INCREASING MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND CANNABIDIOL RESEARCH

12/18/2025

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose and Policy: Enhance medical research and treatment options by addressing decades-long federal neglect of medical marijuana’s potential; improve research on both medical marijuana and hemp-derived CBD products to better inform prescribing practices and patient safety.
Scientific and Regulatory Findings: FDA and HHS findings support the medical use of marijuana for conditions such as chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and anorexia; over 30,000 healthcare practitioners across 43 jurisdictions currently recommend its use.
Rescheduling of Marijuana: Directs the Attorney General to expedite the rulemaking process for rescheduling marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act based on recognized medical benefit and reduced abuse potential.
Regulatory Framework for Hemp-derived Cannabinoids: Calls for legislative collaboration to update definitions and establish safety parameters (e.g., THC limits and CBD/THC ratios) for full-spectrum CBD products, addressing issues such as inaccurate labeling and potential health risks.
Improving Research Infrastructure: Mandates development of research methods utilizing real-world evidence by key agencies (HHS, FDA, NIH, CMS) to assess both short- and long-term health outcomes, with a focus on vulnerable populations like seniors, adolescents, and young adults.
General Implementation Provisions: Clarifies that the order does not impair existing authority, create enforceable rights, or override budgetary restrictions, with publication costs to be borne by HHS.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s emphasis on increasing medical marijuana and CBD research may lead to regulatory changes that require Vanderbilt University to update its research protocols and compliance policies, particularly if the university is involved in related research.
Potential changes in federal drug scheduling could impact funding opportunities and partnerships with federal agencies, requiring strategic adjustments to align with new research priorities.
Increased research on medical marijuana and CBD might necessitate revised educational programs or curricula, especially for medical, legal, and policy studies, to incorporate new findings and regulatory frameworks.
There is a potential risk of increased scrutiny and ethical considerations regarding research involving controlled substances, necessitating enhanced oversight and governance.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt University Medical Center could become a significant player in medical marijuana and CBD research, potentially leading to increased funding and collaboration opportunities with federal health agencies.
School of Nursing might need to incorporate new research findings into their curricula, particularly concerning pain management and substance use.
The Law School may see increased interest in cannabis law courses and might develop new specializations in regulatory and health law.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development could explore the implications of medical marijuana research on educational practices, particularly concerning adolescents and young adults.

Financial Impact

The reclassification of marijuana to Schedule III could open new research grants and funding streams, impacting the university’s budget and resource allocation strategies.
There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt University to engage in public-private partnerships focused on medical marijuana and CBD research, benefiting from shared resources and expertise.
The regulatory changes could influence the university’s investment in infrastructure to support expanded research capabilities in pharmaceuticals and healthcare.
Potential adjustments in federal funding priorities might require Vanderbilt to reassess its grant application strategies and align with the new federal focus on cannabis research.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt Medical School should explore opportunities to collaborate with federal agencies on research related to medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD). By participating in studies that assess the health outcomes of these substances, the school can contribute to the development of evidence-based medical guidelines and potentially secure federal research funding.
The Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research could expand its research initiatives to include the study of CBD and medical marijuana’s effects on chronic pain and other conditions. Such endeavors may lead to breakthroughs that enhance treatment protocols and improve patient care outcomes.
Vanderbilt Law School should consider analyzing the evolving legal landscape surrounding medical marijuana rescheduling and CBD regulation. This could position the university as a thought leader in health law and policy, while providing valuable insights to shape future legislative frameworks.
The Office of Federal Relations should actively engage with policymakers to stay informed about changes in federal regulations regarding cannabis research. This engagement will ensure that Vanderbilt remains compliant with new laws and can advocate effectively for policies that support academic research.
Vanderbilt’s School of Nursing should incorporate training on the medical use of marijuana and CBD into its curriculum. Educating future healthcare providers about these substances will help ensure they are well-equipped to discuss and manage their use with patients.

Opportunities

The executive order offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Institutes to lead innovative studies on the long-term health effects of medical marijuana and CBD, particularly in vulnerable populations like adolescents and young adults. By contributing to this burgeoning field, Vanderbilt can enhance its reputation in medical research.
By establishing interdisciplinary research programs that involve Pharmacology, Neuroscience, and Public Health, Vanderbilt can develop comprehensive studies that assess the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana and CBD. This collaboration could attract diverse funding sources and foster groundbreaking discoveries.
The focus on rescheduling marijuana to Schedule III presents a chance for Vanderbilt’s Health Policy Center to examine the implications of this change on healthcare delivery and policy. Providing evidence-based analyses could influence national policy discussions and reforms.
Vanderbilt can seize the moment to host conferences and workshops that gather experts in cannabis research, law, and policy. These events can position the university as a central hub for the exchange of knowledge and the development of best practices in the field.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with the new research and regulatory opportunities in medical marijuana and CBD.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

N/A – The directive requires “expeditious” action but provides no specific deadlines or numerical timeline for implementation.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Tasked with reviewing scientific data on the medical use of marijuana and ensuring rigorous research supports safe and effective treatments.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Responsible for overseeing research initiatives and for coordinating with other agencies to improve patient access to medical marijuana and hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Involved in the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, following recommendations from HHS and the FDA.
Department of Justice (DOJ) – Attorney General: Directed to expedite the rulemaking process regarding the reclassification of marijuana and ensure compliance with existing federal drug control policies.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): Expected to collaborate on developing research methods and models that incorporate real-world evidence to guide standards of care.
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Tasked, along with other HHS components, to develop new research protocols and methods to better assess the long-term health effects of medical marijuana and CBD.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Mentioned in the order with respect to ensuring that the Order does not affect its budgetary, administrative, or legislative functions.
United States Congress: Implicitly impacted as the order directs executive officials to work with Congress to update statutory definitions related to hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

Relevance Score: 3 (The directive impacts multiple agencies across the Executive branch as well as the legislative branch, totaling eight distinct government organizations.)

Responsible Officials

Attorney General – Tasked with completing the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs – Responsible for collaborating with Congress to update the statutory definition of hemp-derived cannabinoid products and establish related regulatory guidance.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Charged with developing research methods and models using real-world evidence to improve access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products.
Commissioner of Food and Drugs – Collaborates in establishing research standards and guidance on CBD product safety and efficacy.
Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Works to align research models and methods with federal law and healthcare standards.
Director of the National Institutes of Health – Engages in the development of research standards and evidence-based methods to inform medical marijuana and cannabinoid product research.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House officials, Cabinet members, and agency heads with significant policy impact.)