Inadequate funding

To date, few studies have assessed the efficacy and safety of Cannabinoids, compounds derived from the Cannabis plant, in patients with Crohn's disease. Our study seeks to pilot a randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy and safety of oral cannabinoids as an adjunct therapy in patients with Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease is a type of inflammatory disease which can affect any portion of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the perianal area. Symptoms depend on location of the disease, however, many patients experience some aspect of recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, emesis, and unintentional weight loss. A common and challenging dilemma is how to manage patients who continue to have some degree of symptoms despite a common treatment regimen typically consisting of corticosteroids, thiopurines, methotrexate, or anti-TNF alpha therapies. With the recent wave of medicinal cannabis legalization in many states, many patients have begun using cannabis or commercially available cannabidiol-containing compounds as an adjunct therapy for their symptoms related to chronic inflammation and pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 or older
• English-speaking
• Ileal and/or ileocolonic involvement as demonstrated by most recent endoscopy
• Short CDAI score >150
• Have not received oral or intravenous steroids for >1 month, or with stable dose for >1 month if currently taking
• Stable dose of AZA for >1 month, if currently taking
• Stable dose of anti-TNF inhibitor for >1 month, if currently taking

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or intend to become pregnant in the next 6 months
• Major abdominal surgery within the past 3 months