How the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025 Could Tear Down Federal Cannabis Research Barriers

On April 29, 2025, Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) introduced the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025 (H.R. 3082) in the U.S. House of Representatives. This landmark bill aims to modernize federal drug-research policy by repealing outdated mandates that have long hindered the study of cannabis and other Schedule I substances. By eliminating onerous application hurdles and removing the requirement that the White House drug advisor publicly oppose any rescheduling of these substances, the Act promises to unlock new pathways for federally funded studies—potentially revolutionizing our understanding of cannabis’s therapeutic potential.

Background: Why Federal Cannabis Research Has Been Blocked

Under current law, Section 704(b)(12) of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Reauthorization Act of 1998 requires the ONDCP director to oppose any attempt to reschedule Schedule I drugs—an explicit prohibition that effectively bars the agency from sponsoring or endorsing research on medical cannabis, LSD, MDMA, and other substances deemed to have “no accepted medical use.” As a result, federal grants for clinical trials are scarce, researchers face years-long delays in obtaining approval, and major institutions often steer clear of costly bureaucratic battles—despite mounting evidence of cannabis’s medical benefits.

Key Provisions of the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025

The Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act (H.R. 3082) proposes a surgical fix by repealing Section 704(b)(12) and granting the ONDCP director authority to:

• Fund and sponsor research on Schedule I substances, including cannabis, psilocybin, and MDMA, without political constraints.

• Publicly endorse or remain neutral on rescheduling petitions based on scientific evidence.

• Coordinate with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and FDA to streamline grant applications and ethical review processes for controlled-substance trials.

These changes would bring ONDCP policy in line with the reality in 23 states that have legalized medical cannabis and multiple jurisdictions exploring psychedelic therapies.

Why the Evidence-Based Approach Matters

Policymakers, clinicians, and patient advocates alike have decried the federal government’s outdated stance on cannabis research. Without robust, large-scale clinical trials, questions remain about optimal dosing, delivery methods, long-term safety, and comparative efficacy against standard treatments. By empowering ONDCP to support evidence-based policy, the act would:

• Fill critical knowledge gaps on cannabis for chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and cancer‐related symptoms.

• Enable studies on emerging areas such as cannabis-psychedelic combination therapies for mental health disorders.

• Help the FDA evaluate and potentially approve cannabis-derived pharmaceuticals.

• Inform state and federal regulation with data on public-health impacts, diversion risks, and youth consumption patterns.

In short, it shifts drug policy from ideology to science.

Potential Therapeutic Breakthroughs

With federal barriers lifted, researchers could launch large multicenter trials in areas such as:

• Neurological diseases: Investigating neuroprotective properties of cannabinoids in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

• Oncology: Assessing anti-tumor effects of cannabinoids and optimizing dosing for chemotherapy-induced nausea and pain.

• Chronic pain: Comparing cannabis formulations head-to-head with opioids to reduce dependency risks.

• Mental health: Exploring psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for PTSD.

• Substance-use disorders: Studying cannabis as harm-reduction therapy for opioid and stimulant dependence.

Early international studies have shown promise in each of these domains, but U.S. researchers have been unable to conduct trials at scale.

Legislative Process and Timeline

After its introduction on April 29, 2025, H.R. 3082 was referred to three House committees—Oversight and Government Reform, Energy and Commerce, and Judiciary—for review and markup. The key steps ahead include:

• Committee Hearings & Markup: Expert testimony from NIH, ONDCP, patient-advocacy groups, and academic researchers.

• House Floor Vote: Requires a simple majority to pass, likely by late summer 2025.

• Senate Consideration: Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and potentially the Judiciary Committee.

• Senate Floor Vote & Conference Committee: Reconciling any differences between House and Senate versions.

• Presidential Signature: The President has 10 days (excluding Sundays) to sign or veto after enrollment.

If H.R. 3082 follows this path, it could become law by early 2026—ushering in the first federal research overhaul since 1998.

Building Bipartisan Momentum

Although drug-policy debates often fall along partisan lines, the Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act enjoys support across the aisle. Advocates highlight that it merely removes one counterproductive restriction rather than legalizing any substance outright. Organizations backing H.R. 3082 include the Drug Policy Alliance, NORML, the National Cannabis Industry Association, and the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, reflecting a broad coalition of patient groups, researchers, and public-safety experts. Some analysts even expect it to garner enough votes to override a presidential veto, should one occur.

What This Means for Scientists and Institutions

Universities, hospital research centers, and private-sector labs stand to benefit immediately. With ONDCP able to sponsor research:

• Grant applications will face fewer administrative red tape delays.

• Schedule I licensing burdens at the DEA could be reduced through interagency coordination.

• Public-private partnerships may flourish, as pharmaceutical companies gain clarity on regulatory pathways.

• Junior investigators will no longer need to avoid controlled‐substance work to secure tenure‐track positions.

Over time, this could reverse decades of U.S. lag behind Europe, Israel, and Canada in cannabinoid and psychedelic research.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does the Act legalize cannabis?

No. The Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act does not change cannabis’s Schedule I status; it simply allows federal agencies to fund and conduct research without political restrictions.

Q: When could research grants start flowing?

If enacted in early 2026, agencies could begin issuing requests for proposals within months, with first clinical trials launching by late 2026 or early 2027.

Q: Who can apply for research funding?

Any accredited U.S. institution with IRB-approved protocols for Schedule I substances—universities, hospitals, or private labs—could apply directly to ONDCP or partner with NIH.

Q: How does this benefit patients?

Faster, larger trials will yield clearer data on safety, efficacy, dosing guidelines, and long-term outcomes—ultimately informing FDA approvals and insurance coverage.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Evidence-Based Drug Policy

The Evidence-Based Drug Policy Act of 2025 represents a critical step toward aligning federal law with scientific reality and state-level innovations. By repealing one outdated provision, Congress can unlock a new era of research into cannabis and other Schedule I drugs—paving the way for safer, more effective treatments and informed policymaking. As H.R. 3082 advances through committee hearings and floor votes, stakeholders from patient advocates to academic scientists will watch closely. If successful, this modest yet powerful reform could serve as the blueprint for broader drug-policy modernization in the years ahead.