An important research grant worth nearly $700,000, aimed at studying cannabis use in LGBTQ+ women, has been canceled by DOGE on March 11. This decision was confirmed by a spokesperson from Ohio State University (OSU). The grant, totaling $699,139, was awarded to Dr. Christina Dyar for her study on cannabis use disorder and its impact on lesbian, bisexual, queer, and biological women.
The funding for this grant originated from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and was intended to explore how these groups are at a higher risk for cannabis use disorder compared to heterosexual women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cannabis use disorder is characterized by an inability to stop using cannabis despite negative effects on health and social life. Both the NIH and the National Institute on Drug Abuse continue to fund research in this area as cannabis use grows in popularity across the United States.
Dr. Dyar’s project aimed to provide valuable insights into cannabis use disorder and its risk factors, contributing to public health knowledge. She had previously received a round of funding totaling $715,244 in 2023 for her research. In addition to her current study, she has published two related journal articles this year that discuss the effects of cannabis use. Furthermore, she is also working on a separate study focusing on depression and suicidal thoughts among bisexual adolescents and young adults, which has received $815,881 in funding this year from the NIH.
While an Ohio State spokesperson confirmed the cancellation of the grant, they did not provide further details or comments regarding the decision.
