Laboratory Study of Cannabidiol on the Effects of Smoked Marijuana

Laboratory Study of the Influence of Oral Cannabidiol on the Subjective, Reinforcing and Cardiovascular Effects of Smoked Marijuana

The objective of this study is to assess the effects of oral cannabidiol (CBD; 0, 200, 400, 800 mg) on smoked marijuana's (0, 5.6% THC) subjective, reinforcing, cognitive, and cardiovascular effects. This experiment is expected to reveal CBD's intrinsic effects when combined with placebo marijuana, as well as its ability to modulate the behavioral effects of active marijuana.

Marijuana contains many chemicals called cannabinoids. The ingredient mainly responsible for marijuana's psychoactive effects is called THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Another cannabinoid in marijuana is cannabidiol. It is found in smaller quantities than THC. Cannabidiol is thought to interfere with the effects of THC. Therefore, synthetically produced cannabidiol is given to healthy marijuana users in this study to test its capability to reduce the high of THC and, thereby, help to relieve addiction to marijuana.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults between the ages of 18 and 50.
• Current marijuana use: Minimum of four times per week, 0.5 joints per occasion during the preceding 4 weeks.
• Able to perform study procedures
• Women practicing an effective form of birth control

Exclusion Criteria:

• Female subjects who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Current, repeated illicit drug use other than marijuana
• Presence of significant medical illness
• History of heart disease
• Request for drug treatment
• Current parole or probation
• Recent history of significant violent behavior
• Major psychiatric disorder