A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The EDUCATE Act of 2026 creates a program for authorized institutions to receive competitive grants for research on cultivating and processing marijuana. This research includes studying soil health, water conservation, and economic opportunities for minority and disadvantaged farmers. The bill also establishes a scholarship program for students pursuing careers in marijuana or hemp agriculture and related sciences. Funding is authorized through 2030 for both the research and scholarship programs. Additionally, it provides legal protections against federal prosecution and denial of benefits for those participating in the authorized activities.
Yes· 3 of 24
- Scored +7
Would farmers be better off under this?
Directly supports research on cultivation and provides economic development for small and minority farmers.
- Scored +6
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Targets 1890 institutions, which are historically black colleges and universities.
- Scored +6
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
Requires at least 25 percent of research grants be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes new federal spending through 2030.
- Scored -1
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill allocates new funding for research grants and scholarships.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Economic opportunities for minority farmers: Section 1492(a)(3) evaluates economic development for minority and disadvantaged farmers in marijuana markets.
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Educational funding: Section 1492A provides scholarships of up to $10,000 per student per academic year for those studying food and agricultural sciences intending to work in marijuana or hemp agriculture.
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Support for Hispanic-serving institutions: Section 1492(e)(2) requires that at least 25 percent of research grant funds be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions.
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Priority for small-scale farmers: Section 1492(c)(1) directs the Secretary to prioritize institutions that partner with community-based agricultural organizations or minority and small-scale farmers.
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Legal protections: Section 1492C ensures that participants will not be denied federal benefits or face federal criminal prosecution or civil penalties for activities conducted within the scope of the Act and the Controlled Substances Act.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limited funding availability: Section 1492A(c)(2) limits the total grant amount for scholarships to no more than $100,000 per academic year, which may limit the number of people who can benefit.
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Strict registration requirements: Section 1492D(2) requires an institution to have an existing registration under section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act to be an "authorized institution," which may exclude institutions that do not have this registration.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would farmers be better off under this? — Directly supports research on cultivation and provides economic development for small and minority farmers. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Targets 1890 institutions, which are historically black colleges and universities. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Requires at least 25 percent of research grants be reserved for Hispanic-serving institutions. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Boosts rural agricultural research and provides economic support to rural farmers. Would students be better off under this? — Creates a specific scholarship program for those pursuing careers in marijuana/hemp agriculture. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides scholarships and new career pathways in agricultural sciences. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Focuses on disadvantaged farmers and provides scholarships. Would business owners be better off under this? — Supports small-scale farmers and agricultural institutions. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Included in the general support for minority farmers. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides economic opportunities for established farmers. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — General expansion of agricultural research and scholarship opportunities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Included in the general support for minority farmers. Would white Americans be better off under this? — General benefit to agricultural researchers and students.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — Allocates $5 million annually for marijuana agricultural research. Does this make college cost less? — Provides scholarships up to $10,000 per year for students in specific agricultural sciences.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Prioritizes partnerships with small-scale farmers and evaluates economic opportunities for disadvantaged farmers. Is this likely to create jobs? — Research grants and workforce development activities may create new specialized agricultural jobs. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Develops emerging marijuana markets and agricultural technologies. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill allocates new funding for research grants and scholarships. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes new federal spending through 2030.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Specifically targets minority and disadvantaged farmers and provides reserved funding for Hispanic-serving institutions. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Creates economic development opportunities for disadvantaged farmers.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Supports 1890 institutions and rural farmers in emerging agricultural markets. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Funds research on soil health and water conservation.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Provides safe harbor from federal prosecution for participants acting within the scope of the Act.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — Increases federal funding for agricultural and plant science research.
- 7/13/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 6/18/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada