The National Institute of Drug Abuse has awarded Department Vice Chair Nicole Ennis, Ph.D. and University of Florida Health Professor Sherrilene Classen, Ph.D. a $3.3 million R01 to support a groundbreaking study investigating the effects of long-term medical marijuana use—alone and in combination with prescription opioids—on driving performance in adults aged 50 and older. This is currently the only study on medical marijuana and aging in the U.S. using an open-road driving performance task. As medical marijuana use in this demographic has more than doubled over the past decade, with projections indicating exponential growth by 2050, understanding its real-world implications is more critical than ever.

This innovative research will focus on individuals who use medical marijuana daily for 12 months or more, examining how this use, alongside common opioid treatments for chronic pain, may influence performance on an open-road driving task. With older adults representing a rapidly growing segment of medical cannabis-using populations, and the importance of driving to maintain independence in this population, this study is poised to provide vital insights into public safety, pain management, and aging.

By addressing a major gap in current research, this project has the potential to inform clinical guidelines, influence policy, and enhance the well-being and autonomy of older adults navigating complex treatment decisions.