EDUCATE Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
Introduced
Summary
Funding marijuana agricultural research at 1890 land-grant institutions creates a dedicated grant and scholarship program to study cultivation, processing, sustainability, and economic opportunities tied to marijuana agriculture.
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- 1890 land-grant and other covered institutions can compete for grants to research marijuana cultivation and processing. The program is funded at $5.0 million per year and reserves at least 25% of funds for Hispanic-serving institutions.
- Farmers and local communities get targeted research and extension on agronomy, soil health, water conservation, pest management, and economic development for minority and small-scale growers. The program also supports workforce training and technical assistance.
- Students and researchers gain a scholarship route and legal protections. Scholarships may be up to $10,000 per student per year and the scholarship program is authorized at $0.1 million per year; institutions and individuals conducting registered research receive nondiscrimination and safe harbor protections under federal law.
*This bill authorizes about $5.1 million per year for 2026–2030 for grants and scholarships, which increases federal spending and would add to the deficit absent offsets.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Scholarships for marijuana agriculture students
If enacted, the bill would create a Marijuana Agriculture Studies Scholarship Program and authorize $100,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund scholarships. Institutions with a section 303 registration could receive grants to award scholarships to full-time undergraduate or graduate students in eligible food and agricultural sciences programs. Scholarships would be up to $10,000 per student per academic year. The bill also caps academic-year scholarship grants at not more than $100,000 for the academic year beginning July 1, 2027 and each succeeding academic year while funds remain available.
Federal protections for marijuana researchers
If enacted, the bill would bar denying federal benefits, grants, or contracts solely because an institution, faculty, researcher, employee, or student took part in an authorized program under this bill. It would also bar federal criminal prosecution or civil or administrative penalties for such participants, but only when they act within the scope of their section 303 registration and follow any additional Secretary-imposed requirements.
Grants for marijuana farming research
If enacted, the bill would direct USDA (through NIFA) to run a competitive grant program to fund research on marijuana cultivation, processing, sustainability, and workforce/extension activities. The program would be authorized at $5,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Only "authorized institutions" could apply — covered institutions (1890 land-grant schools, Hispanic-serving institutions, and certain Part B colleges with accredited food and agricultural programs) that hold an active section 303 registration when they apply. The Secretary would prioritize institutions with partnerships with minority and small-scale farmers and must reserve at least 25% of each year’s funds for Hispanic-serving institutions.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2]
LA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1]
NV • D
Sponsored 6/18/2026
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10]
NJ • D
Sponsored 7/13/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov