Types and Brands of Derived Psychoactive Cannabis Products: An Online Retail Assessment, 2023

Matthew E. Rossheim, Department of Health Administration and Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Kayla K. Tillett, Department of Health Administration and Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Viktor Vasilev, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Cassidy R. LoParco, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Carla J. Berg, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.
Pamela J. Trangenstein, Alcohol Research Group, Public Health Institute, Emeryville, California, USA.
R Andrew Yockey, Department of Population and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Steven Y. Sussman, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Michael Siegel, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
David H. Jernigan, Department of Health, Law, Policy & Management, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-19-2024

Journal

Cannabis and cannabinoid research

DOI

10.1089/can.2023.0266

Keywords

2018 Agriculture Improvement Act; cannabinoid; marijuana; marketing

Abstract

The 2018 Farm Bill led to new types of derived psychoactive cannabis products (DPCPs) being sold throughout the United States. This study describes the new types and brands of DPCPs sold online. In May 2023, data were recorded from three top-trafficked U.S.-based DPCP retail websites, including information about each product (=804). DPCP modalities included disposable vapes (43%), edibles (29%), vape carts (18%), pre-rolls (7%), flower (2%), dabs (1%), and vape pods (<1%). Among the 118 brands, the most common were Exhale, Delta Extrax, Cake, URB, Looper, and TRE House. There were 26 different intoxicating compounds overall, the most prevalent being: Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), THC-P, Delta-9 THC, HHC, THC-A, Delta-10 THC, THC-H, THC-B, THC-JD, THC-X, HHC-P, and Delta-11 THC. Overall, 54% of products were blends, containing two to eight different intoxicating compounds in a single product. This is the first study to systematically assess DPCPs sold online. Most of the DPCP market is comprised of vapes and edibles, but these products contain a wide array of compounds and blends. Data from this diverse, rapidly evolving market are needed to examine its consumer impact and inform public health policies and programs.

Department

Prevention and Community Health

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