The Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Hemp-based Topical Cannabinoid Products

Johns Hopkins University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 1

Conditions: Cannabis; Drug Effect

Treatments: Drug: Placebo; Drug: CBD; Drug: THC

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Other U.S. Federal agency

Identifiers

NCT04741477

1-340-0216610-65527L (Other Grant/Funding Number)

IRB00277556

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study will evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of hemp-based Cannabidiol (CBD) topical products (e.g., lotions, creams, patches) that contain low levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Full description

A total of 5 topical cannabinoid products will be examined in this study. The study will be conducted in 5 discrete stages, one for each product. In each stage, participants (N=20), will be randomized to 1 of 2 double-blind drug conditions that entail the use of: 1) a topical product that contains CBD and a low amount of THC (N=15), or 2) a placebo topical product that does not contain cannabinoids (N=5), but which contains similar non-cannabinoid ingredients to the active product. Thus, overall 100 participants will complete the study (75 active, 25 placebo).

Participants in each stage will complete a three-phase outpatient protocol that will last a total of 17 days. Phase 1 (Day 1) will be an acute laboratory dosing session (approximately 7 hours in duration). Phase 2 (Days 2-10) will be an outpatient dosing period, during which participants will continue to use participants' assigned product twice daily (morning and evening) in participants' own environment. During Phase 2, participants will visit the laboratory for brief study sessions on Days 2, 3, 7, and 10. Phase 3, will consist of a final follow-up visit on Day 17, after a 1-week drug washout. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessments (subjective and cognitive effects) will be assessed during each phase.

Enrollment: 47 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Have provided written informed consent
2. Be between the ages of 18 and 55
3. Be in good general health based on a physical examination, medical history, vital signs, and screening urine and blood tests
4. Test negative for recent cannabis use in urine at the screening visit and again upon admission for each experimental session
5. Test negative for other drugs of abuse, including alcohol, at the screening visit and upon arrival for each experimental session
6. Not be pregnant or nursing (if female). All females must have a negative serum pregnancy test at the screening visit and a negative urine pregnancy test at each study visit.
7. Have a body mass index (BMI) in the range of 19 to 36 kg/m^2
8. Have head hair that is at least 4 cm (approximately one and a half inches) in length on the back of the head.
9. Blood pressure at Screening Visit does not exceed a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 150 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mmHg
10. Report prior experience using cannabis or CBD products.
11. Have not donated blood in the prior 30 days.
12. Have a smart phone, tablet, computer, etc. capable of recording videos and operating Redcap.

Exclusion criteria

1. Non-medical use of psychoactive drugs other than, nicotine, alcohol, or caffeine in the month prior to the screening visit.
2. History of or current evidence of significant medical or psychiatric illness judged by the investigator to put the participant at greater risk of experiencing an adverse event due to exposure or completion of other study procedures.
3. Use of an over-the-counter (OTC), systemic or topical drug(s), herbal supplement(s), vitamin(s), or prescription medications (with the exception of birth control prescriptions) within 14 days of study entry; which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the study results or the safety of the subject.
4. Use of hemp seeds or hemp oil in any form in the past 3 months.
5. Use of dronabinol (Marinol) within the past 6 months.
6. History of xerostomia (dry mouth), or the presence of mucositis, gum infection or bleeding, or other significant oral cavity disease or disorder that in the investigator's opinion may affect the collection of oral fluid samples.
7. History of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g., Prinzmetal's angina).
8. Known allergy to any ingredients in the active or placebo topical products.
9. Enrolled in another clinical trial or have received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days prior to dosing.
10. Epilepsy or a history of seizures.
11. Individuals with anemia.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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47 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Topical CBD Product with low level of THC

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will topically apply a high CBD-product that also contains low levels of THC.

Treatment:

Drug: THC

Drug: CBD

Placebo topical product

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

Participants will topically apply a placebo product that does not contain cannabinoids.

Treatment:

Drug: Placebo