Oral Cannabidiol for Tobacco Cessation

Last updated: January 5, 2026
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

1

Condition

Tobacco Use Disorder

Treatment

600 mg Cannabidiol

300 mg Cannabidiol

Placebo

Clinical Study ID

NCT05445804
IRB00170600
R21DA045744
  • Ages 18-65
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

Cannabidiol is a compound found in cannabis plants that is well tolerated, has low abuse liability, and might be an effective medication to promote tobacco cessation. This clinical study will use a validated approach for screening tobacco cessation medications to determine if oral cannabidiol increases short-term tobacco abstinence, and evaluate mechanisms that might explain how cannabidiol alters smoking behavior. Results from this study will provide data on the therapeutic potential of cannabidiol for tobacco cessation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Have provided written informed consent

  2. Be between the ages of 18 and 65

  3. Report use of > 10 cigarettes per day for > 1 year with smoking status verified byeither a positive breath carbon monoxide test (>8ppm) or urine cotinine test (>200ng/mL) at screening

  4. Report interest in quitting tobacco in the next two months

  5. Are willing to engage in a series of practice quit attempts as part of the study.

  6. Be in good general health based on a physical examination, medical history, vitalsigns, and screening urine and blood tests as determined by a licensed medicalprofessional.

  7. For women of children bearing potential and men with female partners ofchild-bearing potential, must be willing to use an effective form of contraceptionduring the study and for at least 30 days after the last study drug administration.Acceptable forms of contraception include: double barrier contraception or acombination of a barrier contraception and a hormonal implant, injectable, combinedoral contraceptive, or a male partner who has had a vasectomy; intrauterine deviceor tubal ligation.

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-V criteria for substance use disorders exceptfor nicotine or tobacco use disorders

  2. Are currently receiving or interested in immediately receiving behavioral treatmentor medication for smoking cessation

  3. Test positive for drugs of abuse (except nicotine) and/or breath alcohol test atstudy admission

  4. Have a current physical or mental illness judged by the study team to negativelyimpact participant safety or scientific integrity.

  5. Have a lifetime history of suicidal behavior (i.e. past suicide attempt), or currentsuicidal behavior or ideation as assessed by the Columbia Suicide Severity RatingScale (C-SSRS)

  6. Are currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant in the next three months or arecurrently breastfeeding.

  7. Use of an over the counter, systemic or topical drug(s), herbal supplement(s), orvitamin(s) within 14 days (or 5 half-lives for that specific drug) of experimentalsessions; which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere withthe study results or the safety of the participant

  8. Use of a prescription medication (with the exception of birth control prescriptions)within 14 days (or 5 half-lives for that specific drug) of experimental sessions;which, in the opinion of the investigator or sponsor, will interfere with the studyresult or the safety of the participant. This includes any medication metabolizedvia CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2B10, or which induce/inhibit CYP3A4 enzymes.

  9. Have a history of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias or vasospastic disease (e.g. Prinzmetal's angina).

  10. Have elevated serum liver transaminase (AST or ALT) above 2 x upper limit of normal,or elevated bilirubin above 1.5 x upper limit of normal.

  11. Are currently enrolled in another clinical trial or have received any drug as partof a research study within 30 days of study participation.

Study Design

Total Participants: 50
Treatment Group(s): 3
Primary Treatment: 600 mg Cannabidiol
Phase: 1
Study Start date:
November 01, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
February 01, 2027

Study Description

Although tobacco smoking rates continue to decrease, cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States and few tobacco users achieve sustained abstinence, underscoring the need for alternative treatments. The endocannabinoid system can modulate the reinforcing effects of nicotine and may be a target for development of pharmacotherapies for tobacco cessation. The cannabinoid type 1 receptor receptor inverse agonist/antagonist rimonabant has demonstrated efficacy in increasing tobacco abstinence rates in clinical trials, though it was abandoned as a viable medication due to adverse psychiatric side effects. Compounds that have similar pharmacology to rimonabant, but without the adverse psychiatric side effect profile may be efficacious for tobacco cessation. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring constituent of the cannabis plant that has been well tolerated in clinical studies and has low abuse liability. CBD has demonstrated anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and antidepressant effects, and can reduce appetite, suggesting that it may reduce known nicotine withdrawal symptoms associated with relapse. One clinical study provided initial evidence that CBD may be useful to promote tobacco cessation, however, the mechanism by which smoking was reduced is not clear and appropriate dosing remains unknown.

This research will apply a rigorous methodological approach as an early screener for potential pharmacotherapies for tobacco dependence. This approach will utilize systematic dose administration and biochemical verification of smoking abstinence to evaluate CBD as a potential pharmacotherapy for tobacco cessation. A double-blind, within-subject, double-crossover design will be used to compare the effect of twice-daily oral CBD and matched placebo on short-term tobacco abstinence, and explore potential mechanisms underlying the effect of CBD on tobacco withdrawal, negative affect, and reinforcement.

Connect with a study center

  • Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

    Baltimore, Maryland 21224
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit

    Baltimore 4347778, Maryland 4361885 21224
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

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