Age Differences in the Effects of Cannabis on Simulated Driving

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Trial end date: 2024-09-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Epidemiological studies suggest that the use of cannabis is associated with an increase in the risk of motor vehicle collisions. It is also known that younger users may be at increased risk for motor vehicle collisions. Further, the frequency with which cannabis is used may be an important variable in determining the effects of cannabis on driving. The purpose of the present study will be to investigate the effects of cannabis on simulated driving in young as compared to middle-aged drivers. Half of the participants will be occasional users of cannabis and half will be frequent users of cannabis.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• 19-25 or 35-45 years of age;

• Use of smoked cannabis for recreational purposes on up to 2 occasions per week or 5+ occasions per week but on no more than 5 days per week;

• Holds a class G or G2 Ontario driver's licence (or equivalent from another jurisdiction) for at least 12 months;

• Willing to abstain from using alcohol for 48 hours and cannabis for 72 hours prior to Practice and Test Sessions;

• Willing to abstain from all other drugs not prescribed for medical purposes for the duration of the study;

• Resides within the Metropolitan Toronto area (in which the trial site is located) or can reside with friends/family in the Metropolitan area after a Test Session; this area may be extended to the Greater Toronto area if recruitment challenges arise;

• Provides written and informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Urine toxicology screens negative for cannabis upon Eligibility Assessment;

• Use of cannabis primarily for therapeutic purposes;

• Diagnosis of medical condition that contraindicates use of cannabis determined by self-report as judged by the Qualified Investigator; this includes a history of hypersensitivity to cannabinoids smoke, respiratory disease and/or severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal or liver disease. Smoking cannabis is not recommended for patients with respiratory diseases, and they will be excluded

• Diagnosis of psychiatric condition that contraindicates use of cannabis determined by self-report and SCID;

• Females: Pregnancy or breastfeeding;

• Meets criteria for current or lifetime alcohol or other substance use disorder (DSM-5), except tobacco use disorder and caffeine use disorder

• Is a regular user of medications that affect brain function (based on self-report); this includes concomitant therapy with sedative-hypnotics or other psychoactive drugs

• Use of anti-hypertensives

• First-degree relative diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.