Knowledge of blood levels has been derived from inexperienced users and heavy users. But this leaves a gap in knowledge: What about the categories in between the two extremes? Those who smokes once or twice a few times a weeks? A few times a day for a few times a week? Quite a lot over the weekend? How does this play out relative to residual THC in relation to the legal limits?
We are living in 2024. I identify as a scientist now! I will proceed to tell you about the outline of an experiment I have dubbed "Smoke Out Trials":
Goal: figure out the THC-equivalent of a proper night out with alcohol: 8 hours impairment.
The volunteers (1) will be allowed an initial dosage of 0,1 g (2) cannabis flower in a one hitter device.
To maintain high for 8 hours, a follow up dosage of 0,1 mg (5) will be allowed every 1-2 hours (3).
Subjectively assessed impairment will be measured every 30 minutes or so.
Driving skills in a driving simulator must occur both in early and late stages of the experiment.
Blood will be taken to pair the other data points with blood levels.
Hangovers should be assessed next morning by subjective assessment, driving simulator and blood levels.
This study should be matched and compared with a equivalent study with alcohol. Take note of the potential situation where the equivalent of 1 ‰ BAC is administered 4 + times in the cannabis group: Perhaps go a bit easy on the alcohol group for health and safety reasons.
Uncertainty and possible corrections:
1.The subjects will be sorted in 3 groups. Inexperienced. Frequent smokers. Chronic smokers.
2. 0,1 g might be too little for frequent and chronic smokers. Adjust accordingly.
3. Inexperienced smokers might not feel ready for more after 2 hours. Precaution is necessary. Adjust according to each individual situation. Some chronic smokers might need less than 1 hour to maintain high.
4. The initial dosage should be equivalent to arriving at 1 ‰ BAC in a very short time. Take note of the re-administration of the equivalent of 1 ‰ BAC several times during an 8 hour experiment. For purposes of the experiment; 1 ‰ BAC is assumed to be a reasonable peak intoxication from drinking alcohol with some balance between taking risks and showing some good sense.
5. Follow up dosage might be adjusted to 0,5 ‰ BAC for inexperienced or sensitive users.
Expectations:
30 minutes after the first 1-2 doses will have the highest rating of subjective impairment. Impairment will be lower in the later stages of the trials due to THCCOOH acting as an antagonist to THC. IF this is not the case, follow up dosages should be lowered. The goal is to figure out how much THC administered is equivalent to a night out with alcohol.
Blood levels 2 hours after smoking will be quite high in the late stages of the trials.
The ratio between blood levels and impairment expressed as a number will be quite different in the late stages of the experiment.
Differences between experienced and inexperienced users will be notable.
Novel knowledge to be derived:
The epistemological gap in expected blood values of THC.
Blood levels of THC and THCCOOH paired with measurements of impairment can give some more clues about the role of THCCOOH.
More accurate assessment of the similarities and differences in the impairment of cannabis & alcohol.