Age-dependent Effects of Smoked and Oral Delta-9-THC (SAGE)

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Status and phase: Enrolling; Phase 1

Conditions: Abuse, Drug; Pain; Intoxication; Cannabinoids

Treatments: Drug: Smoked Placebo; Drug: Dronabinol; Drug: Cannabis; Drug: Oral Placebo

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05865470

22-001292

R01DA057252 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will assess the age-dependent effects of smoked and oral THC on abuse liability, intoxication, analgesia and impairment as a function of age.

Full description

The overall objective of this placebo-controlled, outpatient study is to compare the dose-dependent effects of smoked and oral THC on analgesia and endpoints directly related to adverse consequences of use including abuse liability, intoxication, and impairment as a function of age and sex.

Enrollment: 103 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male or non-pregnant female aged 18-65 years according to the below criteria: EMERGING ADULTS: 18-25 years of age (+/- one year) MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS: 35-45 years of age (+/- one year) LATE MIDDLE-AGED ADULTS: 55-65 years of age (+/- one year)
• Report weekly-monthly use of cannabis (with primary mode of use via inhalation) over the past 6 months prior to screening
• Not currently seeking treatment for their cannabis use
• No reported clinically significant adverse effects with cannabis use
• Have a Body Mass Index from 18.5 - 34kg/m2
• Able to perform all study procedures
• FEMALES: Currently practicing an effective form of birth control if pre-menopausal

Exclusion criteria

• Meeting DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5) criteria for any substance use disorder other than nicotine and mild cannabis use disorder
• Report using other illicit drugs in the prior 4 weeks
• Evidence of severe psychiatric illness (e.g. mood disorder with functional impairment or suicide risk, schizophrenia) or medical condition (i.e., hypertension) judged by the study physician (and PI to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing adverse events due to completion of study procedures, interfere with their ability to participate in the study, or their capacity to provide informed consent.
• Current predominant licit use of medical cannabis
• Current use of prescription or regular use of over the counter medications (with the exception of hormonal contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy). Current use of herbal supplements that may affect study outcomes or interact with study drug (i.e., St Johns wort, kava, L-tryptophan, melatonin)
• If medical history, physical and psychiatric examination, or laboratory tests performed during the screening process are not within the normal range and / or reveal any significant illness (e.g., hypertension) as judged by the study physician and to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing adverse events due to completion of study procedures
• Current pain
• Pregnancy is exclusionary due to the possible effects of the study medication on fetal development
• History of an allergic reaction or adverse reaction to cannabis is exclusionary.
• Currently enrolled in another research protocol
• Not using a contraceptive method (hormonal or barrier methods)
• The evaluating physician reviews all medical assessments along with medical history. Any disorders that might make cannabis administration hazardous are exclusionary.
• Intolerance to lactose and sesame (ingredients in the oral THC preparation)
• Insensitivity to the Cold Pressor Test

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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103 participants in 5 patient groups, including a placebo group

Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Smoked Cannabis (0 mg THC) Oral placebo (0 mg THC)

Treatment:

Drug: Oral Placebo

Drug: Smoked Placebo

Experimental: Low strength cannabis

Experimental group

Description:

Smoked Cannabis (10 mg THC) Oral placebo (0 mg THC)

Treatment:

Drug: Oral Placebo

Drug: Cannabis

Experimental: Higher strength cannabis

Experimental group

Description:

Smoked Cannabis (20 mg THC) Oral placebo (0 mg THC)

Treatment:

Drug: Oral Placebo

Drug: Cannabis

Experimental: Low strength oral THC

Experimental group

Description:

Smoked Cannabis (0 mg THC) Oral THC (10 mg THC)

Treatment:

Drug: Smoked Placebo

Drug: Dronabinol

Experimental: Higher strength oral THC

Experimental group

Description:

Smoked Cannabis (0 mg THC) Oral THC (20 mg THC)

Treatment:

Drug: Smoked Placebo

Drug: Dronabinol