Assessing how cannabis affects driving performance

Novel Approaches to Assessing Cannabis Impaired Driving

This study is testing how using cannabis affects driving skills in adults by comparing those who use it daily, occasionally, or not at all.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 130 (estimated)
• Ages: 25 Years to 55 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Colorado School of Public Health (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Denver, Colorado)
• Trial ID: NCT06255054 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to understand the impact of cannabis use on driving abilities by utilizing a driving simulator. Researchers will compare the driving performance of adults who use cannabis daily, occasionally, or have not recently used it. Participants will undergo up to two in-person visits, including drug screenings and breathalyzer tests, to ensure accurate assessment of their driving capabilities. The study is conducted by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the Colorado School of Public Health.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 21 to 55 who use cannabis in varying frequencies and can provide informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use cannabis or are outside the age range of 21 to 55 may not receive any benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide valuable insights into the effects of cannabis on driving, potentially informing public health policies and safety regulations.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on cannabis and driving, this specific approach using a driving simulator to assess different usage patterns is relatively novel.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* The following are inclusion criteria for participants to be enrolled in any of the four phases of the study:

  1. Participants who are ≥21 years old and ≤55 years old
  2. Participants who are able to provide written, informed consent
  3. Participants with active healthcare coverage (including health insurance, Medicaid, etc.)
  4. Participants who are willing to complete up to two in-person study visits (one for Phases 1 \& 2, and two for Phases 3 \& 4), including up to two urine drug screens, two alcohol breathalyzer tests, and one urine pregnancy test (if applicable)
  5. Participants who agree to refrain from using non-prescription psychotropic drugs (e.g., ecstasy), hallucinogens, and synthetic cannabinoids during the study
  6. Participants who agree to refrain from drinking \>3 alcoholic drinks the day prior to the data collection study visit (the single visit for Phases 1 \& 2, and the second visit for Phases 3 \& 4)
  7. Participants who agree to refrain from using any cannabis products for at least 8 hours prior to the data collection study visit (the single visit for Phases 1 \& 2, and the second visit for Phases 3 \& 4)
  8. Participants who are willing to provide and use their own cannabis product that has been procured from a licensed dispensary, is labeled with THC potency, and contains \<2% CBD (cannabis use groups only; the single visit for Phases 1 \& 2, and the second visit for Phases 3 \& 4)
  9. Participants who agree to have a sober driver pick them up after the data collection study visit (cannabis use groups only; the single visit for Phases 1 \& 2, and the second visit for Phases 3 \& 4)
  10. Participants who take at least 2 inhalations ("hits") during their typical inhalational (smoking/vaporizing) sessions, or ingest at least 5 mg of THC when they consume edible cannabis products (cannabis use groups only)
  11. Participants who are willing to provide a sample of their cannabis to be independently tested for potency and terpene content (Phases 1, 3 \& 4 only)

Exclusion Criteria:

* The following are exclusion criteria for participants to be enrolled in any of the four phases of the study:

  1. Prisoners
  2. Participants who have nocturnal schedules (e.g., work night shifts)
  3. Participants with a history of abuse or addiction to substances other than cannabis (e.g., prescription and non-prescription pharmaceuticals, alcohol, or illicit drugs)
  4. Participants who have expressed an interest in substance abuse treatment within the 60 days prior to study enrollment
  5. Participants who report consuming an average of \>3 alcoholic drinks per day in the 30 days prior to study enrollment
  6. Participants with any past or current diagnosis of schizophrenia, narcolepsy, heart disease, epilepsy, or a traumatic brain injury
  7. Participants who are currently experiencing untreated bipolar disorder, major depression, sleep apnea, or other uncontrolled medical conditions as determined by the investigators (e.g., hypertension)
  8. Participants with a known balance or gait disorder
  9. Participants with color blindness (Phase 2 only)
  10. Participants who currently wear hard contact lenses for vision correction (Phase 2 only)
  11. Participants who have donated 450 mL or more of blood in the two weeks prior to study enrollment
  12. Participants who are pregnant or breastfeeding (female participants only)
  13. Participants who report never using cannabis before in their lifetime (Phases 1 \& 2 only)
  14. Participants with a history of clinically significant adverse event(s) associated with cannabis intoxication (e.g., lightheadedness, nausea, dizziness, etc., cannabis use groups only)
  15. Participants with uncorrected visual acuity disorder, defined as binocular vision worse than 20/40 (Phases 2, 3 \& 4 only; determined at screening)
  16. Participants with a body mass index \>40 kg/m2 (determined at screening)
  17. Participants with a positive breath alcohol test (breathalyzer) at screening
  18. Participants who are otherwise unsuitable for inclusion in the study, based on the opinion of the investigator

Where this trial is running

Denver, Colorado

• Driving Study Lab — Denver, Colorado, United States (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Sarah A Limbacher, MPH

Conditions: Cannabis Use, Driving Impairment