An app to help court-involved teens reduce marijuana use

Development and Preliminary Testing of an Adjunct Smartphone App to Reduce Marijuana Use in Court-Involved, Non-Incarcerated Adolescents

NA · Northwestern University · NCT05979272

This study tests if a smartphone app can help teens involved in the court system reduce or quit using marijuana by providing them with support from their peers.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment60 (estimated)
Ages14 Years to 18 Years
SexAll
SponsorNorthwestern University (other)
Locations4 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 3 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05979272 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a smartphone app called TECH, designed to assist court-involved adolescents in reducing or quitting marijuana use. The app creates a private online community where teens can engage with peers and receive support in changing their substance use behaviors. The study involves a pilot randomized control trial comparing the app's use alongside standard treatment to standard treatment alone. The research aims to assess the app's feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in promoting behavior change among youth aged 14-17.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adolescents aged 14 to 18 who are involved in the court system and have reported past-year cannabis use.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that prevent active participation in a mobile app intervention, such as psychosis or cognitive impairment, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide court-involved adolescents with effective tools to reduce their marijuana use and improve their overall well-being.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using digital health interventions for substance use behavior change, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 14 years to 18 years
* Able to speak and read English
* Have access to a smartphone
* Self-report past-year cannabis use
* If a minor, able to provide parental consent and child assent

Exclusion Criteria for all participants is limited to conditions that would preclude active participation in an intervention study of a mobile app (e.g., psychosis, cognitive impairment, visual impairment).

Where this trial is running

Chicago, Illinois and 3 other locations

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Cannabis Use, Adolescent, Court-involved, cannabis use, adolescent, marijuana use, digital health, mHealth

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.