Nearly a year ago, US President Donald Trump hinted that a return to the White House could mean a significant policy shift on marijuana, one aimed at making it easier for adults to access safe products and allowing states greater freedom to pursue legalisation. While the promise has not been fleshed out in detail, his recent remarks have reignited speculation about where he stands on the issue.
Over a recent dinner at his private club in Bedminster, New Jersey, Trump addressed a small group of donors. After touching on New York politics and recalling a move against the nation’s top economic statistician, the discussion reportedly turned to marijuana policy. “We need to look at that,” Trump said, according to attendees. “That’s something we’re going to look at.”
The comment, though brief, suggested Trump remains open to revisiting federal restrictions, an area where policy and politics intersect sharply, especially as more states move toward legalisation.
ALSO READ: Oscar Winning Actress Reveals Trump’s 1998 Romantic Attempt, Called Her After Divorce And Said ‘I Would Love To…’
History Of Scepticism
During Trump’s first term, Soviet-born Republican donors Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman lobbied him to support their plan to sell marijuana in states where recreational use was legal. Secretly recorded audio from a 2018 dinner revealed Trump’s hesitancy at the time. “It does cause an IQ problem; you lose IQ points,” he reportedly told the pair, reflecting a long-held scepticism toward marijuana use.
That same conversation also touched on unrelated political matters, including the suggestion by Ukrainian-born Parnas to remove US Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch.
The Wall Street Journal reported that among the Bedminster dinner guests was Kim Rivers, CEO of Trulieve, one of the nation’s largest marijuana companies. Rivers reportedly urged Trump to consider reforms, including expanding medical marijuana research.
Her presence underscores the growing push from cannabis industry leaders to influence national policy. Despite legalisation in many states, marijuana remains illegal under federal law, creating significant regulatory and banking hurdles for the sector.
ALSO READ: ‘India Is A Great Power’: US Economist Slams Trump’s Tariffs On Indian Goods, Calls It Unconstitutional
In a statement to CNN, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said, “When it comes to marijuana, all policy and legal requirements and implications are being considered. The only interest guiding the president’s policy decision is what is in the best interest of the American people.”