Cannabinoids for Osteoarthritis Pain Effectiveness Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Montreal and Toronto, CanadaSee the 3 sites
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 40 and 80 years old?
Source: NCT06878417, who can take part
Where in Canada
- McGill University Health Centre - Montreal General HospitalMontreal, CanadaContact: Tanya CapolicchioTaking people
- University Health NetworkToronto, CanadaContact: Mary NasimTaking people
- Women's College HospitalToronto, CanadaContact: Didem BozakTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- University Health Network, Toronto
- Trial code
- NCT06878417
- Record updated
- 16 July 2026
- Original description
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.Read full original descriptionShow less
The Effectiveness of Oral Cannabis Extracts for Osteoarthritic Pain: an Internal Pilot, Placebo Controlled, Blinded Randomized Trial
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
Inclusion: 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.
Exclusion: Hip or knee surgery planned in the coming 4 months,; Used cannabis (medical or recreational) in the last 30 days (to allow sufficient washout),; Currently on warfarin,; 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,; Known or suspected allergy to palm/coconut oil; 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,; 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,.