April 13, 2008
University of Iowa scientists seek marijuana smokers for pot study
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- A group of University of Iowa scientists is looking for marijuana smokers to help gain insight into the drug's effects -- and they plan to pay subjects as much as $600 to smoke their pot.
The study examines how marijuana affects brain function and cognition, with particular attention to the duration of use and the age of first use. The measure is brain imaging studies and achievement tests, such as for math and verbal skills.
Robert Block, an associate professor in the school's Department of Anesthesia and the lead investigator on the project, said the group is looking for pot users and control subjects who consume alcohol and tobacco -- but not marijuana -- to participate in the study.
Subjects receive $20 for an initial screening session, and those that participate fully pocket $600.
"The hypothesis is that people that use it at an early age have a greater effect, and the longer a person uses it, the greater the effect," said Block.
Names of people in the study are protected from disclosure by a federal certificate that guarantees confidentiality.
"Even if the police issue a subpoena, it could be refused," Block said. "As a researcher, we would normally promise the subject confidentiality, and we do, but without this certificate, we don't have the right to refuse a subpoena."
Subjects would be expected to commit about 60 hours to the study, including a lengthy screening and two overnight hospital stays, according to Block. The user group will each be given a tobacco cigarette-sized marijuana joint, which is supplied by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, to smoke when they first arrive at the hospital.
The tests begin 24 hours later.
Block said that, depending on the results, the study might ultimately be used to support political positions on marijuana, such as whether there should be harsher criminal penalties, whether it should be decriminalized, or whether it should be allowed for medicinal purposes.
"Because it is a politically sensitive topic, if results show bad effects, it might be used by people who oppose drug use. If they are negative, it might be cited by people who support marijuana use for political purposes," Block said.
Diigo
