TRUMP WANTS CBD COVERED BY MEDICARE, BUT WHO REALLY BENEFITS?
- Hype Mag Official
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
Trump Reignites the CBD Medicare Conversation
Donald Trump has reignited the Tree conversation by sharing a video on X advocating for Medicare coverage of hemp derived CBD for seniors. Produced by the Commonwealth Project, the video highlights CBD’s potential to ease pain, improve sleep, and reduce reliance on addictive pharmaceuticals. It also cites a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) report suggesting Medicare could save nearly $64 billion annually if medical cannabis replaced more expensive prescriptions.
A Promise of Federal Reform
Trump suggested Tree rescheduling, moving it from Schedule I to Schedule III, could happen “in the next few weeks,” a move that would mark one of the most significant federal cannabis reforms in decades.
Advocates Warn of Big Pharma Control
While the pitch appears progressive, some advocates warn it could pave the way for Big Pharma. Rescheduling would place Tree under FDA oversight, requiring clinical trials, prescriptions, and approvals, a system favoring large corporations over small farmers or independent brands.
Potential Impact on Access and Industry
Medicare coverage could further limit access, as only FDA approved products might qualify, sidelining smaller operators. The focus on seniors and CBD frames cannabis as a pharmaceutical product rather than a broader legalization issue, aligning with strategies familiar to big healthcare players.
CBD for Seniors or a Big Pharma Opportunity?
Seniors could gain safer, more affordable access to CBD, potentially reducing opioid dependence. But if rescheduling favors large corporations, small producers could be shut out, and the culture itself could shift toward corporate control.
The central question isn’t whether reform will come, but who will benefit. The future of Tree may hinge on rules and regulations that either empower communities and independent businesses or entrench Big Pharma’s dominance.
Trump’s advocacy for CBD coverage is historic but carries risks. Progress is possible, but only if reform ensures access and choice rather than substituting one monopoly for another.
Sources
Cannabis Business Times – Trump Promotes Hemp-Derived CBD for Senior Health Care
2018 Farm Bill – Hemp Legalization, Congress.gov
DEA – Controlled Substances Act Scheduling Basics
Written and Published by: @Hype_mag_official
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