Understanding the Clinical Pharmacology of Marijuana-Tobacco Co-administration
University of California, San Francisco · with National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH) · NCT05999383
Opens the official ClinicalTrials.gov record, with the study team’s contacts. Bored Studies doesn’t enroll anyone.
Key facts
- Compensation
- Not posted. Ask the study team before screening.
- Who can join
- Ages 21–65 · All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Study type
- Interventional · Phase 2
- Target enrollment
- 48
- US sites recruiting
- 1
- Study start
- July 1, 2025
- Record last updated
- January 7, 2026
Status re-checked against ClinicalTrials.gov within the last 12 hours.
What the study is about
This is a crossover, randomized, double-blinded clinical pharmacology study enrolling dual cannabis-tobacco smokers to better understand the combined effects of co-administering cannabis and tobacco. The project aims to describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of marijuana-tobacco co-administration by delivering THC and nicotine in various combinations. This foundational study will establish a research program focused on elucidating the public health consequences of marijuana-tobacco co-use.
Being studied: Cannabis; Nicotine; Pax Loose Leaf Vaporizer; Placebo Marijuana
Conditions: THC; Cannabis; Cannabis Use; Cannabis Smoking; Tobacco Use; Vaping
Eligibility criteria
Copied from the official record. The study team makes the final decision at screening.
Show full criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Heart rate \< 105 beats per minute (BPM)*
- Systolic Blood Pressure \< 160 and > 90*
- Diastolic Blood Pressure \< 100 and > 50*
*Considered out of range if both machine and manual readings are above/below these thresholds.
- Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 38.0 (at investigator's discretion for higher BMI if no other concurrent health issues)
- Current regular user of cannabis who smokes or vapes cannabis or THC extracts at least three days a week for the past 3 months or more
- Test positive for D-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at screening and self-report of cannabis use
- Current user of inhaled forms of tobacco/nicotine (cigarette, cigars, e-cigarettes) who use the product daily for the past 3 months or more
- Saliva cotinine ≥ 30 ng/mL
Exclusion Criteria
- Unstable medical conditions:
- Heart disease
- Seizures
- Cancer
- Thyroid disease (okay if controlled with medication)
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis B or C or Liver disease
- Glaucoma
- Kidney disease or urinary retention
- An ulcer in the past year
- Active use of an inhaler for asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Hypertension if uncontrolled (meaning participant has a diagnosis, but they are not taking medication/under treatment (e.g., diet or exercise plan)
- Drug/Alcohol Dependence
- Alcohol or illicit drug dependence within the past 12 months (currently in treatment) with the exception of those who recently completed an alcohol/drug treatment program
- Positive toxicology test at the screening visit (THC \& prescribed medications okay)
- Opioid replacement therapy (including methadone, buprenorphine, or other)
- Psychiatric conditions
- Current or past schizophrenia, and/or current or past bipolar disorder
- Major depression, current or within the past year
- Major personality disorder
- Participants with current or past minor or moderate depression and/or anxiety disorders will be reviewed by the PI [study physician] and considered for inclusion
- History of psychiatric hospitalizations are not exclusionary, but study participation will be determined as per PI's [study physician's] approval
- Current regular use of any psychiatric medications with the exception of Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) and current evaluation by the PI that the participant is otherwise healthy, stable, and able to participate
- Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency disorders (i.e. HIV, congenital immune deficiency syndrome, chronic diseases)
- Other disorders (i.e. ICU, malnutrition, immunosuppressive therapy)
- Traumatic brain injury
- Recent onset or change (worsening) in cough, fever and/or abdominal symptoms (vomiting or pain) in the past two weeks
- Medications
- Use of medications that are inducers of nicotine metabolizing enzyme CYP2A6 (Example: rifampicin, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, and other anticonvulsant drugs)
- Concurrent use of nicotine-containing medications
- Any stimulant medications (ex. Adderall) generally given for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment
- Other/Misc. Chronic Health Problems
- Oral thrush
- Fainting
- Other "life threatening illnesses" as per study physician's discretion
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy (self-reported and urine pregnancy test)
- Breastfeeding (determined by self-report)
- Concurrent participation in another clinical trial
- Inability to communicate in English
- History of marijuana-induced psychosis or paranoia after smoking marijuana
- Scoring a 7 or higher on the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for cannabis use
- Planning to quit smoking or vaping within the next 60 days
- Planning to quit cannabis use within the next 60 days
- Uncomfortable with getting blood drawn
- Willingness to abstain from tobacco smoking and all combustible products for 13 hours before admission
- Willingness to abstain from smoking/ingestion of cannabis 13 hours before
- Willingness to abstain from nicotine products 13 hours before each admission
Recruiting US locations
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
San Francisco, CA 94110
Site contact: Lisa Lawrence · Lisa.Lawrence@ucsf.edu
Study contacts (from the official record)
- Armando Barraza · 628-206-4226 · armando.barraza@ucsf.edu
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