A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Cannabis in Healthy Volunteers Evaluating Simulated Driving, Field Performance Tests and Cannabinoid Levels

INVESTIGATOR: Thomas Marcotte, PhD

STUDY LOCATION: University of California, San Diego

PROJECT TITLE: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Cannabis in Healthy Volunteers Evaluating Simulated Driving, Field Performance Tests and Cannabinoid Levels

FUNDING SOURCE: California State Legislature (Assembly Bill 266, the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act)

PROJECT TYPE: Clinical Study

STATUS: COMPLETED

ABSTRACT:

This study was authorized by the California Legislature (Assembly Bill 266, the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act) to help with detection of driving under the influence of cannabis. Healthy volunteers inhaled smoked cannabis with either 0% (placebo), 6.7%, or 12.6% Δ9-THC at the beginning of the day, and then completed driving simulations, iPad-based performance assessments, and bodily fluid draws (e.g., blood, saliva, breath) before the cannabis smoking and hourly over the subsequent 7 hours after cannabis smoking. The purpose was to determine (1) the relationship of the dose of Δ9-THC on driving performance and (2) the duration of driving impairment in terms of hours from initial use, (3) if saliva or expired air can serve as a useful substitute for blood sampling of Δ9-THC in judicial hearings and (4) if testing using an iPad can serve as a useful adjunct to the standardized field sobriety test in identifying acute impairment from cannabis.