MedPath

The Impact of Product Formulation on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Cannabis Edibles

Phase 1
Recruiting
Conditions
Cannabis Use
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT05602649
Lead Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University
Brief Summary

This study will examine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-infused chocolates, gummies, and drinks. Healthy adults (N=40) will complete 9 drug administration sessions, including an overnight stay prior to each session. Participants will consume THC containing products in a fasted state; following drug administration, the participants will complete cognitive and psychomotor tasks, subjective assessments, have blood collected, and vital signs monitored.

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to examine the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of 3 popular types of cannabis edibles: THC-infused chocolates, gummies, and drinks. This study will utilize a rigorous double-blind, placebo-controlled, within-subjects design. Healthy adults (N=40; 20 males, 20 females) will complete 9 outpatient drug administration sessions in a randomized order. After 8 hours of monitored fasting, participants will consume 1 of 3 types of edibles (chocolates, gummies, or drinks) that are representative of current retail cannabis products. Products will contain 0 (placebo), 10, or 25mg THC. PD assessments include a battery of cognitive/psychomotor performance tasks shown to be sensitive to oral cannabis at these doses and subjective drug effects. Blood samples will be drawn to measure THC and its primary metabolites. Vital signs will be recorded. These procedures will be completed during each of the 9 study sessions.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
80
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Low Dose ChocolateCannabisParticipants will self-administer chocolate containing 10mg THC
High Dose ChocolateCannabisParticipants will self-administer chocolate containing 25mg THC
Placebo BeveragePlaceboParticipants will self-administer a beverage containing 0mg THC
Placebo GummyPlaceboParticipants will self-administer a gummy containing 0mg THC
Low Dose BeverageCannabisParticipants will self-administer a beverage containing 10mg THC
Low Dose GummyCannabisParticipants will self-administer a gummy containing 10mg THC
High Dose GummyCannabisParticipants will self-administer a gummy containing 25mg THC
Placebo ChocolatePlaceboParticipants will self-administer chocolate containing 0mg THC
High Dose BeverageCannabisParticipants will self-administer a beverage containing 25mg THC
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Working memory performance as assessed by the Correct Trials on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT)8 hours

Computerized version of Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task will be administered to assess working memory performance. Total correct trials out of 90 recorded is primary outcome (lower scores indicate worse performance).

DRiving Under the Influence of Drugs (DRUID) application global impairment score - Acute cognitive impairment8 hours

Acute cognitive impairment will be assessed with global impairment score(range 0-100) on the DRUID app (higher scores indicate greater impairment).

Attention as assessed by the Mean Distance from the Center Target Stimulus on the Divided Attention Task (DAT)8 hours

Computerized version of the Divided Attention Task will be administered to assess attention. Mean distance (in computer pixels) of the mouse cursor from the center target stimulus is primary outcome (lower scores indicate worse performance).

Executive functioning as assessed by the Mean Distance from the Center Target Stimulus on the Divided Attention Task (DAT)8 hours

Computerized version of the Divided Attention Task will be administered to assess executive functioning. Mean distance (in computer pixels) of the mouse cursor from the center target stimulus is primary outcome (lower scores indicate worse performance).

DRUID application global impairment score - Acute behavioral impairment8 hours

Acute behavioral impairment will be assessed with global impairment score(range 0-100) on the DRUID app (higher scores indicate greater impairment).

"Want to take again" as assessed by the Drug Effect Questionnaire8 hours

The DEQ will be used to obtain subjective ratings of "want to take drug again". Score range from 0 (none) to 100 (extreme) using a 100mm line anchored with none/extreme designation.

AUC for THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

Psychomotor performance as assessed by the Correct Trials on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task(DSST)8 hours

Computerized version of Digit Symbol Substitution Task will be administered to assess psychomotor performance. Total correct trials in 90 seconds is primary outcome (lower scores indicate worse performance).

CMax for THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

"Like Drug Effect" as assessed by the Drug Effect Questionnaire (DEQ)8 hours

The DEQ will be used to obtain subjective ratings of "like drug effect". Score range from 0 (none) to 100 (extreme) using a 100mm line anchored with none/extreme designation.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Tmax for THC metabolite - 11-OH-THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of 11-OH-THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

Cmax for CBN8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBN will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

Tmax for THC metabolite - THCCOOH8 hours

Blood concentrations of THCCOOH will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

CMax for THC metabolite - 11-OH-THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of 11-OH-THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

AUC for THC metabolite - 11-OH-THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of 11-OH-THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

Cmax for CBG8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBG will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

AUC for CBD8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBD will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

CMax for THC metabolite- THCCOOH8 hours

Blood concentrations of THCCOOH will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

AUC for THC metabolite - THCCOOH8 hours

Blood concentrations of THCCOOH will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

Tmax for THC8 hours

Blood concentrations of THC will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

Cmax for CBD8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBD will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The maximum concentrations (Cmax) is determined as the highest concentration reached for each individual.

AUC for CBN8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBN will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

Tmax for CBD8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBD will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

Tmax for CBG8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBG will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

Attention as assessed by the Number of peripheral integers correct on Divided Attention Task (DAT)8 hours

Computerized version of the Divided Attention Task will be administered to assess attention. The secondary outcome is the number of peripheral stimuli correctly identified.

"Unpleasant Drug Effect" as assessed by the Drug Effect Questionnaire8 hours

The DEQ will be used to obtain subjective ratings of "unpleasant drug effect". Score range from 0 (none) to 100 (extreme) using a 100mm line anchored with none/extreme designation.

Tmax for CBN8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBN will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. Time to max concentration (Tmax) will be calculated for each cannabinoid.

Working memory performance as assessed by Reaction Time on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT)8 hours

Computerized version of Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task will be administered to assess working memory performance. The secondary outcome is the mean reaction time (in milliseconds) to select correct responses.

"Feel Drug Effect" as assessed by the Drug Effect Questionnaire-8 hours

The DEQ will be used to obtain subjective ratings of "feel drug effect". Score range from 0 (none) to 100 (extreme) using a 100mm line anchored with none/extreme designation.

AUC for CBG8 hours

Blood concentrations of CBG will be measured using quantitative liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS) analysis. The area under the curve (AUC) is calculated across all timepoints, minus the baseline.

Psychomotor performance as assessed by attempted Trials on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task(DSST)8 hours

Computerized version of Digit Symbol Substitution Task will be administered to assess psychomotor performance. Number of attempted trials is a secondary outcome.

Executive functioning as assessed by the Number of peripheral integers correct on Divided Attention Task (DAT)8 hours

Computerized version of the Divided Attention Task will be administered to assess executive functioning. The secondary outcome is the number of peripheral stimuli correctly identified.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath