Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System

Study Description

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Brief Summary:

A study to evaluate the use of a vaporization system as a smokeless delivery system for inhaled marijuana.

Condition or disease	Intervention/treatment	Phase
Healthy Volunteers	Drug: Cannabis	Phase 1

Detailed Description:

Our primary objective is to evaluate the use of a vaporization system ( the Volcano) as a smokeless delivery system for inhaled marijuana. We will compare plasma levels of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabinol, cannabidiol, and metabolites, including 11-OH-THC, in healthy volunteers after smoking ~400 mg each of approximately 1.8, 3.5, and 7% THC marijuana cigarettes (using the Foltin puff procedure) to those obtained when the same individuals inhale the vaporization product of the rest of the marijuana from the identical cigarette processed through the Volcano device. In addition to plasma levels, we will also compare the THC concentrations over an 8-hour time period, the subjective high experienced by the patients, and clinical evidence of cannabis effect by evaluating conjunctival hyperemia and heart rate. We will also compare the tolerability of the two methods of ingestion, and we will monitor expired carbon monoxide to evaluate whether the vaporizer reduces exposure to respiratory toxins.

Study Design

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Study Type :	Interventional (Clinical Trial)
Enrollment :	18 participants
Allocation:	Randomized
Intervention Model:	Crossover Assignment
Masking:	Double
Primary Purpose:	Treatment
Official Title:	Vaporization as a Smokeless Cannabis Delivery System: A Pilot Study
Study Start Date :	August 2004
Study Completion Date :	May 2005

Arms and Interventions

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Outcome Measures

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Primary Outcome Measures :

1. To assess the delivery of cannabinoids and metabolites by way of vaporization and to compare plasma levels to those obtained from smoking an identical amount of marijuana from a cigarette.

Eligibility Criteria

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Ages Eligible for Study:	21 Years to 45 Years (Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:	All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 21-45 years Current history use of marijuana. Subjects must have smoked marijuana within the past 30 days but an amount totaling less than 10 marijuana cigarettes or the equivalent.

All men and women in this study must agree to use adequate birth control during the study. Acceptable barrier birth control methods are a male condom, female condom, diaphragm, or intra-uterine (IUD).

All women of reproductive potential (who have not reached menopause or undergone hysterectomy, oophorectomy,or tubal ligation) must have a negative urine B-HCG pregnancy test performed 48 hours before initiating the protocol-specified medication.

Able to understand and follow the instructions of the investigator and research personnel.

Able and willing to provide informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe coronary artery disease, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiac ventricular conduction abnormalities, or orthostatic mean blood pressure drop greater than 24mm/Hg, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

History of renal or hepatic failure. Evidence of hepatic, hematological or renal dysfunction based on judgement of physician.

Active substance abuse. Marijuana dependence as defined in DSM-IV code#304.30. Any psychiatric dysfunction that would, in the opinion of the study investigator, interfere with a participant's ability to comply with the study protocol.

Use of tobacco within the past 30 days. Subjects taking medications which may be vulnerable to drug-drug interactions such as those metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system.

Blood donation in the past 30 days. Use of smoked marijuana within 48 hours of GCRC admission. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding may not take part in this study. Unable to read or speak English.

Contacts and Locations

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Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Locations

United States, California
UCSF Community Consortium
San Francisco, California, United States, 94110

Sponsors and Collaborators

Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research

University of California, San Francisco

Investigators

Principal Investigator:	Donald I Abrams, M.D.	UCSF Community Consortium

More Information

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Study Description Study Design Arms and Interventions Outcome Measures Eligibility Criteria Contacts and Locations More Information

Additional Information:

Community Consortium 

Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research 

Publications of Results:

Abrams DI, Vizoso HP, Shade SB, Jay C, Kelly ME, Benowitz NL. Vaporization as a smokeless cannabis delivery system: a pilot study. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2007 Nov;82(5):572-8. Epub 2007 Apr 11.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00241592 History of Changes
Other Study ID Numbers:	C03-SF-115; CC#062; CHR# 105-22909-02; PR# 0334
First Posted:	October 19, 2005
Last Update Posted:	June 14, 2007
Last Verified:	June 2007

Keywords provided by Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research:

Cannabis; Marijuana; Vaporization; Volcano; THC

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Marijuana Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders; Lobeline; Ganglionic Stimulants; Autonomic Agents; Peripheral Nervous System Agents	Physiological Effects of Drugs; Nicotinic Agonists; Cholinergic Agonists; Cholinergic Agents; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Respiratory System Agents