The Medical Marijuana for Chronic Pain (MCP) Study – For People with Chronic Pain Using Medical Marijuana

STUDY BASICS

Are you age 60 or older? Do you use medical marijuana for chronic pain? If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study to help learn more about the effects of medical marijuana on thinking, walking and quality of life. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

Chronic pain, defined as pain that lasts for three months or longer, affects millions of older adults. Some older adults use medical marijuana to relieve symptoms associated with chronic pain, but little is known about how medical marijuana affects walking and thinking abilities in adults over 60 years of age. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about the effects of medical marijuana on thinking, walking and quality of life in people age 60 and older who have chronic pain and are using medical marijuana.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 60 and up
• Have had chronic pain every day, or almost every day, for at least the past three months
• Currently using medical marijuana for chronic pain
• No current or past history of recreational drug use
• Able to walk without assistance for about two minutes on a flat and firm surface without stopping (use of cane OK)
• Not diagnosed with heart failure, Meniere’s disease, stroke, spinal cord damage with weakness, schizophrenia, seizure disorder or epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury or concussion
• Not taking any medications that target memory, such as for Alzheimer’s disease
• No use of supplemental oxygen
• No hospitalization for a major illness in the last three months
• No joint surgery or joint replacement in the past six months
• No serious vision or hearing issues
• Not alcohol dependent
• Willing to have a blood draw
• Fluent in English

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation involves one to two visits, scheduled six months apart. Each visit will take about three hours to complete. During the visits, participants will be asked to walk indoors on a level surface, perform mental tasks on paper and computer, and undergo a blood sample collection by means of a needle-stick in the arm. Some participants may be asked to repeat the same tests again at another visit in six months.