Derived cannabinoid product availability among online vape shops.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cannabinoid Product Regulation
• E-commerce Analytics

Background:

• The proliferation of online vape shops presents challenges in monitoring product offerings and regulatory compliance.
• Derived cannabinoid products, including flavored and inhalable options, are increasingly available despite existing state hemp regulations.
• Understanding the market dynamics and consumer interest in these products is crucial for public health oversight.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the prevalence of derived cannabinoid products offered by online vape shops in San Diego, California.
• To assess the compliance of these retailers with state hemp regulations.
• To investigate the relationship between the availability of derived cannabinoid products and website traffic.

Main Methods:

• A content analysis of 109 online vape shops identified in San Diego between March and August 2023.
• Searches utilized browser-based and map-based platforms (Google Search, Google Maps, Yelp).
• Website traffic data was analyzed to correlate derived cannabinoid product availability with monthly website visits.

Main Results:

• 35.8% of surveyed online vape shops offered derived cannabinoid products for mail-order purchase.
• 26.6% sold flavored and inhalable cannabinoid products, which are prohibited under California hemp regulations.
• Vape shops offering any derived cannabinoid products received 5.5 times more monthly website visits than those without.

Conclusions:

• The high prevalence of prohibited flavored and inhalable cannabinoid products underscores the need for enhanced regulatory enforcement.
• Increased website traffic for shops selling cannabinoid products suggests greater consumer demand compared to nicotine or tobacco-only retailers.
• Findings highlight potential public health risks and the need for updated strategies to address the evolving market for cannabinoid vapes.