The Trump Administration’s Federal Research Cuts Endanger Cannabis Studies and Raise Serious Questions About Rescheduling

The Trump administration’s decision to slash federal research funding is poised to jeopardize 565 ongoing cannabis studies, as revealed by a review and discussions with researchers. The simultaneous freeze on new National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants has also cast uncertainty over the future of marijuana-related research, further complicating the ongoing efforts to reschedule cannabis at the federal level. This move could have significant ramifications for the regulated cannabis industry, which relies on scientific studies to counteract regulatory concerns and legal challenges.

NIH Indirect Cost Reductions Could Halt Key Cannabis Research

On February 7, the NIH announced plans to limit “indirect costs” associated with research grants to a maximum of 15%. These funds traditionally help cover essential administrative and facility-related expenses. Without this support, many institutions will be unable to sustain their research efforts.

Angela Bryan, a psychology and neuroscience professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasized the dire situation. Bryan’s work focuses on the impact of high-THC cannabis on pain management, mood disorders, and sleep patterns.

As a response, universities swiftly sued to block these cuts, putting the NIH’s plans on hold. However, the uncertainty surrounding the litigation has left researchers in limbo, with the looming possibility of abrupt funding termination.

Lack of Reliable Research Could Hurt the Cannabis Industry’s Legal Standing

The threat to cannabis research extends beyond academia. Without credible scientific studies, the $32 billion marijuana industry could face mounting legal and political challenges. The absence of reliable data could weaken the industry’s ability to refute claims regarding the potential risks of high-potency cannabis products. It may also impede responses to skeptical lawmakers who are resistant to legalization and regulatory reform.

Dr. Ziva Cooper, director of UCLA’s Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, echoed these concerns: “We’re all very concerned, because of the unpredictable nature in which things are heading.”

Researchers Fear Their Work Could Come to a Halt

While federal funding is not the sole source of financial support for cannabis research, it plays a crucial role. Some institutions, like UCLA, receive state funding derived from marijuana sales tax revenues. However, NIH grants remain the backbone of most large-scale, high-impact studies.

Bryan, who leads three cannabis-related research projects, including one focused on palliative care for cancer patients, described the rising anxiety among researchers: “The level of anxiety is higher than I’ve ever seen it. On a scale of 1 to 10, this is a 12.” She warned that her lab alone employs nearly 30 people, all of whom could lose their jobs if funding is withdrawn.

Compounding these concerns, the Trump administration has also put a hold on reviewing new cannabis study proposals, leaving many research initiatives in limbo indefinitely. This is despite campaign signals suggesting that the administration might be supportive of marijuana reform.

A Decade of Progress in Cannabis Research Faces Reversal

The NIH’s database lists 565 ongoing cannabis-related research projects, amounting to $320 million in funding. These include:

The nation’s largest long-term study on brain development and child health, based in Florida.

A cannabis research center in Colorado studying THC and CBD’s effects.

A California-based study examining whether teenage marijuana use impairs adult brain function.

While cannabis research represents only a fraction of the federal government’s $47 billion annual biomedical research budget, it has gained momentum in recent years. In 2012, the year Colorado and Washington legalized recreational marijuana, researchers published approximately 1,200 cannabis-related studies. By 2021, this number had surged to over 4,200.

Research Funding Cuts Could Derail Marijuana Rescheduling Efforts

The uncertainty surrounding cannabis research is particularly troubling given its potential impact on marijuana rescheduling. The Biden administration had recommended reclassifying marijuana from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 of the Controlled Substances Act, based on an August 2023 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) report that recognized cannabis’s accepted medical use.

However, in January, hearings before the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s chief administrative law judge were paused pending an appeal. The decision to proceed now rests solely with the DEA, which, if Trump’s nominee Terrance Cole is confirmed as its leader, could see a return to a more restrictive stance on cannabis.

During his recent confirmation hearings, newly appointed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refrained from endorsing HHS’s findings and assured skeptical lawmakers that he would “follow the science on the harms of marijuana.” His stance raises concerns that federal marijuana reform may face significant obstacles under the Trump administration.

A Pivotal Moment for Cannabis Research and Policy

The federal government’s funding cuts and grant freezes have placed cannabis research at a crossroads. If funding remains restricted, scientists may struggle to provide the data needed to support marijuana rescheduling and regulatory advancements. Moreover, the cannabis industry may find itself vulnerable to lawsuits and political opposition in the absence of robust scientific evidence.

As the legal battles over research funding continue, the future of cannabis science hangs in the balance. Whether the Trump administration’s policies will permanently hinder cannabis studies and reform remains to be seen, but the uncertainty alone is already causing significant disruptions.