In a significant bipartisan effort, lawmakers in Congress have reintroduced a bill aimed at establishing a federal cannabis research agenda and designating “Centers of Excellence in Cannabis Research” at universities. This legislative move, spearheaded by Reps. Scott Peters (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH), underscores a renewed push for comprehensive scientific inquiry into marijuana.

National Cannabis Research Agenda

The proposed legislation mandates collaboration among federal agencies, including NIH, CDC, and SAMHSA, to develop a national cannabis research agenda. This agenda will address critical gaps in evidence, focusing on issues such as cannabis’s efficacy in treating medical conditions and its impact on public health.

Designation of Centers of Excellence

Under the bill, NIH will designate universities as “Centers of Excellence in Cannabis Research.” These centers will conduct interdisciplinary studies on cannabis-related biomedical, behavioral, and social issues. Institutions must demonstrate research capabilities, coordinate studies across disciplines, and offer academic courses on cannabis topics.

Funding and Research Support

NIH will allocate up to $50 million annually from 2024 to 2028 to support these Centers of Excellence. Researchers at these centers will be empowered to study cannabis without fear of legal repercussions, streamlining the process for obtaining marijuana for research purposes from state-legal dispensaries.

Public Health Surveillance and Data Collection

The legislation also mandates federal agencies to conduct surveillance activities to gather population-wide data on cannabis use. This includes collecting data on health outcomes, demographics, and usage patterns across different age groups and populations.

Support and Legislative Context

The bill builds on previous efforts to facilitate cannabis research and reflects bipartisan support for advancing scientific understanding in this field. It comes amidst broader discussions on federal cannabis policy reform and aligns with recent moves by the Biden administration to potentially reclassify marijuana under federal law.

With widespread support from stakeholders and advocacy groups like NORML, the reintroduction of this bill marks a critical step towards enabling comprehensive research into cannabis. By establishing a clear federal agenda and supporting designated research centers, lawmakers aim to foster informed policymaking and promote public health.

Impact and Future Outlook

As Congress deliberates on this legislation, stakeholders anticipate its potential to enhance medical research, support safer communities, and shape future cannabis policies at the federal level.