Behavioral EconomicsMATEYNCT07398443
Using Novel Behavioral Economic Measures to Characterize Dual Marijuana and Tobacco Use in Young Adults
A study testing Cue Reactivity in people with Behavioral Economics and Cannabis Smoking, run by Brown University at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The multi session experimental study aims to determine dual use patterns of marijuana and tobacco by assessing the impact of price and availability of marijuana and tobacco using a cross price elasticity of demand task. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Behavioral Economics, Cannabis Smoking, Tobacco Smoking
- What is being tested?
- Cue Reactivity
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 17 Feb 2026to 30 Nov 2028
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Males/females who are 18 to 25 years of age
- Young adults who currently smoke commercial tobacco cigarettes (≥1x weekly in the past 30 days and for the past six months)
- Young adults who currently smoke marijuana (≥4 times in past 30 days and at least weekly on average for the last six months)
- Participants must report purchasing their own tobacco and marijuana at least once in the past 6 months
- Participants must speak, comprehend, and read English.
Who cannot join
- Intention to quit marijuana or tobacco use in the next 30 days
- Self-reported illicit drug or heavy episodic alcohol use on >20 days in the past month (excluding marijuana)
- Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Positive saliva test for recent THC use
- Breath alcohol level above 0 at any session.
- Participants who exclusively roll their own tobacco cigarettes
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Brown University School of Public Health
Providence, Rhode Island, 02903
Elizabeth Aston, PhD, 401-863-6668, elizabeth_aston@brown.edu
About this study
The multi session experimental study aims to determine dual use patterns of marijuana and tobacco by assessing the impact of price and availability of marijuana and tobacco using a cross price elasticity of demand task. The study will recruit 120 non-treatment seeking emerging young adults (18-25 years) who smoke marijuana and tobacco.
Read the detailed description
Young adulthood is a crucial time to study substance use disorders which increase cancer risk later in life. It is especially important to understand marijuana and tobacco use as most young adults often use both. Although dual use is related with increased long-term health and behavioral risks, underlying behavioral mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to address this gap by using rigorous laboratory-based behavioral economic measure including a novel cross-price elasticity of demand (CPED) task and an innovative extension of cue-induced demand to assess cross-cue reactivity to better understand co- use. The results will help lead cessation efforts in this population and reduce cancer risk across the lifespan. Participants (N = 120) will be young adults (age 18-25) endorsing current tobacco and marijuana use and will complete 4 experimental in-person sessions. Following a phone-screen to assess preliminary eligibility, participants will come to the study center for in-person baseline screening. This screening consists of a urine toxicology screen, a breathalyzer test, and self-report questionnaires. The remaining three sessions will be completed in person which mainly consist of cross-cue reactivity sessions, self-report measures, and a qualitative exit interview following the final session.
- Conditions
- Behavioral Economics, Cannabis Smoking, Tobacco Smoking
- Being tested
- Cue Reactivity
- Medical subject headings
- Marijuana Smoking, Tobacco Smoking
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Cue ReactivityBehavioural
Participants will be exposed to neutral followed by cannabis or tobacco cues in a fixed sequence while they answer questions about their subjective state. The cues will include everyday items (e.g., eraser) and cannabis-related items (e.g., lighter).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Cue Reactivity | Experimental | Participants will be exposed to neutral followed by cannabis or tobacco cues in a fixed sequence while they answer questions about their subjective state. The cues will include everyday items (e.g., eraser) and cannabis-related items (e.g., lighter). Receives: Behavioral: Cue Reactivity |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in self-reported cannabis craving
This study utilizes a structured cannabis cue exposure paradigm. During cue exposure, participants rate subjective craving on a scale from 0, "Not at all," to 10, "Extremely." Cannabis craving will be assessed following neutral cue exposure and then cannabis cue exposure. The primary outcome will be change in cannabis craving.
Measured: Up to 40 days post-baseline session
Change in self-reported tobacco craving
This study utilizes a structured tobacco cue exposure paradigm. During cue exposure, participants rate subjective craving on a scale from 0, "Not at all," to 10, "Extremely." Tobacco craving will be assessed following neutral cue exposure and then tobacco cue exposure. The primary outcome will be change in tobacco craving.
Measured: Up to 40 days post-baseline session
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Feb 2026
- Study start17 Feb 2026
- Primary completion30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Behavioral EconomicsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Brown UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Brown University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07398443
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 00000691
- Other IDs
- R01CA289409
- Acronym
- MATEY
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Using Novel Behavioral Economic Measures to Characterize Dual Marijuana and Tobacco Use in Young Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07398443
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MATEY / 00000691
- Conditions
- Behavioral Economics, Cannabis Smoking, Tobacco Smoking
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Brown UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- 17 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 9 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The multi session experimental study aims to determine dual use patterns of marijuana and tobacco by assessing the impact of price and availability of marijuana and tobacco using a cross price elasticity of demand task. The study will recruit 120 non-treatment seeking emerging young adults (18-25 years) who smoke marijuana and tobacco.
Detailed description
Young adulthood is a crucial time to study substance use disorders which increase cancer risk later in life. It is especially important to understand marijuana and tobacco use as most young adults often use both. Although dual use is related with increased long-term health and behavioral risks, underlying behavioral mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to address this gap by using rigorous laboratory-based behavioral economic measure including a novel cross-price elasticity of demand (CPED) task and an innovative extension of cue-induced demand to assess cross-cue reactivity to better understand co- use. The results will help lead cessation efforts in this population and reduce cancer risk across the lifespan. Participants (N = 120) will be young adults (age 18-25) endorsing current tobacco and marijuana use and will complete 4 experimental in-person sessions. Following a phone-screen to assess preliminary eligibility, participants will come to the study center for in-person baseline screening. This screening consists of a urine toxicology screen, a breathalyzer test, and self-report questionnaires. The remaining three sessions will be completed in person which mainly consist of cross-cue reactivity sessions, self-report measures, and a qualitative exit interview following the final session.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Cue Reactivity | Experimental | Behavioral: Cue ReactivityParticipants will be exposed to neutral followed by cannabis or tobacco cues in a fixed sequence while they answer questions about their subjective state. The cues will include everyday items (e.g., eraser) and cannabis-related items (e.g., lighter). |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Males/females who are 18 to 25 years of age
- Young adults who currently smoke commercial tobacco cigarettes (≥1x weekly in the past 30 days and for the past six months)
- Young adults who currently smoke marijuana (≥4 times in past 30 days and at least weekly on average for the last six months)
- Participants must report purchasing their own tobacco and marijuana at least once in the past 6 months
- Participants must speak, comprehend, and read English.
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Intention to quit marijuana or tobacco use in the next 30 days
- Self-reported illicit drug or heavy episodic alcohol use on >20 days in the past month (excluding marijuana)
- Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Positive saliva test for recent THC use
- Breath alcohol level above 0 at any session.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Cue ReactivityParticipants will be exposed to neutral followed by cannabis or tobacco cues in a fixed sequence while they answer questions about their subjective state. The cues will include everyday items (e.g., eraser) and cannabis-related items (e.g., lighter). | Behavioural | Cue Reactivity |
Primary outcome
Change in self-reported cannabis craving
Time frame: Up to 40 days post-baseline session
This study utilizes a structured cannabis cue exposure paradigm. During cue exposure, participants rate subjective craving on a scale from 0, "Not at all," to 10, "Extremely." Cannabis craving will be assessed following neutral cue exposure and then cannabis cue exposure. The primary outcome will be change in cannabis craving.
Change in self-reported tobacco craving
Time frame: Up to 40 days post-baseline session
This study utilizes a structured tobacco cue exposure paradigm. During cue exposure, participants rate subjective craving on a scale from 0, "Not at all," to 10, "Extremely." Tobacco craving will be assessed following neutral cue exposure and then tobacco cue exposure. The primary outcome will be change in tobacco craving.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 4 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Cue Reactivity in people with Behavioral Economics and Cannabis Smoking, run by Brown University at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 4 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Elizabeth Aston, PhD (401-863-6668, elizabeth_aston@brown.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in self-reported cannabis craving (time frame: Up to 40 days post-baseline session). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 4 Mar 2026.