$1.56 Billion Spent on Marijuana Research Over 19 Years

Between 2000 and 2018, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom spent a combined $1.56 billion on marijuana research. About $750 million of this funding was allocated specifically to studies focused on the negative effects of marijuana use.

The U.S. Leads in Cannabis Research Funding

Charitable foundation consultant Jim Hudson analyzed a scientific grant database and found that over 19 years, Americans invested $1.48 billion in marijuana research, while the UK contributed $39.9 million and Canada $36.1 million. The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) was the largest investor, spending $1.47 billion on cannabinoid experiments. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research ranked second, providing $24.8 million to scientists, followed by the UK Medical Research Council, which also allocated $24.8 million.

Investment in marijuana experiments increased nearly fivefold, from $31 million in 2000 to $151 million in 2018. The U.S. invested about $30 million in cannabis research in 2000, a figure that grew to $145 million by 2018. In Canada, research funding rose from approximately $400,000 in 2000 to $5.8 million in 2018. The UK set its record for marijuana research investment in 2011 at $4.3 million, but funding then declined to $2.1 million by 2018.

Marijuana as a Major Focus of Scientific Study

Scientists received $810 million for cannabis testing, $450 million for research on the endocannabinoid system (ECS), and $300 million for cannabinoid experiments. The majority of funds were spent on studying the harms of marijuana use. Projects investigating the ECS received the second-largest share of investments, while research into the medical value of cannabinoids ranked third. The smallest amount was allocated to evaluating the medicinal potential of cannabis.

American organizations provided the most funding for studies on ECS functions, the consequences of marijuana smoking, and the plant’s healing properties. Canadian funding focused mainly on ECS research, accounting for about half of their budget. British researchers were primarily interested in the effects of cannabinoid use, the ECS, and the therapeutic impact of cannabis.

According to Daniel Mallison of Penn State University, authorities in the U.S., UK, and Canada are concerned that the growing popularity of marijuana could seriously impact public health systems. As a result, research on the harms of marijuana use was prioritized. In the area of studying the plant’s healing properties, projects testing cannabinoids dominated, as it is easier for scientists to conduct trials with pure substances and obtain approval for their testing.