Higher Education Marijuana Research Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
Introduced
Summary
Expands federally supported marijuana research at colleges and tribal institutions. The bill would create a federal framework to make it easier for institutions of higher education and eligible government entities to study marijuana, streamline DEA registration for researchers, and fund targeted NIH and USDA grant programs.
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- Researchers and colleges: Would give institutions of higher education a priority consideration in DEA license reviews, allow certain IHEs in States or tribal lands where marijuana is legal to obtain marijuana from State or tribal regulatory bodies for lab and field research, and require a DEA Office of University Relations to provide technical help.
- Students and covered researchers: Would protect participation in approved research from affecting student aid, federal funding for research, or immigration status for covered students and researchers.
- Agricultural and medical researchers and institutions: Would create competitive NIH/NIDA grants for medical and public health studies and USDA grants for agricultural studies, prioritizing institutions in jurisdictions where marijuana is lawful, geographic diversity, and minority institutions, with funding set at $15.0 million per year for each program for fiscal years 2026–2030.
*Would authorize $15.0 million per year for NIH grants and $15.0 million per year for USDA grants from 2026–2030, increasing federal spending by about $30.0 million per year during those years.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Protect students and campus researchers
This bill would protect students and campus researchers who take part in institution‑approved marijuana research in a controlled setting. You would not lose Federal student aid or other Federal funding for participating in covered research. Your college or university would not lose Federal funds for sponsoring that research. Your immigration status would not be affected by participation in covered research. These protections do not cover a student consuming marijuana outside approved research procedures.
Easier research access for colleges
This bill would make it easier for colleges and some government agencies to study marijuana. The DEA would add a factor that favors institutions of higher education and State or local government entities when reviewing research licenses. If a school is in a State or on tribal land where marijuana sale or use is lawful, the school would be able to obtain marijuana from the State or tribal regulator or from State or tribal law enforcement for biology, chemistry, agriculture, or public health research. Marijuana obtained from law enforcement could not be given to people to take.
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.
View on Congress.gov