Former President Donald Trump delivered a speech at a National Rifle Association (NRA) event on Friday where he insisted that the uptick in U.S. mass shootings was “not a gun problem." Instead, he blatantly suggested that "genetically engineered" cannabis and the trans community ought to be investigated.

"This is a mental health problem. This is a social problem. This is a cultural problem. This is a spiritual problem,” he said.

Trump, who slashed the budget for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) during his previous administration, is now saying he will direct the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to create a panel to "look at whether common psychiatric drugs, as well as genetically engineered cannabis and other narcotics, are causing psychotic breaks."

During the speech, Trump also said that he would direct an FDA committee to study whether “transgender hormone treatment and ideology” increases “the risk of extreme depression, aggression, and even violence.”

"I think most of us already know the answer don't we," Trump said.

Studies show the contrary: that trans people are four times more likely to experience violence and abuse compared to cis people, and that discrimination and stigmatization leads to more stress and depression.

‘Spiritual Problem’

It remains unclear what Trump meant by the term “genetically engineered” cannabis, but he could have been alluding to the recent boom in high-potency marijuana products.

Although there are no scientific studies that prove this correlation theory, last year in June, in a segment on Fox News, Laura Ingraham insinuated that there was a link between the legalization of cannabis and mass shootings.

Trump has also said that all drug crimes should be punishable by death.

Many marijuana advocates find the notion of connecting cannabis to gun violence as ridiculous.

Trump's Momentum: The former US President has raised more than $34 million for his race for the White House in 2024. Politico attributed the candidate's fundraising success to his recent indictment.

Next: Trump Will Most Likely Lose To Biden In 2024, Former AG Says - 'He's Weakest Of Candidates'

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Shealah Craighead on Wikimedia Commons and Kym MacKinnon on Unsplash