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Publication Date

6-28-2024

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Presentation: 6:44

Poster attached as supplemental file below

Abstract

US hemp legalization created an unregulated drug market that threatens public health and safety and public interest in hemp products has increased rapidly since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. Many consumers report using these products to treat symptoms of medical conditions, and increases in adverse events have been reported. This rapid review aims to better understand how the lack of federal regulations has impacted labeled and unlabeled hemp product ingredients by summarizing findings from chemical and elemental analyses of consumer market hemp cannabidiol (CBD) and manufactured intoxicating cannabinoid (MIC) products and use these findings to inform public policy and public awareness efforts. Search strategies were developed in consultation with a research librarian and screening was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and SciFinder databases, as well as grey literature sources. A total of 11 peer-reviewed articles were found to meet inclusion criteria and included in the final analysis. Results showed numerous public health concerns associated with the potency and purity of unregulated CBD and MIC products including pervasive cannabinoid mislabeling; unlabeled intoxicating cannabinoids; unlabeled poorly characterized and unknown compounds; and the identification of heavy metal, phthalate, synthetic cannabinoids, and adulterant contaminants. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first review to explore ingredients of concern in both hemp CBD and MIC products. As commercial production increases, and consumer demand continues to grow for CBD and MIC products, it is critical that public health and safety measures, with respect to production, testing, labeling and distribution, are put in place in real-time, and across socio-ecological levels. The results are used to discuss policy and public awareness recommendations and inform future research needs.

Lay Summary

Hemp is a type of Cannabis that is legal in the US, but there is no national guidance or oversight for how hemp products are produced, labeled, or sold to the public. Hemp products are widely available, both online and in local shops, and many people report using hemp products to treat medical symptoms. Without oversight, hemp products may contain ingredients that put health and safety at risk, and increases in hospital visits have been reported since hemp was legalized. The goal of this study was to identify ingredients of concern in hemp products sold in the US. A search was conducted for research that tested intoxicating and non-intoxicating hemp products for intoxication potential, labeling accuracy, and contamination risk. Results showed that many hemp products are mislabeled, including unlabeled ingredients that increase the risk of unexpected intoxication. Heavy metals and chemicals with known health risks were also found in many of the products. Additionally, inhaled products (i.e., “vapes”) may contain flavorings and other additives that increase the risk of lung injury. Understanding the types of ingredients found in hemp products that may harm health and safety creates an opportunity to address these issues in real-time and empowers people to make informed choices about the products they consume. Further research is needed to understand the extent of harm these ingredients of concern can cause and determine the best path forward for hemp product production, policy, and public health messaging.

Additional Files
202406_Sparr-Jaswa_Andrea_poster.pptx (5105 kB)

Language

English

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