Reinforcing effects of oral THC

• $39.95
• 1 mg
• Link.springer.com

This study was conducted to characterize the reinforcing effects of oral Δ9-THC in experienced marijuana smokers under controlled laboratory conditions. Ten healthy male marijuana users completed this 17-day residential study. On days 2, 6, 10, and 14, at 0900 h, participants received a "sample" oral dose of Δ9-THC (0, 10, 20 mg) and an alternative reinforcer, a $2 voucher (redeemable for cash at study's end). Over the next 3 days, they had 11 opportunities to self-administer either the sampled dose of Δ9-THC or to receive a $2 voucher. Participants chose active Δ9-THC (10 and 20 mg) more often than placebo (<two selections vs ∼four selections, respectively). However, they chose active Δ9-THC on less than 50% of choice opportunities. Both active Δ9-THC doses produced significant increases in "positive" subjective effects, impaired psychomotor performance, and increased heart rate, relative to the placebo conditions. These data indicate that oral Δ9-THC may have modest abuse liability in experienced marijuana smokers.