Cannabis-Tobacco Co-Use Treatment Study

Summary

The purpose of the RECLAIM study is to evaluate the effectiveness of varenicline (sometimes known as Chantix) compared to placebo (an inactive substance) for the treatment of cigarettes and cannabis (marijuana). Varenicline is not FDA approved for the combination treatment of cigarette abstinence and cannabis reduction or abstinence. All participants will also receive counseling and access to online treatment modules during a quit attempt for cigarettes and a reduction attempt for cannabis. This study is being conducted by the Medical University of South Carolina. All procedures are conducted remotely and there is no in-person visits are needed.

To qualify, participants must be 18 or older, live in South Carolina, use cigarettes and cannabis, and are interested in quitting cigarettes and reducing cannabis.

Conditions

• Tobacco Use Disorder
• Tobacco Use Cessation
• Cannabis Use
• Cannabis Use Disorder
• Marijuana Use

Interventions

DRUG

Varenicline

Participants will be randomized 1:1 to varenicline or matched placebo. The standard dose titration schedule will be used, which includes 0.5 mg once per day (q.d.) on Days 1-3, 0.5 mg twice per day (b.i.d.) on Days 4-7, and 1 mg b.i.d. starting on Day 8. Dosing of 2 mg per day will be maintained for the next 11 weeks.

BEHAVIORAL

Counseling

Research staff will provide skills-based counseling at weekly visits. Weekly counseling sessions will include discussion of online intervention modules, while providing skills-based strategies focused on enlisting social support, recognizing triggers, managing craving/withdrawal/stress, etc. Staff will use motivational enhancement techniques to address tobacco cessation, cannabis reduction or abstinence, and medication adherence.

BEHAVIORAL

Psychosocial modules

Participants will have access to online modules addressing tobacco and cannabis co-use to support cessation and/or reduction. Content includes 12 virtual modules combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement (MET) to address tobacco, cannabis, and their co-use.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  collaborator NIH

• Medical University of South Carolina

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Erin Mcclure · Medical University of South Carolina

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-05-06

Primary Completion

2028-09-01

Completion

2029-01-01

FDA Drug

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations