Effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol on the morphine-induced hyperactivity of mice.

The effect of delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on the locomotor activity-stimulating action of morphine has been investigated in mice. THC (10 mg/kg) has been found to potentiate morphine-induced hyperactivity. On the other hand, the stimulating action of morphine on motor activity strongly diminished in mice rendered tolerant by the implantation of a morphine pellet. The pretreatment of morphine-tolerant mice with the same dose of THC did not change the effect of morphine on the motor activity. These results suggest that tolerance also developed to the potentiating action of THC on morphine-induced hyperactivity during the development of tolerance to this action of morphine.