Using a Field Performance Test on an iPad to Evaluate Driving Under the Influence of Cannabis
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2019-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
This study was authorized by the California Legislature (Assembly Bill 266, the Medical
Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act (73) to help with detection of driving under the
influence of cannabis. One hundred and eighty healthy volunteers will inhale smoked cannabis
with either 0% (placebo), 5.9%, or 13.4% Δ9-THC at the beginning of the day, and then
complete driving simulations, iPad-based performance assessments, and bodily fluid draws
(e.g., blood, saliva, breath) before the cannabis smoking and a number of times over the
subsequent 6 hours after cannabis smoking. The purpose is to determine (1) the relationship
of the dose of Δ9-THC on driving performance and (2) the duration of driving impairment in
terms of hours from initial use, (3) if saliva or expired air can serve as a useful
substitute for blood sampling of Δ9-THC in judicial hearings and (4) if testing using an iPad
can serve as a useful adjunct to the standardized field sobriety test in identifying acute
impairment from cannabis.