flowergurl
There's treachery afoot
Found this and thought some midwest smokers might want to earn a little cash.
University of Iowa scientists are offering money to marijuana users willing to help them gain insight into the effects of the drug.
The study is to examine how marijuana affects brain function and cognition, with particular attention to the duration of use and the age of first use.
"The hypothesis is that people that use it at an early age have a greater effect, and the longer a person uses it, the greater the effect," said Robert Block, an associate professor in the U of I Department of Anesthesia and the lead investigator on the project.
Marijuana's effect will be measured through brain imaging studies and achievement tests, such as for math and verbal skills.
This is the third year of a four-year study, which is paid for, at the cost of about $2 million, by the National Institutes of Health, Block said.
Participants would be expected to devote about 60 hours to the study, including a lengthy screening and two overnight hospital stays, Block said.
Participants receive $20 for an initial screening session, and those who participate fully will pocket $600. Out-of-town participants are reimbursed for mileage and travel expenses.
Block said the study needs men and women who are right-handed - only right-handed because of differences in lateralization between the left and right hemispheres of the brain - and between the ages of 18 and 44.
"The basic idea is they are people who've been using it pretty regularly for some time," Block said.
Besides marijuana users, the study will include those who consume alcohol and tobacco, but not marijuana, to serve as control subjects. Block is still seeking male controls.
The target for the study is 100 people.
Names of people in the study are protected from disclosure by a federal certificate that guarantees confidentiality.
Even if the police issue a subpoena, it could be refused, Block said. As a researcher, we would normally promise the subject confidentiality, and we do, but without this certificate, we dont have the right to refuse a subpoena.
Depending on how the results come back, Block said the study might be used to support political positions on marijuana, such as people who favor harsher criminal penalties, those who believe it should be decriminalized or those who would like to see it used for medical purposes.
Because it is a politically sensitive topic, if results show bad effects, it might be used by people who oppose drug use. If they are negative, it might be cited by people who support marijuana use, Block said, noting he does not have a personal agenda for this research.
To participate call: (319) 384-2881 or (319) 384-2884
University of Iowa scientists are offering money to marijuana users willing to help them gain insight into the effects of the drug.
The study is to examine how marijuana affects brain function and cognition, with particular attention to the duration of use and the age of first use.
"The hypothesis is that people that use it at an early age have a greater effect, and the longer a person uses it, the greater the effect," said Robert Block, an associate professor in the U of I Department of Anesthesia and the lead investigator on the project.
Marijuana's effect will be measured through brain imaging studies and achievement tests, such as for math and verbal skills.
This is the third year of a four-year study, which is paid for, at the cost of about $2 million, by the National Institutes of Health, Block said.
Participants would be expected to devote about 60 hours to the study, including a lengthy screening and two overnight hospital stays, Block said.
Participants receive $20 for an initial screening session, and those who participate fully will pocket $600. Out-of-town participants are reimbursed for mileage and travel expenses.
Block said the study needs men and women who are right-handed - only right-handed because of differences in lateralization between the left and right hemispheres of the brain - and between the ages of 18 and 44.
"The basic idea is they are people who've been using it pretty regularly for some time," Block said.
Besides marijuana users, the study will include those who consume alcohol and tobacco, but not marijuana, to serve as control subjects. Block is still seeking male controls.
The target for the study is 100 people.
Names of people in the study are protected from disclosure by a federal certificate that guarantees confidentiality.
Even if the police issue a subpoena, it could be refused, Block said. As a researcher, we would normally promise the subject confidentiality, and we do, but without this certificate, we dont have the right to refuse a subpoena.
Depending on how the results come back, Block said the study might be used to support political positions on marijuana, such as people who favor harsher criminal penalties, those who believe it should be decriminalized or those who would like to see it used for medical purposes.
Because it is a politically sensitive topic, if results show bad effects, it might be used by people who oppose drug use. If they are negative, it might be cited by people who support marijuana use, Block said, noting he does not have a personal agenda for this research.
To participate call: (319) 384-2881 or (319) 384-2884
