Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) filed an amendment that would require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to track Federal and State expenditures under the Medicaid program for hospital services and emergency room visits related to marijuana use. This data would then be submitted to Congress in a report within one year, along with appropriate legislative and administrative recommendations.

GOP Senator Calls for Study on Hospital Costs Linked to Cannabis Use

Dec 18, 2025

Source:

Tom Angell

Marijuana Moment

Senator Ted Budd, a Republican from North Carolina, is pushing for a new federal study to track how much taxpayer money is spent on hospital visits linked to cannabis. By attaching an amendment to a major spending bill, he wants the Department of Health and Human Services to report on Medicaid costs for ER trips and inpatient stays related to "marijuana use" within a year. This move coincides with a broader effort by some GOP senators to block the Biden-Trump administration's progress on federal rescheduling.

For the average enthusiast, this might sound like another attempt to "reefer madness" our way back into the dark ages. However, actual data could be a double-edged sword. If the numbers show that responsible use doesn't break the bank, it could actually debunk the scary stories prohibitionists love to tell. On the flip side, we need to ensure "cannabis-related" doesn't just mean someone had THC in their system during an unrelated accident. Staying informed on these legislative maneuvers is key to keeping our community’s progress on track.

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