New Kinds of [Hash]tags

Abstract

The rise of distinct subcultures of cannabinoid users and the proliferation of new psychoactive substances derived from the hemp plant reflects a dynamic relationship between the development of new cannabis products and the growth of the markets for these goods. This research combines social science and analytical chemistry framework to explore the historical, linguistic, and chemical developments of cannabis acetates and related products over time Understanding the multiplicity of contexts that have influenced the trajectory of moieties like THC-O-Acetate is an attempt at detecting and identifying other new psychoactive substances with structural or functional similarities to Δ⁹-THC through an interdisciplinary lens. The article concludes with a discussion on the potential implications of this kind of multidisciplinary research on new psychoactive substance research and regulation.

A content analysis of social media discussions on THC-O-acetate

“…The term semisynthetic cannabinoids refers to the growing category of cannabinoids synthesized from hemp extracts being sold as psychoactive substances (Devitt et al, 2022). The passage of the 2018 Farm Bill has increased the interest in and availability of new psychoactive cannabinoids, spawning several consumer networks and online communities (Bone et al, 2022). Researchers are beginning to document use patterns and experiences with recently marketed psychoactive cannabinoids, such as with the stereoisomer delta-8-THC (Kruger & Kruger, 2021), one of the most prevalent semi-synthetic cannabinoids in this emergent niche (Szcypka et al, 2022).…”