Actively Recruiting
High Potency Cannabis: Acute and Protracted Effects
Led by University of California, Los Angeles · Updated on 2025-10-06
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
52 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
U
University of California, Los Angeles
Lead Sponsor
C
California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are studying the effects of smoked cannabis containing different amounts of THC in adults aged 21 to 55 who use cannabis nearly daily. The study aims to understand how cannabis with about 50 mg and 100 mg THC compares to a placebo with no THC, especially looking at the immediate and longer-lasting effects after a brief period without cannabis use. The study will also examine how THC is processed in the body and how this relates to behavioral and physical effects. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a placebo group with no THC, a low dose group with about 50 mg THC, or a high dose group with about 100 mg THC. This is a double-blind trial, so neither participants nor researchers know which group each participant is in during the study. The cannabis will be smoked, and the study is conducted on an outpatient basis. During the study, participants will be monitored for their subjective drug effects and pain relief using the Cold Pressor Test, which measures response to cold water. Blood samples will be taken to analyze THC and its metabolites over three hours. The researchers will track how participants respond to the drug and how their bodies process it. Safety and adherence to procedures will be carefully observed throughout the trial, which is sponsored by the University of California, Los Angeles.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
High Potency Cannabis: Acute and Protracted Effects
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or non-pregnant and non-lactating females aged 21-55 years
- Report cannabis smoking nearly daily
- Not currently seeking treatment for cannabis use
- Body Mass Index between 18.5 and 34 kg/m2
- Able to perform all study procedures
- Using a contraceptive method (hormonal or barrier)
You will not qualify if you...
- Meeting DSM-V criteria for any substance use disorder other than cannabis, nicotine, or caffeine
- Negative urine test for cannabis at screening
- Severe psychiatric illness causing functional impairment or suicide risk
- Use of other illicit drugs in the past 4 weeks
- Current main use of medical cannabis, prescription painkillers, or medications affecting study outcomes
- Current pain condition
- Pregnancy
- Enrolled in another research study
- Not using contraceptive methods
- Insensitivity to cold water stimulus used in Cold Pressor Test
- Any condition making cannabis use unsafe as judged by study physician
- Unable to speak and read English
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - Single sessions with washout periods between exposures
Participants receive smoked cannabis with varying THC doses or placebo in a randomized crossover design to assess acute pharmacodynamic effects.
Multiple visits for each smoking session
Duration - Brief period post-treatment
Participants are observed after a brief period of abstinence to evaluate changes in effects and pharmacokinetics.
1 or more visits depending on abstinence assessments
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Los Angeles, California, United States, 90095
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
Z
Ziva Cooper, PhD
V
Vincent Acebo
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
DOUBLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
CROSSOVER
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
3
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