California Funds New Cannabis Research With Nearly $30 Million in Grants

30 December 2025

California is expanding its use of research to guide cannabis oversight. The Department of Cannabis Control has awarded nearly $30 million in academic grants to support 22 studies. The projects focus on public health, environmental effects, and how the regulated cannabis market is functioning.

Grant awards were finalized on December 26, 2025. The process drew 149 proposals from public universities and research institutions across the state. Nine institutions received funding, with campuses in the University of California system receiving the largest share. State officials said selections were based on study design, relevance to regulation, and practical policy value.

Research topics reflect questions that remain unsettled years after legalization. Several studies will look at how young adults react to packaging, labels, prices, and THC limits. Other projects focus on older adults and patients with qualifying existing health conditions. Teams at multiple campuses plan to examine heart health, brain development, and how the body processes products such as THC-infused drinks, which have become more common in legal stores.

Environmental and labor issues also feature heavily. Some researchers will compare licensed and unlicensed grow sites to assess water use, pesticide practices, and impacts on nearby habitats. One study will track pesticide and allergen exposure among cannabis workers, an area that has seen limited data despite the industry’s size.

Economic research rounds out the grant list. Using data from several states, some teams will study how tax rates and pricing changes affect buying habits. That includes whether higher costs push consumers toward illegal sellers. Other projects will examine why unlicensed sales persist and what policy changes may shift demand toward legal markets.

The research program is funded through cannabis tax revenue approved by voters. All findings will be released publicly. State officials have said the goal is to base future cannabis rules on peer-reviewed evidence rather than assumption. Results are expected over the coming years and may guide how California adjusts its cannabis system as it continues to develop.