PI: Thomas Marcotte, PhD
This is a clinical study examining the effects of high-THC concentrates (vaping, dabbing), purchased from licensed dispensaries, on driving and cognitive abilities.
INVESTIGATOR: Thomas Marcotte, Ph.D.
STUDY LOCATION: University of California, San Diego
PROJECT TITLE: Assessing the Impact of Real-World Cannabis Products on Driving and Cognition
FUNDING SOURCE: State of California
PROJECT TYPE: Clinical Study
STATUS: Enrolling
ABSTRACT:
Cannabis legalization has resulted in an array of new cannabis products, many with high THC content, that can be administered via a variety of methods (e.g., vaping, edibles, drinking, dabbing). However, Federal regulations currently restrict access to only a limited number of cannabis sources. Since these do not reflect products used throughout California (e.g., concentrates up to 90% THC), there is little to no knowledge of the impacts on public safety (driving), cognition, and methods for identifying impaired drivers.
In order to access and evaluate “real-world” cannabis, we will utilize a protocol in which participants acquire their usual products (e.g., vape pens, dab wax) from licensed dispensaries, and then use them as they would at home to get high (“ad libitum” use). On the study day participants (~ 180) will complete a pre-use assessment (fluid collection, driving simulations, etc.) in a specially-outfitted mobile assessment van parked outside their residence. They will then return to their home to complete product use, and immediately return to the van for fluid collection, driving simulation assessments, and other evaluations. This approach, which complies with Federal guidelines, will be the first study that examines the effects of these products on driving ability using such a protocol, and facilitate comparison with the effects seen in previous studies of smoked cannabis (Marcotte et al., 2022) and alcohol.
TO PARTICIPATE: