# Functional Outcomes of Cannabis Use (FOCUS) in Veterans with  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

> **NIH VA I01** · DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2020 · —

## Abstract

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a disabling psychiatric disorder that affects 20%-30% of U.S.
Veterans. PTSD is strongly associated with increased risk for substance abuse comorbidity, including cannabis
use disorder; however, multiple states now include PTSD as a condition for which patients can be legally
prescribed medical marijuana, despite the fact that there has not been a single large-scale randomized clinical
trial demonstrating the efficacy of cannabis to treat PTSD to date. The overall objective of the current proposal
is to prospectively study the impact of reduced cannabis use on psychosocial functioning among Veterans with
PTSD. To do so, we will first use ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methods to evaluate the
relationship between cannabis use and daily functioning among Veterans with PTSD. Next, we will use mobile
contingency management (CM) and EMA to assess the impact of reduced cannabis use on daily functioning
among Veterans with PTSD who are heavy cannabis users. Our central hypothesis is that reductions in
cannabis use will lead to positive changes in the functional outcomes of Veterans. The rationale for this
research is that it will provide the first and only real-time data concerning the impact of reduced cannabis use
on daily functioning among Veterans with PTSD. As a result, this innovative and timely project has the potential
to significantly advance VHA healthcare and will directly inform the ongoing national debate concerning the
impact of cannabis use on the long-term functional recovery of Veterans with PTSD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10069452
- **Project number:** 1I01RX003276-01A2
- **Recipient organization:** DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** JEAN C. BECKHAM
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2025-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10069452

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10069452, Functional Outcomes of Cannabis Use (FOCUS) in Veterans with  Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (1I01RX003276-01A2). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10069452. Licensed CC0.

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