A study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that young adults are more likely to self-report consuming unregulated, hemp-derived, intoxicating products in states where cannabis is still illegal.
Delta 8 is a cannabinoid that can produce psychoactive influences. Some users claim it reduces symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and pain. Recent research studies have highlighted the compound’s potential therapeutic properties, but other studies have focused on the health risks of Delta 8 use and inconsistent testing and regulatory practices across states. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not evaluated Delta-8’s safety and effectiveness, but it claims that adverse event reports have increased over the past few years. Advocacy groups such as the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Law (NORML) cite the need for FDA regulatory guidelines for the manufacturing, lab testing, labeling, and marketing of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to prevent access to unregulated and untested products.
The study assessed past year use of hemp-derived delta-8 THC products among those ages 19 to 30. The team analyzed data collected from the Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey. The participants self-reported the number of occasions they used delta-8-THC, cannabis products, vaping, and CBD (cannabidiol) in the past 12 months. The study adjusted for race/ethnicity, sex, and 2023 state of residence (used to code Census regions as Northeast, Midwest, South, and West). They also noted state-level delta-8-THC regulations (any restrictions vs. no legislation) and state-level adult-use (recreational) cannabis policy (legal vs. not legal) as of January 1, 2023.
The study indicates that there is less demand for unregulated Delta-8 THC products in regulatory environments where legally regulated cannabis products are available. Delta-8 THC consumption is far more prevalent in jurisdictions without regulated recreational cannabis markets. The study also showed that delta-8 THC use was significantly less prevalent in the West than in the South and Midwest.
Sources: American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, NORML