Associations between cannabis risk perceptions and Delta-8 THC use among young adults

Delta-8 THC is a federally unregulated, implicitly legal, psychoactive substance from the cannabis plant. Delta-8 THC popularity and related consequences have been rising in the U.S.

Examine factors associated with Delta-8 THC use to fill the literature gap.

Data were from a survey among a convenience sample of 18-25-year-olds (n=166). Mixed effects multivariable logistic regression models examined whether perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of harms from use were associated with past-year Delta-8 THC use. These two predictors were measured separately for Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, student status, and past year Delta-9 THC use were adjusted for as covariates; a random intercept for state was included to account for between-state variabilities.

The following were associated with higher odds of past-year Delta-8 THC use: lower Delta-8 perceived severity and Delta-9 perceived susceptibility, and higher Delta-9 perceived severity and Delta-8 perceived susceptibility. People who had used Delta-9 in the past year had 20 times the odds of using Delta-8.

The inconsistent direction of associations between cannabis risk perceptions and Delta-8 THC use may indicate reverse causation. Findings lay the groundwork to understanding theoretical antecedents of Delta-8 THC use, for which future research can build upon.