“It sounds like fake weed to me”: Perceptions of Delta-8 Among Undergraduate Students in Pennsylvania

• In Event: Drug Markets in an Evolving Legal and Social Context

Abstract

The 2018 US Farm Bill allowed for less potent synthetic forms of THC, like delta-8, to be sold in states where recreational cannabis use is not legal. Due to the absence of a regulatory framework for the manufacturing and distribution of these products in this bill, these products are not FDA-regulated, and many people report negative experiences from using these products. We explore the prevalence and perceptions of the use of delta-8 THC products among a large convenience sample (N = 972) of undergraduate students in Pennsylvania. We ask students whether or not they use marijuana, how frequently they use it, how they obtain it, and why they choose to obtain it that way. We find that very few (approximately 8%) respondents report purchasing delta-8 products, and even fewer (approximately 6%) indicate that it is their primary method of obtaining marijuana. Many respondents indicate not trusting delta-8 products and being concerned about potential adverse health consequences. Respondents’ concerns regarding these products are corroborated by the FDA, who strongly advises against using these products. These findings provide insight into the prevalence and perceptions of delta-8 products among undergraduate students with implications for future research on emerging markets for synthetic THC products.

Authors

• Anna Newell, The Pennsylvania State University

• Jordan Pierce, University of Maryland, College Park