Hemp-derived cannabinoid use among young adults in Lexington, Kentucky in 2024

Introduction : The availability and use of hemp-derived cannabinoids (HDCs), such as delta-8-THC and CBD, have increased rapidly due to changes in US cannabis policy and their federally legal status. The health effects of HDCs remain largely unknown. Limited data exists on patterns and motivations for HDC use among young adults. This study examined prevalence, modes, and motivations for use of these products among young adults in Lexington, Kentucky. Methods A cross-sectional survey was completed by adults aged 18–30 living in or near Lexington, Kentucky, between February and March 2024 to assess demographic characteristics, traditional marijuana use, and HDC use, including type, frequency, modes, and motivations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests, and logistic regression via SAS 9.4, with significance set at α = 0.05. Results The final analytic sample included 99 participants. Most were between 21 and 30 years old (77.8%), female (66.3%), white (81.3%), and had used marijuana at least once (81.8%). Lifetime use of HDCs was common (67.7%), with 24.2% of participants reporting past-month use. The most common modes of consumption were edibles (89.6%), followed by smoking (70.1%), and vaping (64.2%). The most frequently reported motivations for use were “for the high” (77.4%), followed by anxiety (63.3%) and trouble sleeping (57.2%). Those who had ever used marijuana were 4.3 times more likely to report any HDC use, even after adjusting for income and sex (aPR: 4.34, 1.54–12.28), and 10.4 times more likely to report past-month HDC use (PR: 10.35, 2.12-∞) than those who had never used marijuana. Conclusion This study is among the first to examine HDC use among young adults. Future studies with larger sample sizes are needed to further investigate patterns of use and examine disparities.