NCT07216911 Evaluating the Impact of Psychotherapeutic Advertising Claims on Cannabis Purchasing
| NCT ID | NCT07216911 |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Phase | — |
| Sponsor | Trustees of Dartmouth College |
| Condition | Anxiety |
| Study Type | INTERVENTIONAL |
| Enrollment | 2,000 participants |
| Start Date | 2026-04-15 |
| Primary Completion | 2026-06-30 |
Eligibility & Interventions
Eligibility Fast-Check
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What to Expect as a Participant
You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.
This trial targets 2,000 participants in total. It began in 2026-04-15 with a primary completion date of 2026-06-30.
⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.
Brief Summary
In the U.S., legal cannabis is frequently advertised as an effective treatment for mental health problems such as anxiety and depression-particularly online. States that have legalized cannabis have not implemented regulations to address this type of advertising. This project aims to investigate the influence of psychotherapeutic advertising claims (PAC) and mental health warning labels (WL) on online cannabis purchasing behaviors among light-to-moderate cannabis users with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety. The specific aims are to determine whether PAC increases cannabis purchasing intentions and whether a mental health WL can mitigate this effect. A realistic online cannabis shopping experience will be simulated using the digital Platform for Online Evaluation of Marijuana Marketing and Sales (POEMMS). The study will employ a between-subjects experimental design by randomizing 2,000 participants to one of four online stores that vary in PAC and WL content: (1) a control claims (CC)-only store, (2) a PAC store, (3) a WL store, and (4) a PAC + WL store. Participants will browse and select items as if making real purchases. Analyses will examine three primary outcomes to determine the influence of PAC and WL on purchasing behaviors: (1) total milligrams of THC purchased, (2) average potency (%THC) of products, and (3) overall number of products purchased. The long-term objective is to inform evidence-based cannabis policy and regulatory strategies by understanding the impact of cannabis marketing on vulnerable populations. This research is relevant to public health by addressing the potential risks associated with misleading cannabis marketing, which may lead to increased use and exacerbation of mental health symptoms among individuals with depression and anxiety. The project leverages a multidisciplinary team with expertise in addiction, mental health, epidemiology, and digital health technology. The findings have the potential to inform the development of targeted interventions and policies to reduce harms associated with cannabis advertising-ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and more effective regulation.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 21 years or older * Current residence in the United States * Cannabis use on 1-100 days in the past year * Current symptoms of mild to severe depression and/or generalized anxiety disorder, assessed by PHQ-8 (score ≥ 5) and GAD-7 (score ≥ 5) Exclusion Criteria: * Under 21 years of age * Not currently residing in the United States
Contact & Investigator
Jennifer Emond, PHD
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dartmouth College
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the NCT07216911 clinical trial?
This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 21 Years or older, studying Anxiety. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.
Is NCT07216911 currently recruiting?
Yes, NCT07216911 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Jacob.T.Borodovsky@dartmouth.edu for enrollment information.
Where is the NCT07216911 trial being conducted?
This trial is being conducted at Lebanon, United States.
Who is sponsoring the NCT07216911 clinical trial?
NCT07216911 is sponsored by Trustees of Dartmouth College. The principal investigator is Jennifer Emond, PHD at Dartmouth College. The trial plans to enroll 2,000 participants.
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