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

IF 1.7 4区医学 Q3 PSYCHIATRY Substance Use & Misuse Pub Date : 2025-01-01 Epub 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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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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YouTube上Delta-8四氢大麻酚（THC）的写照。

背景：跟随美国（U.S.）根据2018年联邦农业改善法案，许多零售商开始将包括德尔塔-8四氢大麻酚（THC）在内的令人陶醉的大麻产品作为“大麻”销售，声称这为这样做提供了法律漏洞。这项定性研究评估了Delta-8 THC在YouTube上的消息传递，YouTube是世界上访问量第二大的网站。方法：2022年，两位研究者在YouTube上搜索“Delta-8”和“Delta-8”；确定了47个独特的视频。采用归纳编码和演绎编码相结合的方法。更大的团队每隔10个视频讨论一次编码并达成共识。结果：确定了与Delta-8 THC相关的四个总体主题：使用的原因，如何使用，使用的效果以及安全/危害降低。内容创作者使用Delta-8四氢大麻酚是因为其所谓的联邦合法性，易于获取，以及他们所说的比“传统”大麻更温和、更令人愉悦的精神活性效果。一些人提到，Delta-8 THC产品的质量可能会因购买地点而异，网上通常比加油站更受青睐。几乎没有视频有年龄限制。结论：本研究概述了公众对Delta-8 THC的态度和看法，如YouTube上讨论的那样。调查结果表明，纠正错误信息的媒体宣传和其他预防措施很重要。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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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.