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Availability and Promotion of Cannabidiol (CBD) Products in Online Vape Shops

Author

Listed:
  • Eric C. Leas

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Natalie Moy

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Sara B. McMenamin

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Yuyan Shi

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Tarik Benmarhnia

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
    Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Matthew D. Stone

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Dennis R. Trinidad

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Martha White

    (Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

Abstract

Vaping products containing cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabis-derived compound used in wellness products and available in all 50 US states, were recently implicated in outbreaks of poisonings. Little is known about the commercial availability of CBD products in vape shops (i.e., stores that sell e-cigarettes). To document the availability and marketing of CBD products in online vape shops, in June 2020, we used the Google Chrome browser without cached data to collect the first two pages of search results generated by five Google queries ( n = 100 search results) indicative of shopping for vaping products (e.g., “order vapes”). We then determined whether and what type of CBD products could be mail-ordered from the returned websites, and whether any explicit health claims were made about CBD. Over a third of the search results ( n = 37; 37.0%) directed to vape shops that allowed visitors to also mail-order CBD. These shops sold 12 distinct categories of CBD products–some with direct analogs of tobacco or cannabis products including CBD cigarettes, edibles, flowers, pre-rolled joints, and vapes. Two vape shops made explicit health claims of the therapeutic benefits of CBD use, including in the treatment of anxiety, inflammation, pain, and stress. The abundance and placement of CBD in online vape shops suggests a growing demand and appeal for CBD products among e-cigarette users. Additional surveillance on the epidemiology of CBD use and its co-use with tobacco is warranted.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric C. Leas & Natalie Moy & Sara B. McMenamin & Yuyan Shi & Tarik Benmarhnia & Matthew D. Stone & Dennis R. Trinidad & Martha White, 2021. "Availability and Promotion of Cannabidiol (CBD) Products in Online Vape Shops," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6719-:d:579777
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zongshuan Duan & Katelyn F. Romm & Lisa Henriksen & Nina C. Schleicher & Trent O. Johnson & Theodore L. Wagener & Steven Y. Sussman & Barbara A. Schillo & Jidong Huang & Carla J. Berg, 2022. "The Impact of Recent Tobacco Regulations and COVID-19 Restrictions and Implications for Future E-Cigarette Retail: Perspectives from Vape and Vape-and-Smoke Shop Merchants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-15, March.

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