Biological Testing Found THCA and CBN in Many Nightclub Goers' Saliva | Research

The takeaway

Saliva testing of over 1,000 New York City nightclub attendees detected THCA-A in 11.7% and CBN in 8.9%, with significant demographic disparities in detection rates.

Drug surveillance researchers, public health officials, and those tracking the real-world impact of hemp-derived cannabinoid products.

What the researchers found

THC was detected in 30.8% of saliva samples, THCA-A in 11.7%, and CBN in 8.9%. Females had lower odds of THCA-A (aOR=0.28) and CBN (aOR=0.47) detection. Black participants had higher odds of THCA-A (aOR=2.04) and CBN (aOR=3.74) detection. Lower education was associated with higher detection rates.

Why it matters

As hemp-derived cannabinoid products proliferate, understanding real-world exposure through biological testing rather than self-report provides more accurate prevalence data. The detection of THCA-A and CBN alongside THC suggests these derived cannabinoids have reached meaningful market penetration.

The numbers in context

N=1,024 (45.9% female). THC detected: 30.8%. THCA-A: 11.7%. CBN: 8.9%. Female vs. male THCA-A: aOR=0.28 (95% CI: 0.16-0.48). Black vs. White THCA-A: aOR=2.04 (95% CI: 1.12-3.72). Black vs. White CBN: aOR=3.74 (95% CI: 1.94-7.23). High school or less vs. college degree THCA-A: aOR=4.02 (95% CI: 2.40-6.74).

How the study worked

Cross-sectional biological surveillance study of 1,024 adults entering New York City nightclubs throughout 2024. Saliva samples were tested for multiple cannabinoids including THCA-A and CBN alongside self-reported survey data.

What this study cannot tell us

Nightclub attendees are not representative of the general population. Saliva testing captures recent use but not frequency or amount. Cannot determine whether detected cannabinoids came from hemp-derived products or traditional cannabis. Cross-sectional design provides only a snapshot.

How to read the evidence

Biological testing provides objective exposure data, but convenience sample from nightclubs limits generalizability and single time-point limits understanding of patterns.

When this study was published

Published 2025, saliva samples collected throughout 2024.

The bigger picture

THCA-A products (often marketed as 'legal THC' because they convert to THC when heated) represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the hemp-derived cannabinoid market. Their detection in biological samples confirms that marketing claims translate into actual use at population level.

Questions still open

Whether THCA-A and CBN detection reflects intentional use of these specific cannabinoids or incidental exposure from cannabis products
What the demographic disparities in detection rates reveal about marketing and accessibility of different cannabinoid products

Common questions

What is THCA-A and why does it matter?

THCA-A (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A) is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC found in raw cannabis. It converts to THC when heated. Products high in THCA-A are marketed as legal under the Farm Bill because they technically contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC until consumed.

Why test nightclub goers specifically?

Nightclub populations tend to have higher rates of substance use, making them useful for detecting emerging drug trends early. The researchers treat this as a sentinel surveillance approach rather than a general population estimate.

Read the original research

Saliva detection of the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) and cannabinol (CBN) among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2024.

The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 51(4), 484-491

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Satybaldiyeva, Nora; Yang, Kevin H; Krotulski, Alex J; Walton, Sara E; Stang, Brianna; Palamar, Joseph J. (2025). Saliva detection of the cannabinoids tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) and cannabinol (CBN) among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2024.. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 51(4), 484-491. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2025.2515360