Pain Inflammation and Cannabis in HIV

The Impact of Medical Cannabis on Pain and Inflammation in People Living With HIV

This study will examine how medical cannabis use affects neuropathic pain, inflammation and adverse events in people living with HIV (PLWH) with neuropathic pain. The investigators will observe how varying ratios of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) in medical cannabis impact neuropathic pain, inflammation and adverse events.

This study will examine how medical cannabis use affects neuropathic pain in PLWH with neuropathic pain. The investigators will enroll adults with HIV who have a) neuropathic pain, b) are actively certified for medical cannabis, and c) intend to have soft gel capsule products dispensed at Vireo (medical cannabis dispensary). The investigators will observe how pain and inflammation change in participants after they are randomized to receive high THC:low CBD product, an equal THC:CBD product, a low THC:high CBD product, or placebo by our collaborator in a separate study. Over 14 weeks, data sources will include questionnaires, blood samples, urine samples; medical, pharmacy, and Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) records. The primary independent variable will be type of medical cannabis product dispensed at dispensary, and the primary outcome will be self-reported pain.

Inclusion criteria:

->=18 years old

• Diagnosis of HIV
• Fluency in English
• Active certification for medical cannabis
• ICD-10 diagnosis code for neuropathic pain, OR Neuropathic pain in problem list of electronic medical record, OR Neuropathic pain per medical cannabis certification form, OR Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire-Short Form>0

Exclusion Criteria:

• Inability to provide informed consent
• Inability to complete 14 weeks of study visits
• Medical cannabis use within 14 days of enrollment, and no medical cannabis dispensed within 30 days of enrollment
• Unique pain symptoms (e.g., multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis)
• Terminal illness
• Current or prior psychotic disorder
• Unregulated cannabis use in the past 14 days; opioid or cocaine use in the past 30 days
• Dispensed opioids within 30 days
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use within 7 days prior to enrollment
• Steroid use within the past 14 days with duration of therapy >=21 days
• COVID vaccination or booster within 14 days of screening
• Active or acute cardiac disease based on clinician chart review.