Cannabinoids for Osteoarthritis Pain Effectiveness Trial

What this study is about

This study aims to investigate whether oral cannabis extracts can effectively manage pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA), a common joint condition affecting one in seven Canadians. Current OA treatments often have limited effectiveness and may cause side effects. As a result, many individuals with OA turn to medical cannabis for pain relief, despite limited scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. The goal of this study is to assess the feasibility of a larger trial evaluating the effects of two cannabis compounds-CBD and THC-compared to a placebo (a look-alike substance containing no active drug) on pain interference in patients with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis. Participants will: * Take either CBD, THC, or a placebo capsule daily for 8 weeks * Complete follow-ups remotely, with no in-person clinic visits required * Maintain a diary tracking their study drug usage and any additional pain medications

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Age 40-80 years
• Diagnosed with hip and/or knee osteoarthritis as per the American College of Rheumatology criteria
• Experiencing moderate to severe pain interference as indicated by a PROMIS-PI SF-6a T-score ≥ 60
• Have not initiated any new analgesics or osteoarthritis treatments in the previous 4 weeks
• Able to self-report, understand and read English or French

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Hip or knee surgery planned in the coming 4 months,
• Injection into the affected joint(s) within the past 3 months (e.g., cortisone, plasma-rich protein, etc.),
• Planned injection into the affected joint(s) during trial period,
• Inflammatory arthritis (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriatic arthritis, gout, etc.),
• Contraindications to taking cannabis/cannabinoids,
• Used nabilone or nabiximols in the last 30 days,
• Used cannabis (medical or recreational) in the last 30 days (to allow sufficient washout),
• A history of diagnosed cannabis use disorder or dependence,
• Active substance use disorder,
• Current DSM-V diagnosis of bipolar disorder, major depression, or psychosis,
• An uncontrolled medical or major psychiatric disorder,
• Currently on warfarin,
• Known pregnancy or currently breastfeeding,
• Men and women planning a pregnancy during the study or in the 12 weeks after stopping IPs
• No fixed address or a plan to change addresses in the coming 4 months,
• Known or suspected allergy to palm/coconut oil

Where this trial is running

• University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• McGill University Health Centre/Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Who to contact

Sonal Thaker · 1-416-340-4800 · sonalben.thaker@uhn.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT06878417.