On February 26, 2019, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) staff and researchers gathered for a publication meeting and data unblinding for the MAPS-sponsored clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) as a treatment for PTSD symptoms in veterans. All 76 participants have completed treatment, and the data from the study are now being analyzed and prepared for publication later this year in a peer-reviewed biomedical journal.
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On February 8, 2019, MAPS-sponsored researchers officially completed the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) as a treatment for PTSD symptoms, with all 76 veterans enrolled and treated. The data from the study are now being analyzed and prepared for publication later this year in a peer-reviewed biomedical journal.
“We are thrilled to finally be at the finish line of this nearly 10-year saga trying to get this crucial clinical trial completed,” said Site Principal Investigator Sue Sisley, M.D. “We are immensely grateful to all of the study’s supporters, especially the veteran service organizations who helped us with patient recruitment.” • Read the Press Release
As of November 1, 2018, all participants completed treatment in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. • Learn more...
As of October 8, 2018, the 76th and final participant enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans, completing enrollment. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial is evaluating the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Learn more...
As of September 18, 2018, 75 of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans, nearly completing enrollment. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Our recruitment website can be visitedhere. Learn more...
As of Thursday, August 9, 2018, 71 of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for treatment of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Gabrielle Fortier, M.P.H., Clinical Research Associate of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MPBC), will monitor the site September 4 - 7, 2018. Our recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more...
As of Wednesday, July 18, 2018, 69 of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Gabrielle Fortier, M.P.H., Clinical Research Associate of the MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MPBC), monitored the site from July 16 - 20, 2018. Our recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more...
As of Wednesday, June 13, 2018, the 64th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. A new recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more…
On May 16, 2018, the 60th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. On March 26 - 29, Gabby Fortier, Clinical Research Associate, monitored the clinical research site. A new recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more…
On April 6, 2018, the 55th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. On March 26 - 29, Gabby Fortier, Clinical Research Associate, monitored the clinical research site. A new recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more…
| Visit the Recruitment Website
On March 28, 2018, the 50th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. A new recruitment website can be visited here. On March 26 - 29, Gabby Fortier, Clinical Research Associate, will monitor the site. Learn more…
| Visit the Recruitment Website
On January 30, 2018, the 38th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Learn more...
On February 12, 2018, the 42nd of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. A new recruitment website can be visited here. Learn more...
Adult military veterans who experienced trauma while in military service are needed for a research study. Study volunteers will complete 17 outpatient study visits over 12 weeks and a 6-month follow-up visit. The study will evaluate the effects of an investigational drug. Eligibility is determined by medical evaluation and modest compensation for participation is provided. All study visits occur at Scottsdale Research Institute. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (SRI).
On November 14, 2017, the 32nd of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
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On October 26, 2017, the 30th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
Learn more...
On September 20, 2017, the 27th of 76 participants enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
Learn more...
Adult military veterans who experienced trauma while in military service are needed for a research study. Study volunteers will complete 17 outpatient study visits over 12 weeks and a 6-month follow-up visit. The study will evaluate the effects of an investigational drug. Eligibility is determined by medical evaluation and modest compensation for participation is provided. All study visits occur at Scottsdale Research Institute. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (SRI).
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As of June 1, 2017, a total of 18 of 76 participants have enrolled and received study drug in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Four new participants have enrolled since May 4, and participant screening is ongoing. Taking place at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, this clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
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On March 13, March 15, and March 30, 2017, the fourth, fifth, and sixth participants were enrolled at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Arizona, in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. This clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
On March 10, before enrolling a single subject, Johns Hopkins University elected to not participate as a clinical trial site for this study. JHU researchers wanted to focus just on the science but MAPS felt it necessary to focus both on the science and on the politics of the quality of NIDA's marijuana and on ending NIDA's monopoly on the supply of federally legal marijuana for FDA-regulated research. The funding agency, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, signed a new contract with MAPS with SRI in Phoenix being the sole site where all subjects will now be recruited. Learn more...
To maintain transparency to the public and to ensure the reporting of accurate information, MAPS has released the results of the five rounds of secondary analytical testing of the chemical composition of NIDA cannabis.
Read the statement...
On February 9 and February 22, 2017, the second and third participants in the first-ever clinical trial of
smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans self-administered treatment at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Ariz. The second participant was enrolled on February 7, and the third participant was enrolled on February 17. This clinical trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana to manage symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Researchers have screened 131 candidates to date for participation this study.
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On February 6, 2017, the first participant in the first-ever clinical trial of smoked marijuana (cannabis) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans received cannabis at the Scottsdale Research Institute (SRI) in Phoenix, Ariz. This is the first time this investigational drug has been dispensed to a participant in the non-profit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)-sponsored clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four different potencies of marijuana to manage symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans.
By exploring the effectiveness of a variety of marijuana potencies, the study seeks to generate research data comparable to what veterans in medical marijuana states currently use. Results will provide vital information on marijuana dosing, composition, side effects, and areas of benefit to clinicians and legislators considering marijuana as a potential treatment for PTSD.
Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., of the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, oversees the two separate study sites as Coordinating Principal Investigator (PI). Bonn-Miller states, “As this is the first placebo-controlled trial of cannabis for PTSD, we are breaking important ground needed to identify improved treatment options for veterans with PTSD.”
Half of the subjects will be enrolled at SRI in Phoenix, Ariz., led by Co-Investigator/Site PI Sue Sisley, M.D., and the other half at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryl., led by Co-Investigator/Site PI Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D. Participant screening commenced on January 2, 2017, at SRI, and the first participant was officially enrolled on February 3. Johns Hopkins University commenced screening on January 19. Learn more...
On January 2, 2017, the first in-person participant screening was conducted by researchers at the Phoenix, Ariz., site for our upcoming clinical trial of smoked marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. This study is a multi-site Phase 2 drug development trial led by Coordinating Principal Investigator (PI) Marcel Bonn-Miller, Ph.D., with half of the 76 participants treated at the Johns Hopkins University site led by Site PI Ryan Vandrey, Ph.D., and the other half treated at the site in Phoenix, Ariz., led by Site PI Sue Sisley, M.D. We are currently recruiting participants across both sites. Learn more...
On October 3, 2016, researchers at the Phoenix, Ariz., site of our upcoming trial of smoked marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in U.S. veterans began screening participants. On September 29, the Phoenix site received the final delivery of study supplies, including the pipes that participants will use for self-administering marijuana. Former Clinical Research Associate Ben Shechet of MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MPBC) has transitioned his role to become the new Study Coordinator for our study site in Phoenix.
On August 25, 2016, Site Principal Investigator Sue Sisley, M.D., received the first shipment of marijuana from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), at the Phoenix, Ariz., site of our upcoming trial of
smoked marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in U.S. veterans. The marijuana arrived in dried bulk form, and will be analyzed by a secondary DEA-licensed laboratory for potency, mold and yeast testing. We currently expect to begin enrolling participants in September.
On August 10, 2016, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) approved the Scottsdale Research Institute's official request to order 6.3kg of marijuana to be used by the Phoenix, Ariz., study site in our upcoming study of medical marijuana for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in U.S. veterans. Multiple marijuana strains were requested, featuring varying levels of THC and CBD per strain, including high THC, high CBD, balanced THC/CBD, and placebo. On July 22, an independent Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the fifth protocol amendment for the Scottsdale Research Institute's portion of the study, which included changes to clarify several study procedures and adjust study measures. On August 1, the amendment was submitted to the FDA, and to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on August 2. We will begin screening study participants after NIDA provides a scheduled delivery date for the marijuana. Learn more...
From June 6-16, 2016, a series of investigator meetings and initiation visits took place in preparation for our upcoming study of smoked marijuana for symptoms of PTSD in 76 U.S. veterans. Principal Investigators, study coordinators, and study physicians met in Palo Alto, CA, Baltimore, MD, and Phoenix, AZ, to discuss study procedures, receive training on the electronic platforms to be used in the study, and review protocols for recruitment, enrollment, and study publicity. Discussions at these meetings led to an amendment to the study protocol to clarify several study procedures and adjust study measures. Once the amendment has been approved by the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at the Scottsdale Research Institute (Phoenix) and Johns Hopkins University (JHU), we will be able to begin recruiting and enrolling participants. We currently expect that this study will begin in August 2016.
On April 19, 2016, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) formally approved the first-ever randomized controlled trial of whole plant
medical marijuana (cannabis) as a treatment for PTSD in U.S. veterans. The DEA’s approval marks the first time a clinical trial intended to develop smoked botanical marijuana into a legal prescription drug has received full approval from U.S. regulatory agencies, including the DEA, FDA, and Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, and the Copernicus IRB. The randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled study will test the safety and efficacy of botanical marijuana in 76 U.S. military veterans with treatment-resistant PTSD. The study is funded by a $2.156 million grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to MAPS, which is sponsoring the study. MAPS’ study protocol will be replicated using vaporization by the Canadian medical marijuana producer Tilray, and by the University of Sydney using Tilray extracts in orally administered capsules.
View the press release