Effect of Cannabis on Cigarette Use Behavior

Launched by JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · Sep 20, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating how a compound found in cannabis called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects people who smoke cigarettes. Specifically, researchers want to understand how THC influences cigarette cravings, smoking behavior, heart rate, and even cognitive abilities. Participants will receive different doses of THC or a placebo (a non-active substance) while in a controlled laboratory environment, allowing researchers to compare the effects on those who smoke cigarettes and either smoke or vape cannabis.

To be eligible for this study, participants must be healthy adults aged 21 or older who currently smoke cigarettes daily and use cannabis at least once a week. They should also have a confirmed level of carbon monoxide in their breath and THC in their urine, indicating their use of these substances. Participants will need to be willing to use contraception if they can become pregnant during the study. Those with certain health conditions, a desire to quit smoking or using cannabis soon, or involvement in other clinical trials are not eligible. If you join, you can expect to take part in a thorough evaluation of how THC might change your smoking experience, and your safety will be a top priority throughout the study.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Healthy non-treatment seeking adults aged 21 or older
• • 2. Report daily use of combustible tobacco cigarettes
• • 3. Biological confirmation of cigarette use: have an expired carbon monoxide (CO) level of more than 8 ppm and a positive urine cotinine test at screening
• • 4. Report current use of cannabis (at least 1 occasion per week)
• • 5. Have experience with the inhalation route of administration for cannabis
• • 6. Biological confirmation of cannabis use: have a positive urinary THC drug test at screening.
• • 7. For women of children bearing potential and men with female partners of child-bearing potential, must be willing to use an effective form of contraception during the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Report current intention to reduce or quit cannabis or tobacco use within the next 30 days
• • 2. Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria for a substance use disorder other than alcohol, cannabis, or nicotine
• • 3. Test positive for illicit drugs other than cannabis and tobacco
• • 4. Positive breath alcohol test at study admission
• • 5. Have a current physical or mental illness judged by the study team to negatively impact participant safety or scientific integrity
• • 6. Have a lifetime history of suicidal behavior (i.e. past suicide attempt), or current suicidal behavior or ideation as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
• • 7. Are currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the next three months or are currently breastfeeding
• • 8. Have a history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g., Prinzmetal's angina)
• • 9. Are currently enrolled in another clinical trial or have received any drug as part of a research study within 30 days of study participation.