Cannabis research infrastructure grants

Title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1161a et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: BB Cannabis research infrastructure grant program 899. Cannabis research infrastructure grant program (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and, as appropriate, with other relevant Federal agencies, shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education to enable such institutions to develop or enhance the necessary infrastructure for exploratory cannabis research, including the cultivation of cannabis for research purposes. (b) Applications To be qualified to receive a grant under this section, an institution of higher education shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including— (1) a description of the projects that the institution of higher education plans to carry out with grant funds; and (2) how such projects will address the research infrastructure needs of the institution of higher education. (c) Priority in awards In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to— (1) institutions of higher education described in section 371(a); (2) under-resourced institutions of higher education, including community colleges; and (3) institutions of higher education with experience in conducting or supporting cannabis research or developing academic courses or programs for students in the cannabis industry. (d) Use of funds An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to develop or enhance the necessary infrastructure for exploratory cannabis research, including— (1) cultivating cannabis for research purposes; (2) purchasing, renting, or leasing scientific or laboratory equipment; (3) constructing or upgrading cultivation or laboratory facilities; (4) purchasing or enhancing storage and security needs; (5) establishing school policies, procedures, or training to conduct or support research, such as policies and training to safely handle and store substances; (6) paying State fees to apply for and receive certificates or registrations to handle certain substances; or (7) recruiting or retaining staff necessary for developing or enhancing the cannabis research infrastructure of the institution of higher education, including for training and support purposes. (e) Awards Notwithstanding any other provision of law, activities supported by grants under this section shall not be considered violations of section 120 for the purposes of enforcing or assessing compliance with that section. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Community college The term community college means— (A) a public institution of higher education, including additional locations, at which the highest awarded degree, or the predominantly awarded degree, is an associate degree; or (B) a Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316). (2) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section 101. (g) Funding In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, $200,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out this section..