Image

Evaluating Tetrahydrocannabinol as an Adjunct to Opioid Agonist Therapy

Evaluating Tetrahydrocannabinol as an Adjunct to Opioid Agonist Therapy

Recruiting
25 years and older
All
Phase 2

Powered by AI

Overview

This pilot study will evaluate the feasibility and safety of using 1:1 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC):Cannabidiol (CBD) cannabis oil as an adjunct therapy to methadone-based Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT) for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) in a community setting.

Description

This is a single-site, two-phase pilot clinical trial evaluating the safety and feasibility of administering a balanced 1:1 ratio of THC:CBD cannabis oil alongside methadone-based opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in a community setting.

Phase 1 is a 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled study involving 24 eligible participants with opioid use disorder (OUD) who recently initiated or re-initiated methadone-based OAT. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either balanced THC:CBD cannabis oil or placebo oil. All participants will receive OUD clinical care, including OAT management, independent of research visits.

After the 12-week blinded treatment period (Phase 1), eligible participants will be invited to Phase 2, a 12-week open-label treatment extension study with all participants receiving balanced THC:CBD cannabis oil. Follow-up research visits will occur every two weeks from the start of open-label treatment.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Individuals of at least 25 years of age or older;
  2. Diagnosed with OUD as per DSM-5 criteria;
  3. Initiated or re-initiated methadone-based OAT within the past 30 days prior to study entry;
  4. Cannabis-use experienced, defined as having used any amount of cannabis in the six months prior to the screening visit;
  5. Willing to only use study-provided cannabis as directed by study protocol, including abstention from non-study cannabis and cannabinoids;
  6. Agree to keep all study medication stored in a secure location and not to share/distribute study medication to any other individual;
  7. If assigned female sex at birth:
    1. Be of non-childbearing potential, defined as (i) postmenopausal (12 months of spontaneous amenorrhea and over 45 years of age); or (ii) documented surgical sterilization (i.e., tubal ligation, hysterectomy, or bilateral oophorectomy); or
    2. If of childbearing potential, be willing to use an acceptable method of contraception throughout the study and have a negative pregnancy test at screening;
  8. Ability to understand and comply with study protocol procedures and to provide

    written informed consent.

Inclusion criteria for Phase 2

In addition to meeting all eligibility criteria outlined in Phase 1, participants will be eligible for Phase 2 provided they meet ALL the following criteria at Week 12:

  1. Participants who have not experienced a study medication-related serious adverse event during Phase 1;
  2. Participants who have not been lost to follow-up during Phase 1.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Any disabling, severe, or unstable medical or psychiatric condition that, in the opinion of the study physician, precludes safe participation in the study or the ability to provide fully informed consent, as assessed by medical and psychiatric history, physical examination, vital signs, and/or laboratory tests;
  2. Any severe or unstable co-morbid substance use disorder (e.g., delirium tremens, acute alcohol intoxication) that, in the opinion of the study physician, precludes safe participation in the study;
  3. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant;
  4. Known or suspected allergy or hypersensitivity to cannabinoids;
  5. History of respiratory disease, severe cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal or liver disease;
  6. Current or historic cannabis use disorder;
  7. Taking warfarin, clopidogrel, clobazam, theophylline, clozapine and olanzapine medications as they may interact with cannabinoids in a clinically significant manner if they cannot be switched to a different medication;
  8. Any personal or family history (first degree relative) of primary psychotic disorders (i.e., schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) as per DSM-5 criteria;
  9. Unable to abstain from driving any vehicle or operating machinery for at least 10 hours after taking the study medication. In cases where impairment persists beyond the initial 10-hour period, participants must continue to adhere to these restrictions until the impairment resolves;
  10. Actively participating in other interventional clinical trial(s);
  11. Incarcerated, pending legal action or other reasons that might prevent completion of the study.

Study details
    Opioid Use Disorder
    Methadone
    Cannabis
    Fentanyl

NCT05985850

BC Centre on Substance Use

15 October 2025

Step 1 Get in touch with the nearest study center
We have submitted the contact information you provided to the research team at {{SITE_NAME}}. A copy of the message has been sent to your email for your records.
Would you like to be notified about other trials? Sign up for Patient Notification Services.
Sign up

Send a message

Enter your contact details to connect with study team

Investigator Avatar

Primary Contact

  Other languages supported:

First name*
Last name*
Email*
Phone number*
Other language

FAQs

Learn more about clinical trials

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a study designed to test specific interventions or treatments' effectiveness and safety, paving the way for new, innovative healthcare solutions.

Why should I take part in a clinical trial?

Participating in a clinical trial provides early access to potentially effective treatments and directly contributes to the healthcare advancements that benefit us all.

How long does a clinical trial take place?

The duration of clinical trials varies. Some trials last weeks, some years, depending on the phase and intention of the trial.

Do I get compensated for taking part in clinical trials?

Compensation varies per trial. Some offer payment or reimbursement for time and travel, while others may not.

How safe are clinical trials?

Clinical trials follow strict ethical guidelines and protocols to safeguard participants' health. They are closely monitored and safety reviewed regularly.
Add a private note
  • abc Select a piece of text.
  • Add notes visible only to you.
  • Send it to people through a passcode protected link.