Effects of Cannabidiol on Marijuana-seeking in Humans

The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the effectiveness of cannabidiol for reducing marijuana seeking in non-treatment seeking volunteers. Cannabidiol is a cannabinoid (similar to cannabis, or marijuana) present in marijuana that alters some of the effects of marijuana.

Assess the ability of acute smoked CBD pretreatment to reduce marijuana-seeking behavior and increase price-elasticity of marijuana demand.

Participants will be asked to participate in a total of three choice sessions over two weeks with each session day separated by at least two days. Each session day will last approximately 8 hours.

During each study session participants will be asked to smoke a cigarette. Participants will be asked to smoke from a marijuana cigarette. These cigarettes may contain cannabidiol or they may not (placebo).

Participants will be asked to answer questions about how the drugs make them feel. Vitals signs (blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) will be measured using a non-invasive (external) vitals monitor.

Six samples will be taken in each of the three sessions. Blood samples will be obtained via butterfly catheter placed in a vein.

Participants will be asked to remain in the laboratory until all marijuana-related subjective and physiological effects have returned to the original levels recorded this morning before they smoked the first marijuana cigarette.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Participants will be males and females aged 21-45 yrs.
2. Must be in generally good health.
3. Volunteers may meet DSM-5 criteria for current Cannabis Use Disorder but not currently be in treatment or seeking treatment for their substance use problems.
4. An observed, temperature-tested urine specimen must test positive for THC so that inclusion is not solely based on self-report.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Psychiatric illness other than Cannabis or Nicotine Use Disorder. Also exclusionary is a history or suspicion of psychosis or indication of behavior not conducive to compliance with the study protocol.
2. Neurologic disease: structural brain abnormalities (e.g., neoplasms), cerebrovascular disease, seizures, infectious disease, history of other neurological diseases, or head trauma resulting in unconsciousness.
3. Cardiovascular disease: edema, chest pain or palpitations on exertion or drug use, myocardial infarction, systolic blood pressure greater than 160 or less than 95 mmHg, or diastolic pressure greater than 95 mmHg.
4. Pulmonary disease: obstructive pulmonary disease, apnea, cor pulmonale, tuberculosis, dyspnea, orthopnea, or tachypnea (\> 24 breaths per minute). Current diagnosis of or treatment for asthma. History of asthma may be allowed, per the study physician's discretion.
5. Systemic disease: e.g., endocrinopathies, renal or hepatic failure, active hepatitis (liver function tests \> 3x normal cutoff), myxedema, hypothyroidism, adrenocortical insufficiency, Cushing syndrome, chronic GI disease, AIDS or any other autoimmune disease involving the CNS.
6. Current substance use disorders other than Cannabis or Nicotine Use Disorder.
7. Cognitively impairment as indicated by an estimated IQ of lower than 85. Individuals unable to give voluntary informed consent will not be enrolled. They can be neither intoxicated nor undergoing withdrawal at the time of screening and consent.
8. Recent experimental participation (within past month).
9. Pregnancy or lactation. Females who are heterosexually active and not using (self-report) medically approved birth control measures (e.g., sterilization, tubal ligation, birth control pills, abstinence, intrauterine device, barrier method, cervical cap combined with a spermicide) are not eligible. Women who are breastfeeding will be excluded.
10. Individuals currently in, intending to seek, or court mandated for substance abuse treatment will be excluded. Finally, participants may be withdrawn from study if they do not comply with the study protocol, test positive for drugs of abuse other than marijuana on the routine urine screen or decide not to participate in the study.