Presentation Information
[O-18-06]Medical Cannabis for Stimulant Use Disorder: A Colombian Preclinical Model Evaluating Cocaine, Alcohol, and Nicotine Under a Regulated Cannabis Framework
Jorge Ariel Martínez, *Fabian Leonardo Barreto, Maria Costanza Lozano (National University of Colombia(Colombia))
Keywords:
Medical Cannabis,Cocaine,CPP
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) remains a major global health concern, with limited pharmacological treatments currently available. The capacity of isolated cannabidiol (CBD) to modulate drug-associated memory processes is well established. However, the therapeutic potential of non-psychoactive cannabis extracts (NPCE) developed under medical cannabis regulation, remains largely unexplored in this framework. This study compared a full spectrum NPCE (containing 41% CBD, 0.6%cannabinol (CBN), 0.2% cannabigerol (CBG), 0.04% cannabichromene (CBC), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) 0.70% and multiple terpenes) with isolated CBD to evaluate their effects on memory reconsolidation and the reinstatement (triggered by stress or a priming dose) of Conditioned Place Preference (CPP). CPP was induced using commonly consumed abuse substances in Colombia: smoked cocaine (AEME-cocaine), cocaine, alcohol, and nicotine. Additionally, the role of the 5-HT1A and CB2 receptors in AEME-cocaine-induced reinstatement was assessed using selective antagonists WAY-100135 and AM630, respectively. NPCE significantly inhibited both the reinstatement and reconsolidation of CPP induced by cocaine and AEME-cocaine. It also accelerated extinction in AEME-cocaine-induced CPP suggesting strong potential to disrupt drug-memory associations and prevent relapse. In contrast, CBD showed no efficacy across these addiction-related measures. Stress-induced reinstatement was blocked by WAY-100135, indicating a central role of 5-HT1A receptors, while CB2 receptor blockade had no significant effect. Notably, NPCE had no measurable impact on alcohol- or nicotine-induced CPP during either reinstatement or reconsolidation, supporting a substance-specific effect limited to stimulant-related models. These findings provide strong behavioral evidence supporting NPCE as a therapeutic candidate for Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD), likely due to the synergistic action of its phytocannabinoid and terpenes constituents. Developed in accordance with Colombia’s medical cannabis regulation, this extract underscores the urgent need to translate preclinical data into clinical research and policy frameworks that enable the responsible integration of cannabinoid-based interventions.