The cannabis community has been in a holding pattern as federal policy is debated. Operators and advocates are hungry for answers, as the industry seemingly lies in the balance. Now, a pro-CBD social media post on President Trump’s feed has a lot of people talking, with many wondering if it’s a preview of what’s to come.
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Over the weekend, a video touting the benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) for seniors was posted on Donald Trump’s Truth Social account. The clip discusses the endocannabinoid system and how CBD can help support it, particularly in relation to the aging population.
“Older adults are suffering needlessly. Hemp-derived CBD can help them feel better, live longer, and improve their quality of life significantly,” the voiceover said.
The video features a clip from a Fox News segment stating that integrating CBD into the American healthcare system could result in an annual savings of roughly $64 billion. It concludes with a call to action that would be “the most important senior health initiative of the century.”
“It’s time to educate doctors on the endocannabinoid system, provide Medicare coverage for CBD, and give millions of seniors the support they deserve.”
The video was produced by the Commonwealth Project, a group advocating for the adoption of medical cannabis in mainstream senior care. Businessman Howard Kessler, the group’s founder, is a close friend of Trump’s.
Trump CBD post may preview federal policy shift
The Trump administration is currently mulling moving cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, with the president suggesting a decision is imminent. Meanwhile, Congress is considering walking back language in the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp nationwide so long as it contains no more than 0.3 percent THC by dry weight. A proposal to ban hemp products with any quantifiable amount of THC is currently being debated.
Speculation around the post exploded, with stakeholders, activists, and cannabis consumers alike offering their thoughts on what it could mean. Many wondered if the video was a hint of what was to come regarding plant policy.
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Dana Cisneros, a California-based attorney, told GreenState that the part of the video urging CBD to be part of the healthcare industry aligns with a broader shift toward Schedule III. This includes the proposed changes to the hemp market.
“They will end up putting everything but CBD [isolate] into state-controlled programs like pharma now, where it’s controlled by public health departments,” Cisneros said. “That fits with the language of Schedule III.”
Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, disagreed, telling GreenState he believes the bifurcated hemp and cannabis markets will remain as such.
“The video makes such a strong statement that we need to have hemp-derived CBD available to more Americans, particularly to senior citizens. And the best way to do that is to ensure that it is available at retail and that it is properly regulated. [It] is going to be very important for senior citizens who don’t necessarily want to walk into a dispensary to get their CBD.”
Miller added that he perceived the video as an endorsement of CBD and hopes the messaging will reinforce arguments against a Congressional hemp ban.
“It is really heartwarming to have the president, in his unique way, make such a strong statement on behalf of hemp-derived CBD.”
“I feel like it’s really misleading…”
Along with theories as to what the Trump administration is planning in terms of pot policy, plenty of conjecture about the video centered on ulterior motives. Many online comments argued that the post was a distraction from other, more pressing issues.
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Others claimed it was a way for Trump to win political favor or an attempt to boost cannabis stocks. Pot stocks did indeed jump this morning on the heels of the perceived endorsement by Trump. However, the motivations were likely broader than simple stock market gains.
“President Trump’s post is the strongest signal yet that movement on cannabis policy may be imminent. No sitting president has ever publicly pushed for Medicare to cover cannabinoids, and that alone is historic,” said Adam Stettner, CEO of FundCanna, in a statement sent to GreenState.
Some in the cannabis community cautioned against the video’s broad health claims. Industry advisor Kate Avruch worried that older adults will see the content and make assumptions about the safety of CBD without the proper information about its possible contraindications. She pointed out that many seniors are on multiple medications and may have co-existing conditions that CBD could exacerbate.
“My biggest concern is that people are going to hear this message who are not familiarized with the nuances of the terminology, that they’re going to take this as, ‘oh, CBD is great for all seniors.’ I feel like it’s really misleading,” Avruch told GreenState.
At the end of the day, it’s hard to discern precisely what the Trump administration was trying to say with the post, or if they were saying anything at all. With the cannabis industry desperate for answers, it’s easy to speculate. The only thing that is certain is that no one actually knows what will come next.
