Donald Trump’s nominee for the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), former Congressman Dave Weldon, has a history of opposing marijuana reform. Weldon, a physician, has stated that marijuana has no medical value and has accused advocates of using cancer and AIDS patients as a “prop” to push for legalization. He has also referred to the idea that cannabis has medical uses as “virtually lunacy.”
During his time in Congress, Weldon voted against amendments to protect state medical cannabis programs from federal interference. He has also expressed support for the “gateway drug” theory, claiming that marijuana use can lead to the use of harder drugs like heroin.
Weldon’s views on marijuana are at odds with those of many medical professionals and researchers, who have found that cannabis can be an effective treatment for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, and seizures. His nomination to head the CDC has raised concerns among advocates for marijuana reform, who fear that he may undermine efforts to improve access to medical cannabis and to reduce the stigma surrounding its use.
It’s worth noting that Weldon is not the only Trump nominee with mixed views on marijuana. Trump’s pick to run the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also expressed skepticism about the medical benefits of cannabis, while his choice for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has expressed support for ending marijuana prohibition and legalizing certain psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
