Trump Administration Could Defund 565 Cannabis Studies
Proposal to cut federal research funding threatens studies on cannabis as well. More than 500 ongoing cannabis research efforts will halt if Trump's administration plan is implemented.
A plan to cut federal research funding directly threatens 565 ongoing cannabis-related trials, the MjBiz Daily reported. Research may be further hindered by decrease in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which the federal agency announced in February. It prompts questions of what could happen with marijuana rescheduling, as well, as fears that this would have consequences on the regulated cannabis sector in the U.S.
The NIH disclosed that it would drastically lower financing for “indirect costs,” which is federal research grant money used to cover administrative and facility-related expenditures. The agency said it would cover no more than 15 percent of “indirect costs” in the future. Without fully funded indirect costs, many researchers would simply not be able to continue doing what they do, and that includes researching cannabis.
Proposed Financial Cuts Would Affect Cannabis Research
Dozens of US universities are recipients of NIH research grants involving cannabis. Among them are the University of Colorado, which receives the most in federal grants, or $12,465,078 in total for 24 separate research projects. Yale University, the University of Washington, and multiple universities in California would also be affected among others. As researchers engaged in those projects face the possibility of halting their work completely, universities have sued to block the NIH cuts. The outcome of those legal challenges is yet to be seen.
“We’re all very concerned, because of the unpredictable nature in which things are heading,” said Dr. Ziva Cooper, a professor and the director of the University of California Los Angeles’ Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, which is a recipient of NIH funds.
Cannabis Advocacy Groups Due to Lobby in Washington
As it remains unpredictable what will happen, cannabis advocacy groups will try to act fast and together. NORML, Drug Policy Alliance, Last Prisoner Project, and the National Cannabis Industry Association are leading the largest bipartisan coalition of cannabis advocacy, industry and grassroot organizations next month in the US Capitol.
The group will attend a policy summit scheduled to take place between April 28 and May 1. During the summit, coalition members are expected to participate in a number of events where they will lobby for legalization. Activities will conclude on the last day of the summit with a demonstration outside the White House, calling for a presidential clemency for those still incarcerated because of cannabis charges.
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Stephen Andrews
