See if PP-01 helps reduce cannabis withdrawal in adults with cannabis use disorder
Official title: A Phase 3, Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo and Active-Controlled Clinical Trial of Titrating Doses of PP-01 for the Mitigation of Cannabis Withdrawal Symptoms in Adults With Cannabis Use Disorder: Core Study With Safety Extension Phase
Run by PleoPharma, Inc. · NCT07644052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests PP-01 against nabilone and placebo to see if it eases withdrawal symptoms when adults with cannabis use disorder stop using cannabis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 3 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 420 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | PleoPharma, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 22 sites (Little Rock, Arkansas and 21 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 17, 2026 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | September 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07644052 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18-55 with DSM-5 diagnosed moderate to severe cannabis use disorder who are motivated to discontinue cannabis and meet health and reproductive criteria.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who do not experience withdrawal reduction or who do not respond to PP-01, nabilone, or placebo may not see a benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, double-blind, multicenter phase 3 trial comparing PP-01 with nabilone and placebo for cannabis withdrawal in adults with moderate to severe cannabis use disorder. Participants receive a daily dose for 34 days, with total participation around 78 days including screening and a one-week inpatient stay, followed by outpatient visits and some telemedicine. Daily symptom diaries and questionnaires track withdrawal symptoms and other outcomes. Eligible participants are adults 18-55 who are motivated to quit cannabis, meet DSM-5 criteria for CUD, and meet specific health and reproductive criteria. A potential extension study may enroll some completers who meet criteria.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, PP-01 could provide a new option to lessen cannabis withdrawal and support quitting in people with cannabis use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier studies with similar pharmacologic approaches have shown mixed or variable results; this trial tests a new compound in a rigorous design.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Generally healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 55, inclusive.
2. Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for current moderate to severe CUD as confirmed by a licensed physician or psychologist or addiction medicine specialist.
3. BMI within 18.0 to 38.0 kg/m2, inclusive.
4. Female participants must not be pregnant or lactating. If of childbearing potential - the participant agrees to use an accepted contraceptive regimen.
5. Male participants who are fertile and engage in sexual activity must agree to use a double barrier method (e.g., condom and spermicide) during the study and to not donate sperm for 90 days after the last dose of study medication.
6. Be seeking and motivated to discontinue cannabis and to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
7. Agree to not use cannabis or any product containing CBD, hemp derivatives, terpenes or any THC containing product including delta-8, delta-10, THC-A or any other cannabinoid-like product following Randomization and throughout the study duration.
8. Meet DSM-5 Cannabis Withdrawal Criteria.
9. Report heavy use of daily/near daily cannabis.
10. Have a urine drug screen positive for THC/THC metabolite and have a negative result for all other illicit/excluded drugs and alcohol at Screening and Randomization.
11. Capable of giving informed consent and stated willingness to comply with all study procedures including inpatient and weekly outpatient visits, daily evening video calls, restrictions, and availability for the duration of the study.
12. Willing to be admitted to an inpatient clinic with overnight stays on Days 1 through 6 and return for all outpatient visits.
13. Ability to take study drug capsules at approximately the same time each day.
14. Have regular access to the internet and access to video/virtual capabilities for video calls by any means.
15. Agree to not use any alcohol during the study.
16. No plan to change current nicotine use.
17. Ability to read, understand, and complete daily diaries.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Lifetime history of DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder.
2. Current DSM-5 criteria for a psychiatric disorder that in the Investigator's judgment is unstable, would be disrupted by the study medication, or is likely to require new pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy during the study period. Individuals who are currently stable on psychotropic medication for at least 3 months may be included at the discretion of the Investigator's judgement.
3. Participants who meet DSM-5 criteria for any history of or current drug use disorder within the previous 2 years, other than cannabis, nicotine, or caffeine use disorders.
4. Participants who consume alcohol on a regular or frequent basis and who do not agree or are deemed by the Investigator to be unable to discontinue alcohol for the duration of the study.
5. Participants using cannabis for a physician directed medical condition requiring use such as epilepsy.
6. Any clinically important abnormalities on Screening physical examination, assessments, electrocardiogram, or laboratory tests.
7. Current or recent history of significant violent or suicidal behavior, risk for suicide or homicide.
8. History of clinically significant medical condition that, in the opinion of the Principal Investigator, would jeopardize the safety of the participant or impact on the validity of the study results.
9. Participants with risk factors for seizure.
10. Known history of allergy, intolerance, or hypersensitivity to nabilone, gabapentin, or pregabalin.
11. Prohibited medications at Screening:
* Current use of narcotics, psychedelics, stimulants, opioid agonists and antagonists, kratom, illicit drugs, ketamine, unregulated psychoactive drugs (sometimes known as "gas station drugs"), or products intended to induce a feeling of being high except for cannabis
* Regular benzodiazepine use (more than once per week) and no use within 7 days of Baseline Visit (Day 1)
* Current use (within 7 days of Baseline Visit) of OTC products to help with sleep or anxiety
* Prescription medications to help with sleep or anxiety within 14 days of Screening
* Current use of nabilone, dronabinol, Sativex, Epidiolex, synthetic cannabinoids
* Gabapentin or pregabalin or use within 30 days of Screening
12. Heavy users of alcohol within 60 days of Screening or binge drinkers of alcohol within 30 days of Screening.
13. A positive urine drug/alcohol test at Screening or Randomization for narcotics and/or illicit drugs other than cannabis. If the test is positive for benzodiazepines or alcohol at Screening, and if it is reported that they are only occasional users, a repeat urine drug screen can be performed at the discretion of the Medical Monitor and must be negative at the time of Randomization.
14. Use of an investigational drug or biologic within 30 days or 5 times the half-life (whichever is longer) prior to the Screening Visit.
15. Active influenza or COVID-19 infection or planned vaccination.
16. Prior participation in any PleoPharma clinical study.
Where it's running
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Woodland International Research Group, LLC
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Woodland Research Northwest, LLC
Rogers, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Yale Stress Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States Recruiting -
University Clinical Research-DeLand, LLC d/b/a Accel Research Sites - DeLand Clinical Research Unit
DeLand, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Research Centers of America
Hollywood, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Sandhill Research, LLC d/b/a Accel Research Sites - St. Pete - Largo Clinical Research Unit
Largo, Florida, United States Recruiting
Show 16 more locations
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ForCare Clinical Research
Tampa, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Neuroscience Research Institute
West Palm Beach, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Sandhill Research, LLC d/b/a Accel Research Sites - NeuroStudies Clinical Research Unit 755
Decatur, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Evergreen Clinical Trials
Norcross, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
CenExel iResearch, LLC
Savannah, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
AMR Clinical
Lexington, Kentucky, United States Recruiting -
Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Oasis Clinical Research
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Recruiting -
Hassman Research Institute, LLC d/b/a CenExel Marlton, NJ
Marlton, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene/ New York State Psychiatric Institute
New York, New York, United States Recruiting -
Richmond Behavioral Associates
Staten Island, New York, United States Recruiting -
Neuro-Behavioral Clinical Research, Inc.
North Canton, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Coastal Carolina Research Center, LLC
North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
AMR Clinical
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States Recruiting -
Community Clinical Research, Inc.
Austin, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Memorial Hermann Village
Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: LBR Regulatory
- Email: lois.rosenberger@lbria.com
- Phone: 859-426-5035
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.