era Cole Memo was a step in the right direction, but enforcement must go further to dismantle the industry’s worst actors.

Illegal marijuana operations, particularly on federal lands, also demand urgent attention. These sites often involve organized crime and introduce harmful chemicals into the environment. A robust crackdown on these operations is necessary to safeguard both public safety and natural ecosystems.

Reinvigorating Anti-Drug Messaging

A modernized national anti-drug media campaign is critical to educating the public, especially young people, about the dangers of drug use. The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) should expand its efforts to disseminate prevention messages across traditional and social media. Programs like the Drug-Free Communities Support Program and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas initiative are pivotal and must receive sustained funding to continue their impactful work.

A Comprehensive Path Forward

While addressing all forms of substance abuse is essential, marijuana cannot be overlooked. With its high addiction potential and a profit-driven industry fueling its proliferation, federal accountability is long overdue. If the Trump-Vance administration truly aims to “make America healthy again,” a comprehensive, science-based approach to drug policy must be at the forefront—starting with a critical evaluation of marijuana’s role in public health and safety.

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