How cannabis affects people with opioid use disorder
Official title: Cannabis Modulation of Outcomes Related to Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid Withdrawal, Opioid Abuse Potential and Opioid Safety
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-10781992 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cannabis might help people with opioid use disorder by seeing if it can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of opioid abuse, and it's designed for individuals who are dealing with this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $695,760 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA054347-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10781992 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with moderate to severe opioid use disorder who are currently physically dependent on opioids and have limited past-month cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have opioid use disorder or those with significant prior cannabis use may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of cannabis on individuals with opioid use disorder, focusing on how it influences opioid withdrawal symptoms, the potential for opioid abuse, and overall safety. The study will involve two inpatient trials where participants will receive different doses of cannabis in a controlled setting. By comparing the effects of cannabis against a placebo, researchers aim to gather data on its impact on opioid-related outcomes. Participants will be closely monitored to assess both psychological and physiological responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide insights into using cannabis as a therapeutic option for managing opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited controlled data on cannabis effects in opioid use disorder, the exploration of cannabis in this context is relatively novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Babalonis, Shanna — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Babalonis, Shanna
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Does starting cannabis young raise the risk of opioid addiction later?
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How marijuana affects withdrawal, safety, and drug‑liking in people with opioid use disorder
People with opioid use disorder will receive different doses of cannabis or a placebo so researchers can learn how marijuana changes withdrawal symptoms, drug liking, and safety measures.
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The impact of early cannabis use on later opioid use disorder and related factors.
This study is looking at how using cannabis early in life might affect the chances of developing opioid use disorder later on, especially for those who have had tough childhood experiences or certain genetic traits, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding the long-term effects of early drug use on health.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.