YouTube Videos Portray Delta-8 THC as a Legal, Milder Cannabis Alternative
An analysis of 47 YouTube videos found that content creators portrayed Delta-8 THC as federally legal, easily accessible, and producing a milder high than traditional cannabis, with few videos age-restricted.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Four themes emerged: reasons to use (legal status, accessibility, psychoactive effects described as milder and more euphoric), how to use, effects of using, and safety/harm reduction. Creators noted product quality varies by purchase location, with online favored over gas stations. Few videos were age-restricted despite discussing psychoactive substance use.
Key Numbers
47 videos analyzed; 4 overarching themes; few videos were age-restricted; Delta-8 described as legal, milder, euphoric; online purchases favored over gas station purchases.
How They Did This
Qualitative study analyzing 47 unique YouTube videos identified by searching "Delta 8" and "Delta-8" in 2022, using combined inductive and deductive coding with team consensus.
Why This Research Matters
YouTube is the world's second-most visited website, and Delta-8 THC content reaches audiences including minors without age restrictions. The portrayal of Delta-8 as a legal cannabis loophole raises public health concerns about unregulated intoxicating products.
The Bigger Picture
Delta-8 THC emerged from a regulatory gap in the 2018 Farm Bill that defined hemp as cannabis with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. YouTube content promoting these products illustrates how social media can normalize unregulated intoxicants before regulators can respond.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample of 47 videos from a single search in 2022. YouTube content changes rapidly and may not reflect current landscape. Cannot measure actual viewer impact on behavior. Qualitative analysis subject to researcher interpretation.
Questions This Raises
- ?Have YouTube policies changed to restrict Delta-8 content since this study?
- ?What is the actual health impact of Delta-8 THC compared to Delta-9?
- ?How should social media platforms handle content about legal-but-unregulated intoxicants?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Few YouTube videos about Delta-8 THC were age-restricted despite discussing psychoactive effects
- Evidence Grade:
- Preliminary: Small qualitative sample (47 videos) from a single platform and search timepoint.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025 with 2022 data collection.
- Original Title:
- Portrayal of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on YouTube.
- Published In:
- Substance use & misuse, 60(6), 811-817 (2025)
- Authors:
- Olsson, Sofia E, Sekhon, Vishaldeep K, LoParco, Cassidy R(26), Yockey, R Andrew, Greene, Kaylin M, Henry, Doug, Rossheim, Matthew E
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07279
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring but typically minor cannabinoid that produces psychoactive effects similar to but reportedly milder than Delta-9 THC (the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis). It gained popularity after the 2018 Farm Bill created a regulatory gray area.
Is Delta-8 THC actually legal?
Its legal status is disputed. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, and some retailers claim this covers Delta-8 products. However, many states have moved to restrict or ban Delta-8, and the FDA has not approved it for any use.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07279APA
Olsson, Sofia E; Sekhon, Vishaldeep K; LoParco, Cassidy R; Yockey, R Andrew; Greene, Kaylin M; Henry, Doug; Rossheim, Matthew E. (2025). Portrayal of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on YouTube.. Substance use & misuse, 60(6), 811-817. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2454651
MLA
Olsson, Sofia E, et al. "Portrayal of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on YouTube.." Substance use & misuse, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/10826084.2025.2454651
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Portrayal of Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on YouTube." RTHC-07279. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/olsson-2025-portrayal-of-delta8-tetrahydrocannabinol
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.