President Trump Signs Executive Order to Boost Medical Marijuana and CBD Research
Washington — On Thursday, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding research into the medical uses of marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD). The directive calls for federal agencies to improve the availability of scientific data for patients, physicians, and policymakers, and to streamline the approval process for clinical studies involving these substances.
The order tasks the Department of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, with developing a comprehensive research agenda. It directs agencies to allocate additional funding for grant programs, encourage partnerships with academic institutions, and remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that have historically slowed investigation into the therapeutic potential of cannabis‑derived compounds. The order also instructs the Department of Justice to review existing scheduling classifications to ensure they do not impede legitimate scientific inquiry.
While the United States has long maintained a restrictive stance on federally sanctioned marijuana research, public support for medical cannabis has grown steadily over the past decade. States representing more than half of the national population now permit some form of medical marijuana, and a surge in anecdotal reports of symptom relief has prompted calls for rigorous, evidence‑based evaluation. Previous administrations introduced limited measures to facilitate research, but progress was hampered by limited funding and complex approval pathways. The current order represents the most concerted federal effort to date to address those gaps.
Federal officials described the move as a “necessary step toward informed health policy,” emphasizing that expanding the evidence base will help clinicians make better treatment decisions and guide future legislation. Industry analysts noted that increased research could clarify dosing standards, safety profiles, and potential market opportunities. Looking ahead, the administration expects periodic reports on research milestones and may consider further regulatory adjustments based on emerging findings. The initiative underscores a broader trend of integrating scientific inquiry into policy decisions surrounding emerging medical therapies.
