Harlow Alyssa F, Leventhal Adam M, Barrington-Trimis Jessica L
University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA; University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
University of Southern California, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA, USA; University of Southern California, Institute for Addiction Science, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Int J Drug Policy. 2025 May;139:104781. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104781. Epub 2025 Apr 4.
Youth use of hemp-derived cannabis products containing psychoactive Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) is prevalent in the United States (US). Delta-8-THC is intoxicating, however delta-8-THC products are not subject to warning labeling requirements in many US states. This experiment determined effects of hypothetical cannabis warning labels on perception of delta-8-THC gummies and vape products.
A mixed within-between-subject experiment was embedded into a 2023 survey of 3,647 Southern California adolescents. Participants were randomized to view photos of delta-8-THC edible and vape products under one of three conditions (control [unmodified] vs. standard size warning label [universal cannabis warning symbol, government warning text, instructions for use, and text stating it was cannabis-infused] vs. larger warning label [same as standard label with larger cannabis warning symbol]). After image exposure, we measured anticipated intoxication, perceived harm, and susceptibility to use the respective delta-8-THC products. Moderation by product type and cannabis use status were assessed.
Youth who viewed delta-8-THC products with larger warning labels (vs. control) reported greater anticipated intoxication (Mean Difference[MD]==2.50, 95 %CI=0.85-4.14 on 100-point scale), and higher likelihood that delta-8-THC products are bad for their health (Risk Ratio[RR]=1.07, 95 %CI=1.02-1.12), pose at least some risk (RR=1.03, 95 %CI: 1.01-1.05), and are the same or more harmful than marijuana (RR=1.04, 95 %CI=1.01-1.07). There were no warning label effects on susceptibility and minimal differences across outcomes between larger versus standard warning labels. Warning label effects on perceived harm were stronger for delta-8-THC gummies (vs. vape) and for never vs. ever cannabis-using youth (interaction p-values < 0.05).
Requiring delta-8-THC products to conform to labeling requirements for cannabis products may increase understanding of their intoxicating effects and harm among cannabis-naïve youth. In lieu of federal regulations, states should consider implementation of delta-8-THC regulations such as labeling requirements that promote safety and reduce potential harm to youth.
在美国，青少年使用含有精神活性Δ8-四氢大麻酚（delta-8-THC）的大麻衍生产品十分普遍。Delta-8-THC具有致幻作用，然而在美国许多州，delta-8-THC产品无需遵守警示标签要求。本实验确定了假设的大麻警示标签对delta-8-THC软糖和电子烟产品认知的影响。
一项混合的组内-组间实验嵌入到2023年对3647名南加州青少年的调查中。参与者被随机分配在三种条件之一（对照[未修改]、标准尺寸警示标签[通用大麻警示符号、政府警示文本、使用说明以及标明其含有大麻成分的文本]、更大尺寸警示标签[与标准标签相同，但大麻警示符号更大]）下观看delta-8-THC食用产品和电子烟产品的照片。在图像曝光后，我们测量了预期的致幻程度、感知到的危害以及使用相应delta-8-THC产品的易感性。评估了产品类型和大麻使用状况的调节作用。
观看带有更大尺寸警示标签的delta-8-THC产品（与对照相比）的青少年报告的预期致幻程度更高（在100分制上，平均差异[MD]=2.50，95%置信区间[CI]=0.85 - 4.14），且认为delta-8-THC产品对其健康有害的可能性更高（风险比[RR]=1.07，95%CI=1.02 - 1.12），至少存在一定风险（RR=1.03，95%CI：1.01 - 1.05），并且与大麻一样有害或更有害（RR=1.04，95%CI=1.01 - 1.07）。警示标签对易感性没有影响，更大尺寸警示标签和标准警示标签在各结果之间的差异极小。对于delta-8-THC软糖（与电子烟相比）以及从未使用过大麻与曾经使用过大麻的青少年，警示标签对感知危害的影响更强（交互p值<0.0
