Study finds growing use of hemp-derived alternative cannabis products containing CBD, Delta-8-THC, CBG, CBN

Cannabis use for medicinal or recreational purposes is now permitted is most states in the U.S. Many of the products sold in dispensaries contain delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (better known as "THC"), and are thus classified as Schedule I drugs, making them illegal under federal law.

However, there is a parallel market for products derived from hemp—defined as cannabis containing less that 0.3% THC—spurred in part by the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which removed hemp-derived cannabinoids from the federal Controlled Substances Act.

A new University of Michigan study, titled "Past-year use prevalence of cannabinoids CBD, CBG, CBN, and delta-8-THC in the United States," and published in JAMA Network Open examines past-year use of some of these hemp-derived cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), Delta 8-THC, cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabinol (CBN).

"While the de-scheduling of hemp products initially opened up the market for CBD products, it also applies to the 100-plus cannabinoids also found in the plant. That means, as with CBD, all of them can follow that same path and be sold in gas stations, as ingredients in cosmetics, as well as in dispensaries—there will likely be substantial proliferation of some of these compounds," said Kevin Boehnke, Ph.D. of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center and the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan Medical School.

Using a census-representative sample of adults from the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) AmeriSpeak panel, Boehnke and his colleagues examined knowledge of and past-year use of the most popular hemp derived cannabinoids.

Overall, 72% participants heard of CBD, while fewer had heard of delta-8-THC (41%), CBG (18%), or CBN (17%). Similarly, 21% reported using CBD in the past year, compared with 12% for delta-8-THC, 5% for CBG, and 4% for CBN. Furthermore, people living in states without legal medical or recreational cannabis laws had higher rates of using delta-8-THC.

"Delta-8-THC purportedly has quite similar effects to delta-9-THC (better known as THC). In other words, there is a loophole where people in states without legal cannabis can get high legally on delta-8-THC. It makes sense then that people who don't have access to regulated markets would be more likely to use it," said Boehnke.

However, use of these alternative cannabinoids is concerning, says Boehnke, because these products are largely unregulated and have inadequate safety testing for contaminants like pesticides and solvents. Further, many may not contain the amounts listed on the label.

"Not only are people with medical conditions being sold products with uncertain therapeutic effects, but these products may contain contaminants that are harmful," said Boehnke. He adds that without a basic framework ensuring adequate laboratory testing for safety, alternative cannabinoid products could be putting people, especially young people, at risk.

Additional authors include Adrianne R. Wilson-Poe Ph.D., Tristin Smith MPH, Michael R. Elliott Ph.D., and Daniel J. Kruger Ph.D.