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HR8394119th CongressWALLET

Higher Education Marijuana Research Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

Introduced

Summary

Expands and accelerates university marijuana research. This bill would change federal rules and create programs to make it easier for colleges and certain state or tribal entities to study marijuana for medical, public health, and agricultural uses.

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  • Protects students and researchers by preventing loss of federal student aid, federal funding, or immigration consequences for participating in covered marijuana research.
  • Eases research access and oversight by allowing eligible institutions to obtain marijuana from State or tribal regulatory bodies or law enforcement for study, by directing the Drug Enforcement Administration to weigh IHE status in license decisions and to report annually on license applications, and by creating a DEA Office of University Relations to provide technical help.
  • Funds academic study through two competitive grant programs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse would run medical-benefit grants and the U.S. Department of Agriculture would run agricultural grants. Each program would receive $15 million per year from 2026 through 2030, with priority for IHEs in legal States or tribal lands and for minority institutions.

*Would increase federal spending by about $30 million per year from 2026 through 2030, totaling roughly $150 million over that period.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Protections for college marijuana research

If enacted, colleges would be allowed to sponsor approved marijuana research without losing federal funds. Covered students and researchers in approved, controlled-setting studies would not lose federal student aid or other federal funding because of participation. The bill would also protect the immigration status of covered students and researchers. Colleges in states or on tribal land where marijuana is lawful would be able to get marijuana from state regulators or law enforcement for research, but marijuana from law enforcement could not be given to people.

DEA help and license transparency

If enacted, the DEA would have to create an Office of University Relations within 90 days to help college researchers get registrations for controlled substances and to build tools for application amendments. The DEA would also have to consider whether a section 303 license applicant is a college or a government entity when reviewing applications. The Attorney General, through DEA, would have to report to Congress within 180 days and yearly after on license applications, their status, and denial reasons, with names included only if the applicant consents.

NIH grants for medical marijuana study

If enacted, NIH would set up a National Institute on Drug Abuse program to fund medical and public health research on marijuana. The program would award competitive grants only to colleges and universities that the Director finds able to do the work. The bill would give priority to schools in states or tribal lands where marijuana use is lawful and consider geographic diversity and minority institutions. It would authorize $15,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030.

NIH university research working group

If enacted, NIH would form a working group within 180 days that includes NIH, FDA, DEA, and two university appointees with marijuana research experience. The group would have to report to several House and Senate committees within one year. The report would summarize the status of marijuana research at U.S. colleges and give recommendations to improve academic study.

USDA grants for marijuana agriculture

If enacted, the Department of Agriculture would start a program to fund college research on marijuana farming and crop effects. Grants would pay for agricultural studies only, like growth techniques, conservation, and impacts on other crops. The Secretary would give priority to schools in states or tribal lands where marijuana is legal and consider geographic diversity and minority institutions. The bill would authorize $15,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 4/20/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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