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Delta-8-THC consumption linked to cannabis laws
A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reveals a higher public use of unregulated products containing delta-8-THC in states where cannabis is criminalized. This study, conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan, the University of Buffalo, and the Legacy Research Institute in Portland, Oregon, analyzed responses from over 1,100 participants.
Survey findings: Delta-8-THC use and state laws
Approximately 12 percent of respondents reported using delta-8-THC products in the past year. Notably, those residing in states without medical or adult-use cannabis access were more likely to consume delta-8-THC. The study found that living in a state with medical cannabis laws reduced the odds of using delta-8 products by 56 percent, while residing in states with legal cannabis reduced the odds by 55 percent.
Implications of cannabis prohibition on Delta-8-THC use
NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano commented on the study, highlighting that the limited popularity of these unregulated products is a direct consequence of criminal marijuana prohibition. In environments where whole-plant cannabis is legally regulated and available, the demand for unregulated products like delta-8-THC is significantly lower.
Delta-8-THC: Production and safety concerns
Delta-8 THC is naturally present in the cannabis plant but in nominal quantities. The higher levels found in commercially available products result from a chemical synthesis process, where manufacturers convert hemp-derived CBD into delta-8 THC. This process is unregulated, and manufacturers often use potentially dangerous household products, raising safety concerns. Lab analyses of these products have consistently found discrepancies in delta-8 THC levels and the presence of heavy metal contaminants and unlabeled cutting agents.
Broader trends: Public interest in unregulated cannabinoids
The JAMA study's findings align with other research indicating heightened interest in unregulated delta-8-THC products in jurisdictions where marijuana is criminalized. Conversely, there has been a decline in the popularity of synthetic cannabinoid products, like those containing Spice or K2, following marijuana legalization.
