Research Studies

PRIMARY AIMS: (1) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on spontaneous chronic spine pain relief, as measured by change in score on the 10-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS); (2) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on experimental pain analgesia, as measured by change in Experimental Pain Threshold (EPTh), in both patients with chronic spine pain and healthy controls. SECONDARY AIMS: (1) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on chronic spine pain, as measured by the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale; (2) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on subjective reports of drug effects, psychoactive effects, and mood; (3) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on tests of neurocognitive functioning (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-III) Digit Symbol Test, the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test Revised (HVLT), and the Grooved Pegboard Test); (4) To compare the effects of cannabis versus oxycodone versus placebo on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST).