Summary
Removes federal barriers and creates grant programs for universities to study the medical and agricultural uses of marijuana.
What does this bill do?
Creates grant programs for marijuana research
Establishes two grant programs, each funded with $15 million per year from 2026 to 2030. One program is for studying medical benefits, and the other is for studying agricultural uses.
Allows universities to obtain marijuana for research
Permits universities in states where marijuana is legal to get it from state or tribal sources for research purposes. However, marijuana from law enforcement cannot be given to human test subjects.
Protects students and researchers from penalties
Prevents students and university employees from losing federal aid, funding, or facing negative immigration consequences for participating in approved marijuana research.
Reference
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Section:
Sec. 3
Header:
Drug Enforcement Administration license process to study marijuana
Establishes an office to help university researchers
Requires the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to create an Office of University Relations. This office will help universities and researchers with the process of applying for licenses to study controlled substances.
Creates a working group to streamline research
Forms a working group with members from the NIH, FDA, and DEA to create recommendations on how to make the process for studying marijuana at universities simpler and faster.
Requires reporting on research applications
Directs the Attorney General to submit an annual report to Congress on the number of applications received for marijuana research licenses, their status, and the reasons for any denials.
Gives priority to university applications
Amends the Controlled Substances Act to give priority to research license applications from institutions of higher education or government entities.
Who does this affect?
- University researchers and scientists
- Colleges and universities
- Students
What is the real world impact?
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Expands scientific understanding
Allows scientists to properly study marijuana's potential medical benefits, public health effects, and agricultural uses. Current federal rules make this research almost impossible, leaving many questions unanswered.
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Protects students and researchers
Ensures that students and university staff who take part in approved marijuana research do not lose federal student aid, funding, or face immigration problems. This removes a major risk for people wanting to study the substance.
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A step toward policy change
Gathers scientific data that could be used to inform future federal laws about marijuana. By funding and simplifying research, the government can make more educated decisions about cannabis policy in the future.
What problem does this solve?
Federal laws make it very difficult for scientists at universities to study marijuana, even in states where it is legal. This bill removes those federal roadblocks and provides money for universities to research marijuana's potential benefits and uses.
When does this start?
This bill sets up several deadlines for creating new programs and reports after it becomes law.
New grant programs and DEA office
The grant programs for medical and agricultural research and the DEA's Office of University Relations must be established within 90 days of the bill becoming law.
First report on research licenses
The Attorney General must submit the first report on the status of marijuana research license applications within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
Research working group
The National Institutes of Health must create a working group to find ways to simplify marijuana research within 180 days of the bill becoming law.
Working group recommendations
The working group must submit its report and recommendations to Congress within one year of the bill becoming law.