From Gas Stations to Teenagers: Shock Study Reveals Over 11% of U.S. 12th Graders Taking It
New findings from a comprehensive study have shed light on the widespread use of delta-8-THC among adolescents and young adults across the United States, raising concerns about potential public health implications.
Delta-8-THC, an intoxicating compound derived from hemp, is increasingly gaining popularity among the youth demographic. This substance, available in forms such as gummies and vaping products, closely resembles marijuana in appearance and induces similar mood-altering effects.
Notably, delta-8 is commonly synthesized from cannabidiol sourced from hemp rather than marijuana. Unlike marijuana-derived products, there is currently no federally mandated minimum age requirement for purchasing delta-8 products, exacerbating the accessibility of these substances to young individuals.
Researchers at the University of Michigan, the Keck School of Medicine at USC, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse have now examined survey data from over 2,000 randomly chosen 12th graders across the United States about their usage of delta-8-THC in 2023.
Students who participated in the Monitoring the Future survey, the country’s primary resource for monitoring youth use of drugs, provided the data. 11.4% of 12th graders, according to the study, used delta-8-THC in the previous year.
States in the South and the Midwest, as well as those without delta-8-THC laws or that had not authorized adult use of marijuana for “recreation,” had significantly higher rates of marijuana usage.
The findings were just published in JAMA.
“Considering that delta-8-THC has only been on the market since 2018, the fact that we’re seeing more than 11% of youth using it is concerning,” remarked lead author Alyssa F. Harlow. “It’s evidence that we should be paying attention to these products, particularly in the areas where we saw even higher prevalence.”
Because delta-8-THC is so new, the public health implications are unclear. Scientists are worried that delta-8-THC, which has molecular similarities with delta-9-THC, the principal psychoactive component of marijuana, may offer comparable risks to health, such as impacts on brain development, addiction, behavioral disorders, and accidental overdose.
Delta-8-THC is unregulated in many jurisdictions, which means there are minimal protections in place to avoid impurities and dangerous chemicals, as well as no necessity for warning labels or ingredient lists. Because of the absence of constraints, delta-8-THC may be packaged and promoted in ways that are especially appealing to young people.
“Time and time again, we see the same pattern,” added senior author Adam Matthew Leventhal.
“When a new addictive drug hits the market and is commercialized, youth are the first to be affected if public health protections are not in place. We saw this with nicotine e-cigarettes and should not let history repeat itself with delta-8-THC or the other hemp products.”
According to the findings of the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey, a total of 2,186 12th-grade students from the United States participated in answering questions regarding their consumption of delta-8-THC. This survey, recognized as the gold standard for tracking youth substance use, encompasses students from diverse regions across the country, ensuring representation of gender, race, and parental education levels.
Among the respondents, 11.4% of 12th graders admitted to using delta-8-THC within the past year, while 30.4% reported marijuana use during the same period. Notably, within the subset of delta-8-THC users, a significant portion, accounting for 35.4%, reported consuming it 10 times or more within the year.
Regional disparities in delta-8-THC usage were also observed. In Western states, 5% of youth reported using delta-8-THC, whereas higher rates were recorded in Northeastern states at 10.1%, Southern states at 14.3%, and Midwestern states at 14.6%. Moreover, differences were noted based on regulatory frameworks. In states where delta-8-THC was regulated, 5.7% of youth were users, compared to a substantially higher 14.4% in states lacking such regulations. Additionally, states with legal adult marijuana use witnessed 8% delta-8-THC usage among youth, contrasting with the 14% recorded in states where adult marijuana use was prohibited.
Early indications from the research suggest that regulating delta-8-THC could potentially reduce its usage among young individuals, as stated by Harlow. While some states have opted for complete prohibition, there’s also the option of implementing restrictions on delta-8-THC products. Possible regulatory measures may encompass mandates regarding packaging and labeling, setting a minimum age for purchase, limiting sales locations, or mandating product testing for contaminants.
Although the current study offers initial insights into delta-8-THC usage, further investigation is warranted. The upcoming 2024 Monitoring the Future survey will incorporate additional inquiries concerning these novel products, including the preferred forms among youth (such as gummies, vape cartridges, or dried flower) and their purchasing sources. Longitudinal data collection over time will facilitate the assessment of the effectiveness of various policy changes in risk mitigation.
Furthermore, Harlow’s research explores whether regulations concerning delta-8-THC packaging, such as the inclusion of cannabis warning labels, can influence youth perceptions regarding the products’ associated risks.
Source: 10.1001/jama2024.0865
Image Credit: Christian Ender/Getty Images