Portrayal of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on YouTube.

IF 1.8 4区医学 Q3 PSYCHIATRY Substance Use & Misuse Pub Date : 2025-02-03 DOI:10.1080/10826084.2025.2454651

Sofia E Olsson, Vishaldeep K Sekhon, Cassidy R LoParco, R Andrew Yockey, Kaylin M Greene, Doug Henry, Matthew E Rossheim

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Following the United States (U.S.) Federal Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, many retailers began selling intoxicating cannabis products, including Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as "hemp," claiming that it provided a legal loophole to do so. This qualitative study assessed Delta-8 THC messaging on YouTube, the world's second-most visited website.

Methods: In 2022, two researchers searched the terms "Delta 8" and "Delta-8" on YouTube; 47 unique videos were identified. A combination of inductive and deductive coding was used. The larger team discussed the coding after every ten videos and reached a consensus.

Results: Four overarching themes were identified related to Delta-8 THC: reasons to use, how to use, effects of using, and safety/harm reduction. Content creators used Delta-8 THC for its alleged federal legality, easy accessibility, and the psychoactive effects which they described as a more mild, euphoric high than 'traditional' cannabis. Some mentioned that the quality of the Delta-8 THC products may vary based on the purchase location, with online typically being favored over gas stations. Few videos were age-restricted.

Conclusions: This study provides an overview of public attitudes and beliefs regarding Delta-8 THC, as discussed on YouTube. Findings suggest media campaigns to correct misinformation and other prevention efforts are important.

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来源期刊

Substance Use & Misuse 医学-精神病学

CiteScore

3.20

自引率

5.00%

发文量

200

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： For over 50 years, Substance Use & Misuse (formerly The International Journal of the Addictions) has provided a unique international multidisciplinary venue for the exchange of original research, theories, policy analyses, and unresolved issues concerning substance use and misuse (licit and illicit drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and eating disorders). Guest editors for special issues devoted to single topics of current concern are invited. Topics covered include: Clinical trials and clinical research (treatment and prevention of substance misuse and related infectious diseases) Epidemiology of substance misuse and related infectious diseases Social pharmacology Meta-analyses and systematic reviews Translation of scientific findings to real world clinical and other settings Adolescent and student-focused research State of the art quantitative and qualitative research Policy analyses Negative results and intervention failures that are instructive Validity studies of instruments, scales, and tests that are generalizable Critiques and essays on unresolved issues Authors can choose to publish gold open access in this journal.