The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued internal guidance requiring special review for research, presentations, and communications that address certain “controversial, high-profile, or sensitive” topics.
According to internal documents reviewed by ProPublica, marijuana is among the 23 flagged subjects, alongside vaccines, fluoride, peanut allergies, and autism.
The directive mandates that all materials covering these topics undergo review by an NCI “clearance team” before publication, with potential additional scrutiny from officials at NIH or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). While NCI has historically outlined certain administrative priorities, employees say the scale of this list is unprecedented. Six NCI employees, speaking anonymously, described the move as highly unusual and expressed concerns about its potential impact on scientific research.
Experts fear the policy could stifle research and delay publications. Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, criticized the directive, calling it “micromanagement at the highest level.” Some also worry it could lead to self-censorship among researchers, discouraging them from pursuing studies that might attract scrutiny.
The directive was reportedly circulated by NCI’s communications team, though its exact origins remain unclear. The NCI, NIH, and HHS have not responded to requests for comment. The new policy, which surfaced on social media last Friday, has sparked criticism from health and research experts, who warn it could hinder scientific transparency.
“This is real interference in the scientific process,” said Linda Birnbaum, former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “It just seems like Big Brother intimidation.”
