RFK Jr. says he will leave the decision on marijuana rescheduling to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) if confirmed as secretary of HHS.
When asked by Elizabeth Warren (D) “Do you commit to working with the DOJ and DEA to swiftly resume proceedings on the scheduling of marijuana (which are currently paused)?”
RFK Jr. responded: “I defer to the DOJ and DEA on the allocation of their resources and the development of their priorities. Consistent with all applicable laws, I will ensure that HHS’s expertise is available to assist those agencies as needed.” He goes on to say that “if an assessment backed by robust evidence concludes that marijuana has accepted medical uses, I have no reason to question that assessment.”
This answer is unsurprisingly but still noteworthy, given it’s the first comments RFK Jr. has made on rescheduling since he was nominated. The decision of whether or not to reschedule marijuana, as recommended by HHS, is completely in the hands of the DEA, regardless of RFK Jr.’s personal opinions on the matter.
A DEA judge recently cancelled a set of public hearings set to begin on January 21 that would have covered the proposal to move marijuana to Schedule III, delaying the process by at least three months but not killing it entirely.
