Trump Administration’s Funding Cuts Threaten Cannabis

 

Trump Administration’s Funding Cuts Threaten Cannabis Research and Marijuana Rescheduling

The Trump administration’s decision to slash federal research funding is jeopardizing 565 ongoing cannabis studies and freezing new National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. This move could have far-reaching consequences for cannabis legalization, marijuana rescheduling, and the $32 billion regulated cannabis industry.

Funding Cuts and Their Impact
On February 7, the NIH announced drastic reductions in “indirect costs” covered by federal grants, capping them at 15%. These funds are crucial for administrative and facility expenses, and without them, research institutions may be forced to halt studies.

Angela Bryan, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder, warns that the cuts will effectively end her cannabis research, which includes studies on high-THC marijuana and its potential benefits for pain management, mood disorders, and sleep.

Universities quickly filed lawsuits to block the cuts, leading to a temporary freeze on the policy. However, the uncertainty has left researchers in limbo, raising concerns that their work could be shut down at any moment.

Ripple Effects on the Cannabis Industry
The lack of federal funding for cannabis research could significantly impact the marijuana industry, making it difficult to counter claims about the potential risks of high-potency THC products. Additionally, lawmakers skeptical of legalization may use the research gap to justify policy rollbacks.

Cannabis research is already underfunded compared to other sectors, despite some state-funded initiatives like those at UCLA. The NIH has historically been a major source of funding, supporting large-scale, high-impact studies that state grants cannot match.

Major Research Projects at Risk
NIH data reveals that $320 million is allocated to cannabis-related research, funding projects such as:
– A large-scale study in Florida on brain development and child health.
– A cannabis research center in Colorado** examining THC and CBD effects.
– A California study exploring how teenage marijuana use affects adult brain function.

These projects, and many others, are now at risk of losing funding, potentially setting cannabis research back years.

The Uncertain Future of Marijuana Rescheduling
The funding cuts could also stall marijuana rescheduling. The Biden administration had proposed moving cannabis from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 under the Controlled Substances Act. However, a key argument for rescheduling was the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) 2023 finding that cannabis has “currently accepted medical use.”

Following Trump’s return to office, the rescheduling process was put on hold. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) paused hearings on the matter in January, pending an appeal. If Trump’s nominee for DEA administrator, Terrance Cole—a known cannabis critic—is confirmed, rescheduling may face further delays.

Adding to the uncertainty, newly confirmed Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has avoided endorsing cannabis rescheduling. He recently assured Republican Senator Pete Ricketts that he would “follow the science on marijuana harms,” signaling a possible shift in federal policy.

A Setback for Cannabis Research and Policy
The sudden halt in cannabis research funding and the potential rollback of marijuana rescheduling could have lasting effects on both the scientific community and the legal cannabis industry. With the research momentum of recent years now in jeopardy, experts worry that political decisions will override scientific findings, leaving the future of cannabis policy uncertain.