1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 . 2. Increasing the number of federally-registered manufacturers of cannabis for legitimate research purposes (a) In general Section 303 of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 823 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and (2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following: (k) Registration of manufacturers of cannabis for legitimate research purposes (1) In general Any manufacturer of cannabis for research shall obtain a separate registration under this subsection for that purpose— (A) annually; or (B) for a longer period as determined necessary by the Attorney General to supply cannabis for the full duration of a particular multi-year study for legitimate research purposes. (2) Adequate and uninterrupted supply (A) Annual assessment On an annual basis, the Attorney General shall assess whether there is an adequate and uninterrupted supply of cannabis for legitimate research purposes. (B) Initial year Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 , of the applicants meeting the requirements of this Act, the Attorney General shall register under subsection (a) and this subsection at least 2 applicants to manufacture cannabis for legitimate research purposes in addition to any manufacturers that are registered under subsection (a) to manufacture cannabis as of the date of enactment of the Medical Cannabis Research Act of 2018 . (C) Subsequent years For calendar year 2019 and each subsequent calendar year, of the applicants meeting the requirements of this Act, the Attorney General shall register (including any registration renewal) under subsection (a) and this subsection at least 3 applicants to manufacture cannabis for legitimate research purposes. (3) Requirements A manufacturer registered under this subsection shall— (A) comply with all applicable requirements of this Act