Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, THC-O, THCP, and THCV: What Should We Call These Products?

• Published in: Journal of studies on alcohol and drugs Vol. 84; no. 3; pp. 357 - 360
• Main Authors: Rossheim, Matthew E, LoParco, Cassidy R, Henry, Doug, Trangenstein, Pamela J, Walters, Scott T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Alcohol Research Documentation, Inc 01-05-2023
• Subjects: Agriculture; Confusion; Legalization; Marijuana; Perpetuation; Popularity; Racism; Terminology; Tetrahydrocannabinol; THC
• ISSN: 1937-1888; 1938-4114
• DOI: 10.15288/jsad.23-00008

The 2018 U.S. Federal Agriculture Improvement Act ("Farm Bill") resulted in what some have called a "legal loophole" in cannabis regulation. As different types of cannabis products proliferate, so has the terminology used to attempt to categorize them. This article presents a variety of potential descriptors to encourage dialogue about the language used to classify the multitude of psychoactive cannabinoid products that have grown in popularity since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Our recommended term for these products is
. The term
helps distinguish these products from naturally grown cannabis products.
makes clear that these products can produce psychoactive effects. Finally,
balances accuracy and understandability regarding the substance while discouraging perpetuation of the word
because of its racist inception. The resulting term,
is broad enough to encapsulate all related products while being specific enough to exclude other substances. Adopting accurate and consistent terminology will reduce confusion and help establish a more cohesive scientific literature base.