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Frisco, Colorado

Congressman Neguse Leads Appropriations Letter Urging Continued Research on Cannabis at Higher Education Institutions

April 25, 2019

Washington D.C.— Representative Joe Neguse is leading a FY2020 appropriations letter urging his colleagues to ensure that the FY2020 Labor-HHS appropriations bill include specific language prohibiting the U.S. Department of Education from leveraging federally appropriated funds to penalize higher education institutions that are participating in the research of cannabis.

Representative Neguse’s letter states: “Currently, there are a multitude of higher education institutions conducting a range of cannabis-related research, including many in my district, that would like to champion future cannabis developments within an accredited educational setting. Formal research is especially important as more states legalize medical marijuana. We need medical professionals who are equipped with the knowledge to competently discuss issues surrounding cannabis and health. Evidence-based research regarding cannabis ought to be encouraged in academic settings, not discouraged.”

The letter goes on, “Our constitutional framework has afforded the whole nation the chance to allow states to differ on many matters of public policy, including cannabis. As a result, that same framework should be extended to the protection of research of cannabis at higher education institutions.”

The letter asks that the House Appropriations subcommittee include the following specific language in the FY2020 Labor-HHS appropriations bill to protect research institutes from retribution or withheld funding:

“None of the funds provided by this Act or provided by previous Appropriations Acts to the Department of Education shall be withheld from an institute of higher education solely because that institute is conducting or is preparing to conduct research on marihuana as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802 (16).”