Rebecca L Hartman1, Timothy L Brown2, Gary Milavetz3, Andrew Spurgin3, Russell S Pierce4, David A Gorelick5, Gary Gaffney6, Marilyn A Huestis7. 1. Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, 251 Bayview Boulevard Ste 200 Rm 05A721, Baltimore, MD, USA; Program in Toxicology, University of Maryland Baltimore, 660 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD, USA. 2. National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa, 2401 Oakdale Boulevard, Iowa City, IA, USA. 3. College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. 4. Variable Solutions, USA. 5. Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, 251 Bayview Boulevard Ste 200 Rm 05A721, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. 6. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA. 7. Chemistry and Drug Metabolism, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, 251 Bayview Boulevard Ste 200 Rm 05A721, Baltimore, MD, USA. Electronic address: mhuestis@intra.nida.nih.gov.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Effects of cannabis, the most commonly encountered non-alcohol drug in driving under the influence cases, are heavily debated. We aim to determine how blood Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations relate to driving impairment, with and without alcohol. METHODS: Current occasional (≥1×/last 3 months, ≤3days/week) cannabis smokers drank placebo or low-dose alcohol, and inhaled 500mg placebo, low (2.9%)-THC, or high (6.7%)-THC vaporized cannabis over 10min ad libitum in separate sessions (within-subject design, 6 conditions). Participants drove (National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa) simulated drives (∼0.8h duration). Blood, oral fluid (OF), and breath alcohol samples were collected before (0.17h, 0.42h) and after (1.4h, 2.3h) driving that occurred 0.5-1.3h after inhalation. We evaluated standard deviations of lateral position (lane weave, SDLP) and steering angle, lane departures/min, and maximum lateral acceleration. RESULTS: In N=18 completers (13 men, ages 21-37years), cannabis and alcohol increased SDLP. Blood THC concentrations of 8.2 and 13.1μg/L during driving increased SDLP similar to 0.05 and 0.08g/210L breath alcohol concentrations, the most common legal alcohol limits. Cannabis-alcohol SDLP effects were additive rather than synergistic, with 5μg/L THC+0.05g/210L alcohol showing similar SDLP to 0.08g/210L alcohol alone. Only alcohol increased lateral acceleration and the less-sensitive lane departures/min parameters. OF effectively documented cannabis exposure, although with greater THC concentration variability than paired blood samples. CONCLUSIONS:SDLP was a sensitive cannabis-related lateral control impairment measure. During drive blood THC ≥8.2μg/L increased SDLP similar to notably-impairing alcohol concentrations. Despite OF's screening value, OF variability poses challenges in concentration-based effects interpretation. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Effects of cannabis, the most commonly encountered non-alcohol drug in driving under the influence cases, are heavily debated. We aim to determine how blood Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations relate to driving impairment, with and without alcohol. METHODS: Current occasional (≥1×/last 3 months, ≤3days/week) cannabis smokers drank placebo or low-dose alcohol, and inhaled 500mg placebo, low (2.9%)-THC, or high (6.7%)-THC vaporized cannabis over 10min ad libitum in separate sessions (within-subject design, 6 conditions). Participants drove (National Advanced Driving Simulator, University of Iowa) simulated drives (∼0.8h duration). Blood, oral fluid (OF), and breath alcohol samples were collected before (0.17h, 0.42h) and after (1.4h, 2.3h) driving that occurred 0.5-1.3h after inhalation. We evaluated standard deviations of lateral position (lane weave, SDLP) and steering angle, lane departures/min, and maximum lateral acceleration. RESULTS: In N=18 completers (13 men, ages 21-37years), cannabis and alcohol increased SDLP. Blood THC concentrations of 8.2 and 13.1μg/L during driving increased SDLP similar to 0.05 and 0.08g/210L breath alcohol concentrations, the most common legal alcohol limits. Cannabis-alcoholSDLP effects were additive rather than synergistic, with 5μg/L THC+0.05g/210L alcohol showing similar SDLP to 0.08g/210L alcohol alone. Only alcohol increased lateral acceleration and the less-sensitive lane departures/min parameters. OF effectively documented cannabis exposure, although with greater THC concentration variability than paired blood samples. CONCLUSIONS:SDLP was a sensitive cannabis-related lateral control impairment measure. During drive blood THC ≥8.2μg/L increased SDLP similar to notably-impairing alcohol concentrations. Despite OF's screening value, OF variability poses challenges in concentration-based effects interpretation. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Authors: Marilyn A Huestis; Alain Verstraete; Tai C Kwong; Jorg Morland; Michael J Vincent; Raphael de la Torre Journal: Clin Chem Date: 2011-02-24 Impact factor: 8.327
Authors: Stefan W Toennes; Johannes G Ramaekers; Eef L Theunissen; Manfred R Moeller; Gerold F Kauert Journal: J Anal Toxicol Date: 2008-09 Impact factor: 3.367
Authors: Benedikt Fischer; Cayley Russell; Pamela Sabioni; Wim van den Brink; Bernard Le Foll; Wayne Hall; Jürgen Rehm; Robin Room Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2017-06-23 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Pia M Mauro; Hannah Carliner; Qiana L Brown; Deborah S Hasin; Dvora Shmulewitz; Reanne Rahim-Juwel; Aaron L Sarvet; Melanie M Wall; Silvia S Martins Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 2.582