Age-dependent Effects of Smoked and Oral Delta-9-THC

NCT ID: NCT05865470

Last Updated: 2026-01-07

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE1

Total Enrollment

103 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-04-30

Study Completion Date

2029-10-15

Brief Summary

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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.

Detailed Description

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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.

Conditions

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Pain Abuse, Drug Intoxication; Cannabinoids

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. All participants will complete all dose conditions in a randomized order.
Primary Study Purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Placebo Comparator: Placebo

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

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Smoked Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo Cannabis

Oral Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral Placebo

Experimental: Low strength cannabis

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cannabis

Intervention Type DRUG

smoked cannabis

Oral Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral Placebo

Experimental: Higher strength cannabis

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Cannabis

Intervention Type DRUG

smoked cannabis

Oral Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral Placebo

Experimental: Low strength oral THC

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dronabinol

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC

Smoked Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo Cannabis

Experimental: Higher strength oral THC

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

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dronabinol

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral delta-9-THC

Smoked Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Placebo Cannabis

Interventions

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Cannabis

smoked cannabis

Intervention Type DRUG

Dronabinol

Oral delta-9-THC

Intervention Type DRUG

Smoked Placebo

Placebo Cannabis

Intervention Type DRUG

Oral Placebo

Oral Placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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Smoked cannabis with THC Delta-9-THC Placebo smoked cannabis (no THC)

Eligibility Criteria

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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
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of California, Los Angeles

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Ziva D. Cooper, PhD

Professor / Director

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ziva Cooper, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of California, Los Angeles

Locations

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UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Los Angeles, California, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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United States

Central Contacts

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Ziva D Cooper, PhD

Role: CONTACT

310-983-3417

Vincent Acebo

Role: CONTACT

310-983-3417

Facility Contacts

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Ziva D Cooper, PhD

Role: primary

(310) 794 -1497

Vince Acebo

Role: backup

Other Identifiers

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R01DA057252

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

22-001292

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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