During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said there are “some benefits” to cannabis from a medical perspective but also “some harms that we have to consider” when lawmakers craft policy.

Further, the surgeon general said he doesn’t think there is “value” to society by incarcerating people for cannabis use.

“I don’t think that serves anybody well. But I do think that in terms of our approach to marijuana, I worry that when we don’t let science guide our process in policy-making—and as surgeon general that’s my role is to work with policy-makers to work with members in the community and the general public to help people understand what science tells us and where you have gaps, to help fill those gaps with research and with honest inquiry.”—Murthy in a “State of the Union” interview, July 18, 2021