Another well spotted by Lex Pelger and his fine newsletter that is one of my few proper reads each week
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.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10826084.2025.2454651
