New Legislation Proposes Dramatic Shift in Cannabis Research Policies
On April 29, 2025, Congresswoman Dina Titus and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, leaders of the Congressional Cannabis Caucus, introduced the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025 to the House. This proposed legislation aims to dismantle existing barriers that restrict federal funding and sponsorship for research associated with medical and recreational cannabis use. By enabling the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to undertake evidence-based actions, this bill marks a significant departure from prior legislative hurdles that mandated opposition to cannabis rescheduling under current federal law.
The proposed act represents a pivotal opportunity for the ONDCP to delve into public policy data regarding states with operational medical cannabis and adult-use markets. Subsequently, it could sponsor vital medical research on the multifaceted properties of cannabis. Congresswoman Titus underscored this necessity by highlighting a 2024 National Academies study, advocating for the removal of cannabis restrictions to unleash its potential in research and policy innovation.
Updating Cannabis Legislation to Reflect Current Realities
Congresswoman Titus champions the need for policy evolution, stating that the ONDCP should have the autonomy to back research efforts objectively. She criticized the longstanding legislative mandate which has severely limited the ONDCP’s ability to operate based on scientific evidence rather than traditional restrictions. Echoing these sentiments, Congresswoman Omar emphasized that drug policy must evolve by aligning with scientific findings and societal needs, particularly given the widespread public backing for cannabis reform.
The introduction of the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act has garnered significant support from key organizations like the Drug Policy Alliance, Nevada Cannabis Association, and National Cannabis Industry Association, among others. This diverse coalition reflects a unified call to adapt federal laws to keep pace with the rapid advancements in cannabis research and legalization across numerous states.
Advocating for Evidence-Based Cannabis Research
Leading voices within the cannabis policy community, such as UNLV Cannabis Policy Institute’s Director Riana Durrett, acknowledge the bill as a critical step towards fostering comprehensive national research into the impacts of cannabis legalization. Previously, federal restrictions hindered meaningful exploration of cannabis’s public health implications despite state-level legalization in over two dozen states—a gap this legislation intends to bridge.
Lauren Daly from the Marijuana Policy Project and Morgan Fox of NORML call for a reevaluation of federal mandates that ignore significant scientific evidence available on cannabis’s safety and efficacy. By enabling the ONDCP to explore an unrestricted flow of information, the bill aligns with the public sentiment favoring evidence-led cannabis policymaking.
Indigenous Communities and Cannabis Advocacy
Indigenous advocacy groups, including the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association, recognize this legislative move as a platform to validate traditional knowledge about cannabis’s healing properties. Founder Rob Pero articulates the detrimental impact of cannabis criminalization on Native communities and advocates for an informed federal approach that highlights plant-based medicine’s benefits over conventional pharmaceuticals.
Although questions remain about bipartisan support, experts, like Katharine Neill Harris from Rice University, see potential for the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act to advance. Overcoming federal inertia under past administrations will be crucial in transforming cannabis research landscapes, ultimately allowing the U.S. to reclaim its position at the forefront of cannabis science internationally.
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