Trump Backs Cannabis While Starmer Says No to New Young Voters
In a striking contrast, two world leaders have taken very different approaches to cannabis policy in the same week
Former US President Donald Trump has openly endorsed the use of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) for seniors, while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ruled out legalising cannabis when asked directly by newly enfranchised 16-year-old voters.
Trump’s Cannabis Endorsement
Trump released a video backing CBD as a potential gamechanger for senior healthcare, suggesting that products could even be supported through Medicare. His remarks triggered an immediate market response, with cannabis and CBD-related stocks soaring across US exchanges.
Although the endorsement stops short of advocating for full legalisation of recreational cannabis, Trump’s emphasis on CBD reflects a growing trend in the United States toward normalising cannabis products in healthcare and wellness. It also signals a political calculation: CBD is broadly accepted across the political spectrum and has less controversy attached than high-THC cannabis products.
Starmer’s Firm “No”
Meanwhile in the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was questioned by teenagers about whether his government would legalise cannabis. His response was unequivocal: “No, I’m afraid not.” The remark comes just as Labour pushes to lower the voting age to 16, a move intended to increase youth engagement in politics.
This creates an unusual dynamic: younger citizens are being given a stronger political voice, but one of the issues that resonates most with them — drug reform — appears to have been dismissed outright. For many, this may highlight the gap between symbolic democratic reform and meaningful policy change.
A Tale of Two Policies
The contrast between Trump and Starmer underlines the divergent paths being taken internationally. In the US, cannabis policy is increasingly shaped by market forces, state-level legalisation, and shifting public opinion. In the UK, cannabis remains tightly restricted under the Misuse of Drugs Act, with medical access limited and recreational use still criminalised.
CTA’s Perspective
For the Cannabis Trades Association, these developments are more than political soundbites — they reflect a global momentum toward reform that the UK cannot afford to ignore.
“The shift in the United States underlines why the UK must not fall behind,” said Marika Graham-Woods, Managing Director of the CTA. “Cannabis and hemp represent growing industries with significant potential for healthcare, sustainability, and the wider economy. It is vital that the UK engages with evidence-based reform rather than risk being left on the sidelines.”
As international attitudes evolve, the debate in Britain will continue. What remains clear is that while some world leaders are embracing cannabis reform as a strategic opportunity, others remain hesitant to open the discussion at all.
