Most Young Adults Incorrectly Believed Derived Cannabis Products Were FDA-Approved or Safety-Tested
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 70% of aware young adults incorrectly believed derived cannabis products were required to be safety-tested
- Evidence Grade:
- Moderate: large sample with comprehensive perceptions assessment, though convenience sample and cross-sectional design limit generalizability.
- Study Age:
- 2025 study using 2023 survey data.
- Original Title:
- Derived psychoactive cannabis product perceptions and use among a sample of US young adults.
- Published In:
- Addictive behaviors, 160, 108180 (2025)
- Authors:
- LoParco, Cassidy R(26), Rossheim, Matthew E(14), Cui, Yuxian(13), McCready, Darcey M, Romm, Katelyn F, Wang, Yan, Yang, Y Tony, Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A, Berg, Carla J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06980
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06980APA
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
MLA
LoParco, Cassidy R, et al. "Derived psychoactive cannabis product perceptions and use among a sample of US young adults.." Addictive behaviors, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108180
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Derived psychoactive cannabis product perceptions and use am..." RTHC-06980. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/loparco-2025-derived-psychoactive-cannabis-product
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.