Cannabis Law Report | Where to order Skittles Moonrock online

Background: Hemp-based psychoactives are a growing market in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe. There is very little empirical research on these Novel Psychoactive Substances. This research, which examines policy, market conditions and consumer uptake as well as related risks, extends the theory on drug trends. It describes the regulatory environments that influence the emergence and popularization of psychoactive hemp products among young adults.

Methods: We examined the impact of regulatory conditions on hemp-based psychoactive market trends, their use and associated risks. This was based on ethnographic fieldwork in 3 U.S. hemp and cannabis policy contexts, as well as 40 in-depth interviews conducted with young adult cannabis users recruited from 10 U.S. States.

Results: The regulatory and market environments which facilitate the production of highly effective products, that are affordable and easily accessible, motivate young adults to consume hemp-based psychoactives. States that regulate hemp psychoactives under the same regulations as cannabis do not give hemp markets a competitive edge and as a result, hemp market adoption is minimal. In the absence hemp-specific policies, significant variations in product potencies and insufficient dosage information, as well as unscrupulous packaging practices, may increase related risks.

Conclusion: Trend theory can provide insight into the complex relationships between drug policy and markets, as well as the proliferation of legal highs. Understanding the context of market and regulatory conditions on legal drug production and distribution, as well as consumption, may help to reduce the risks associated with novel psychoactive substances such hemp-based psychoactives.