Cannabidiol (CBD) content in vaporized cannabis does not prevent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of driving and cognition

Summary

Both THC-dominant and THC/CBD equivalent cannabis increased lane weaving during simulated driving but had little effect on other driving measures. Impairment on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task, Divided Attention Task, and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task occurred with both active cannabis types, with worse performance on the latter two tasks after THC/CBD equivalent cannabis. Subjective feelings of being "stoned" and confidence in driving ability did not differ by CBD content. Peak plasma THC concentrations were higher after THC/CBD equivalent cannabis, suggesting a possible pharmacokinetic interaction. Cannabis with equivalent CBD and THC appears no less impairing than THC-dominant cannabis, and CBD may exacerbate THC-induced impairment in some circumstances.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The main psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), can impair driving performance. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-intoxicating cannabis component, is thought to mitigate certain adverse effects of THC. It is possible then that cannabis containing equivalent CBD and THC will differentially affect driving and cognition relative to THC-dominant cannabis. AIMS: The present study investigated and compared the effects of THC-dominant and THC/CBD equivalent cannabis on simulated driving and cognitive performance. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover design, healthy volunteers (n = 14) with a history of light cannabis use attended three outpatient experimental test sessions in which simulated driving and cognitive performance were assessed at two timepoints (20-60 min and 200-240 min) following vaporization of 125 mg THC-dominant (11% THC; < 1% CBD), THC/CBD equivalent (11% THC, 11% CBD), or placebo (< 1% THC/CBD) cannabis. RESULTS/OUTCOMES: Both active cannabis types increased lane weaving during a car-following task but had little effect on other driving performance measures. Active cannabis types impaired performance on the Digit Symbol Substitution Task (DSST), Divided Attention Task (DAT) and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) with impairment on the latter two tasks worse with THC/CBD equivalent cannabis. Subjective drug effects (e.g., "stoned") and confidence in driving ability did not vary with CBD content. Peak plasma THC concentrations were higher following THC/CBD equivalent cannabis relative to THC-dominant cannabis, suggesting a possible pharmacokinetic interaction. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Cannabis containing equivalent concentrations of CBD and THC appears no less impairing than THC-dominant cannabis, and in some circumstances, CBD may actually exacerbate THC-induced impairment.