BACKGROUND: Cannabis is the most consumed illegal substance in France. General practitioners (GPs) are the health professionals who are most consulted by adolescents. Brief intervention (BI) is a promising care initiative for the consumption of cannabis, and could be a tool for GPs in caring for adolescents who consume cannabis. The aim of the CANABIC study is to measure the impact of a BI carried out by a GP on the consumption of cannabis by adolescents of 15 to 25 years of age. METHODS: A randomized clustered controlled trial, stratified over three areas (Auvergne, Languedoc-Roussillon, and Rhone-Alps), comparing an intervention group, which carries out the BI in consultation, and a control group, which ensures routine medical care. The main assessment criterion is the consumption of cannabis by amount of joints per month, at 12 months. The amount necessary to highlight a significant difference between the two groups of 30 % of consumption at 12 months is 250 patients (50 GPs, 5 patients per GP; risk alpha = 5 %; power = 90 %; intra-cluster correlation coefficient rho = 0.2; Hawthorne effect = 15 %; lost to follow-up rates for GPs = 10 % and for patients = 20 %). This plan is replicated for the three areas, and therefore a total of 750 patients are expected.The secondary criteria for judgment are the associated consumption of tobacco and alcohol, the perception of the consequences of consumption, and the driving of a vehicle following consumption. DISCUSSION: Research about BI for young cannabis users is underway. The aim of the CANABIC study is to validate a BI suited to adolescents who consume cannabis, which may be performed in the general practice. This would provide a tool for their treatment by a GP, which could be widely distributed during initial or further medical training.Trial registration: CANABIC is a randomized clustered trial (NCT01433692, registered 2011 Sept 12), PHRC funded: Clinical Research Hospital Program (Governmental Fund, Health Ministry). Date first patient randomized: March 2012.