Most Young Adults Incorrectly Believed Derived Cannabis Products Were FDA-Approved or Safety-Tested | Research

The takeaway

Among over 4,000 young adults, 70% believed derived cannabis products were required to be safety-tested and 59% thought they were FDA-approved, despite neither being true.

Young adults using derived cannabis products and policymakers considering DPCP regulation.

70% of aware young adults incorrectly believed derived cannabis products were required to be safety-tested

What the researchers found

DPCP awareness was 67.5% overall (87% among cannabis users vs 49% non-users). Lifetime use was 41.7%, past-month 24.4%. Among those aware, 70.3% incorrectly believed DPCPs were required to be tested and approved for safety, and 59% believed they were FDA-approved. Delta-8 THC was the most commonly used (69.7% of ever-users). Lower perceived harm and higher perceived social acceptability predicted use.

Why it matters

Widespread misconceptions about the regulatory status of derived cannabis products put consumers at risk. The belief that these products are FDA-approved or safety-tested could lead users to underestimate potential harms from unregulated, untested products.

The numbers in context

4,031 young adults. DPCP awareness: 67.5%. Lifetime use: 41.7%. Past-month use: 24.4% (45.6% of cannabis users, 4.2% of non-users). 70.3% believed DPCPs were safety-tested (false). 59% believed FDA-approved (false). Main use reasons: curiosity (55.5%), believed legal (34.1%), friend suggestion (34%).

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 4,031 US young adults aged 18-34 (approximately 50% past-month cannabis users). Multivariable regressions examined demographics, cannabis use, and risk perceptions in relation to past-month DPCP use, frequency, and future use likelihood.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design. Convenience sample aiming for 50% cannabis users overrepresents users. Self-reported perceptions and use. The DPCP market is evolving rapidly, so findings may not reflect current conditions.

How to read the evidence

Moderate: large sample with comprehensive perceptions assessment, though convenience sample and cross-sectional design limit generalizability.

When this study was published

2025 study using 2023 survey data.

The bigger picture

The derived cannabis product market has grown faster than consumer education or regulatory frameworks. These misperceptions about safety and regulation echo patterns seen with e-cigarettes, where market growth preceded public understanding of risks.

Questions still open

Would correcting misperceptions about FDA approval reduce DPCP use? Should derived products carry mandatory labels about their unregulated status? How do misperceptions about safety testing affect consumption behavior?

Common questions

Are Delta-8 and similar products FDA-approved?

No. Despite 59% of survey respondents believing otherwise, derived cannabis products like Delta-8 THC are not FDA-approved or required to be safety-tested before sale.

What were the most common reasons for trying these products?

Curiosity (55.5%), belief that they were federally legal (34.1%), and friends' suggestions (34%). Lower perceived harm and higher perceived social acceptability also predicted use.

Read the original research

Derived psychoactive cannabis product perceptions and use among a sample of US young adults.

Addictive behaviors, 160, 108180

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

LoParco, Cassidy R; Rossheim, Matthew E; Cui, Yuxian; McCready, Darcey M; Romm, Katelyn F; Wang, Yan; Yang, Y Tony; Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A; Berg, Carla J. (2025). Derived psychoactive cannabis product perceptions and use among a sample of US young adults.. Addictive behaviors, 160, 108180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108180