CASE Baseline

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INFORMED CONSENT INFORMATION
FOR RESEARCH PARTICIPATION
Study Title: Expectations of Intentional Cannabis Use

Principal Investigator: Mitch Earleywine, Ph.D.

IRB Study Number:

I am a faculty member at the University at Albany, in the Department of Psychology. This form has important information about the reason for doing this study, what we will ask you to do if you decide to participate, and the way we would like to use information about you if you choose to be in the study.

Thank you for considering participating in our survey. Your feedback is important.

THIS SURVEY TAKES 5 - 15 MINUTES depending on how much you write.

This consent form asks that you confirm that:

1) You would have created this experience for yourself anyway even if you weren't participating in the research;

2) that you know that you can quit at any time;

3) you'll be careful with plant medicines;

4)You'll confirm that you're over the age of 21;

5) that you speak English;

6) that you understand that you'll answer surveys and open-ended questions that include an assessment of use of psychoactive substances that might be illegal where you live;

7) that some questions about stress can upset some people, yourself included;

8) that you understand that you can leave questions blank;

9) that you may contact the University at Albany Office for Pre-Award and Compliance Services at 1-866-857-5459 or hsconcerns@albany.edu if you have concerns about the study.

Details include:

Faculty Advisor : Dr. Mitch Earleywine Department of Psychology
University at Albany
Mearleywine@albany.edu

Why are you doing this study?
You are being asked to participate in a research study about experiences with cannabis. The purpose of the study is to see if cannabis creates the effects that people anticipate, especially if they use it in a “self-exploration.”

What will I do if I choose to be in this study?
You will be asked to complete surveys on multiple occasions if you happen to be planning to use cannabis in a way that parallels “psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy” or “self-exploration.” That is, if you happen to have planned to use cannabis some time soon in a setting where you can listen to instrumental music, wear an eye mask or focus inward on your experience, and try to get some insight out of the experience, this study is for you.

Study time: Study participation will take approximately 5-15 minutes for each of 5 surveys and certainly no more than 75 minutes total. The more you feel like writing, the longer it might take.

Study location: All study procedures will take place on-line.

What are the possible risks or discomforts?

You may be uncomfortable with some of the questions and topics we will ask about, like how much stress you are experiencing or how much cannabis you usually use. If you are uncomfortable, you are free to not answer or to skip to the next question. As with all research, there is a chance that confidentiality of the information we collect from you could be breached – we will take steps to minimize this risk, as discussed in more detail below in this form.

Financial Information
Participation in this study will involve no cost to you. You will not be paid for participating in this study.

What are my rights as a research participant?

Participation in this study is COMPLETELY voluntary. You do not have to answer any question you do not want to answer. If at any time and for any reason, you would prefer not to participate in this study, please feel free not to. If at any time you would like to stop participating, please tell me. We can take a break, stop and continue at a later date, or stop altogether. You may withdraw from this study at any time, and you will not be penalized in any way for deciding to stop participation.

If you decide to withdraw from this study, the researchers will remove and delete all data they have gathered from you.

What if I am a University at Albany student or employee?
You may choose not to participate or to stop participating in this research at any time. This will not affect your class standing, grades, employment, or any other aspects of your relationship with the University at Albany.

Whom can I contact if I have questions or concerns about this research study?

If you have questions, you are free to ask them now. If you have questions later, you may contact the researchers at mearleywine@albany.edu

Here are some resources you might find useful.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255 or online chat) (24/7)
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline (1-877-726-4727) (M-F, 8-8pm)
National Drug Helpline (888-633-3239)

If you have any questions about your rights as a participant in this research, you can contact the following office at the University at Albany:

Institutional Review Board
University at Albany
Office of Regulatory and Research Compliance
1400 Washington Ave, MSC 100E
Albany, NY 12222