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LoParco CR, Kong AY, Yockey RA, Sekhon V, Olsson S, Rossheim ME. Factors Associated with Delta-8 THC Retail Availability in Fort Worth, Texas, 2021-2022. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:840-846. [PMID: 38247162 PMCID: PMC11072389 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2305793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Background: Delta-8 THC is a federally unregulated psychoactive cannabis product rising in popularity. However, little is known regarding its retail availability. Method: We assessed Delta-8 THC retail by calling locations with alcohol, tobacco, and/or consumable hemp retail licenses in Fort Worth, Texas, before and after Texas announced ongoing litigation surrounding Delta-8 THC legality. We linked census block area deprivation index (ADI) scores (1-10; 10 = most disadvantaged) to locations. Logistic regression models examined associations between license type, ADI, ADI*license type interaction, and Delta-8 availability at each time. Results: Retail availability was 11% at Time 1 (n = 133/1,223) and 9% at Time 2 (n = 94/1,026). Alcohol (aORTime1 = 0.18, 95%CI = 0.12,0.28; aORTime2 = 0.14, 95%CI = 0.08,0.24), tobacco (aORTime1 = 15.13, 95%CI = 6.78,33.74; aORTime2 = 12.39, 95%CI = 4.97,30.91), and consumable hemp licenses (aORTime1 = 21.85, 95%CI = 7.91,60.39; aORTime2 = 22.93, 95%CI = 6.92,75.98) were associated with Delta-8 THC retail availability; ADI scores were borderline but not statistically significant. The multiplicative interaction at Time 2 indicated locations with both high ADI scores and alcohol retail licenses had higher odds of selling Delta-8 THC. Differential associations between ADI and Delta-8 THC availability were observed based on those with (b = 0.007) or without (b = -0.023) alcohol retail licenses. Conclusions: Both timepoints had similar proportions of Delta-8 THC retailers, indicating that despite the uncertain legal landscape in Texas, interest in Delta-8 did not appear to be declining. Geographic socioeconomic disparities were observed among locations with alcohol retail licenses. Future regulations may include minimum distances from specific locations (e.g., schools), particularly in more disadvantaged areas. Increasing the compliance of Texas Delta-8 THC retailers to have the required hemp license is important for surveillance and product safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. R. LoParco
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
- George Washington University, Milken Institute School of Public Health, 950 New Hampshire Ave NW #2, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - A. Y. Kong
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, College of Medicine, 800 Stanton L Young Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, USA
- The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Stephenson Cancer Center, TSET Health Promotion Research Center, 655 Research Pkwy #400, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - R. A. Yockey
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
| | - V. Sekhon
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, 326 Market St, Harrisburg, PA, 17101, USA
| | - S. Olsson
- Texas Christian University, School of Medicine, 2800 South University Dr, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA
| | - M. E. Rossheim
- University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX, 76107, USA
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LoParco CR, Yockey RA, Sekhon VK, Olsson S, Galindo R, Balasundaram R, Agwuncha T, Rossheim ME. Kratom Retail Availability in Fort Worth, Texas. J Psychoactive Drugs 2024; 56:8-13. [PMID: 36841785 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2181243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Kratom use is associated with cannabis use, so retail availability may also be related. Kratom and Delta-8 THC (a psychoactive cannabis product) are federally unregulated, marketed as "natural," and often used for pain relief and/or relaxation. Kratom may have greater retail availability in more socioeconomically deprived areas because harmful substances are frequently marketed to lower-income communities. This study examined kratom retail availability in Fort Worth, Texas. Locations with alcohol, tobacco, and/or CBD licenses were called in July 2022: 1,025/1,223 (84%) answered the phone. T-tests examined potential differences in socioeconomic deprivation scores surrounding outlets by whether they sold kratom. Cross-tabulations examined overlap in kratom and Delta-8 THC availability. Kratom was available in 6% of locations. Most kratom retailers had a tobacco license (92%). However, most stores with a tobacco license did not sell kratom (14%), whereas most stores with a CBD license did (55%). Kratom availability was not associated with area deprivation scores. Most kratom retailers (95%) sold Delta-8 THC and two-thirds (65%) of Delta-8 THC retailers sold kratom. This study was the first to examine retail availability of kratom. Findings indicate the presence of niche stores specializing in the retail of federally unregulated substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R LoParco
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - R A Yockey
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - V K Sekhon
- Department of Analytics, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, Harrisburg, PA, USA
| | - S Olsson
- School of Medicine, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - R Galindo
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - R Balasundaram
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - T Agwuncha
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - M E Rossheim
- School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
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