L Cinnamon Bidwell1,2,3, Hollis C Karoly4,5, Marco Ortiz Torres4, Ashley Master6, Angela D Bryan6, Kent E Hutchison7. 1. Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. lcb@colorado.edu. 2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. lcb@colorado.edu. 3. Center for Health and Neuroscience, Genes and Environment, University of Colorado Boulder, 1777 Exposition Drive Ste. 171, Boulder, CO, 80301, USA. lcb@colorado.edu. 4. Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. 5. Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA. 6. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA. 7. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, CO, USA.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Published studies examining the effects of cannabis have largely utilized forms of cannabis that are not representative of the legal market products currently available. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to characterize naturalistic use of legal market flower and edible products by examining associations among blood cannabinoids and amount of THC consumed as well as physiological, cognitive, and subjective effects in users of edible and flower forms. METHOD: Eighty-four participants who used cannabis at least 1 × /week (55 flower cannabis using participants; 29 edible cannabis using participants mean age = 31.95 years, 44% female) participated. At the experimental appointment in our mobile laboratory, participants completed a blood draw to assess plasma cannabinoids, measures of heart rate, subjective drug effects, and cognition both before and after ad libitum use of legal market flower or edible cannabis. RESULTS: Average self-reported THC consumed was 15.97 mg (SD = 22.40) in edible users and 51.25 mg (SD = 45.23) in flower users. In the edible group, but not the flower group, strong correlations emerged between self-reported ad libitum THC consumed and plasma THC. Plasma THC was significantly higher after use of inhaled cannabis, but similar levels of plasma THC metabolites and similar levels of subjective intoxication and verbal memory impairment were observed in both flower and edible users. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support strong correlations among ad libitum THC consumed and THC plasma levels after edible cannabis use and suggest few differences in intoxication and impairment between edible and flower cannabis users after ad libitum use. This novel study provides important preliminary data on the pharmacology and effects of legal market edible cannabis.
RATIONALE: Published studies examining the effects of cannabis have largely utilized forms of cannabis that are not representative of the legal market products currently available. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to characterize naturalistic use of legal market flower and edible products by examining associations among blood cannabinoids and amount of THC consumed as well as physiological, cognitive, and subjective effects in users of edible and flower forms. METHOD: Eighty-four participants who used cannabis at least 1 × /week (55 flower cannabis using participants; 29 edible cannabis using participants mean age = 31.95 years, 44% female) participated. At the experimental appointment in our mobile laboratory, participants completed a blood draw to assess plasma cannabinoids, measures of heart rate, subjective drug effects, and cognition both before and after ad libitum use of legal market flower or edible cannabis. RESULTS: Average self-reported THC consumed was 15.97 mg (SD = 22.40) in edible users and 51.25 mg (SD = 45.23) in flower users. In the edible group, but not the flower group, strong correlations emerged between self-reported ad libitum THC consumed and plasma THC. Plasma THC was significantly higher after use of inhaled cannabis, but similar levels of plasma THC metabolites and similar levels of subjective intoxication and verbal memory impairment were observed in both flower and edible users. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support strong correlations among ad libitum THC consumed and THC plasma levels after edible cannabis use and suggest few differences in intoxication and impairment between edible and flower cannabis users after ad libitum use. This novel study provides important preliminary data on the pharmacology and effects of legal market edible cannabis.
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