A Content Analysis of Social Media Discussions on THC-O-Acetate.
Daniel J. Kruger, Karahmet Amila, Sydney M Kaplan, John Redfield, Taylor Stacy, Vitush Agarwal, Mutaz Faqqouseh, Carlton Cb Bone
Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.) 2023 DOI: 10.26828/cannabis/2023/000164 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Reddit users posting on the THCO subreddit |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | = THC-O-Acetate Reddit Ketene Qualitative analysis Social media |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | The most common administration method for THC-O-acetate reported by users was heated inhalation, despite concerns about ketene gas release. |
Abstract
Novel cannabinoids require systematic research to inform policies and practices. There is a growing interest in semi-synthetic cannabinoids by consumers, manufacturers, and regulators. However, there is a scarcity of research on these substances. Online discussion forums can provide guidance for research questions when current knowledge is scarce. The current project investigates the topics and issues covered in a social media forum devoted to THC-O-acetate (THCO), a semi-synthetic cannabinoid with rapidly rising popularity. Reddit comments posted on the THCO subreddit from June 2021 through November 2021 were coded for major and minor themes by a team of five coders and a supervisor. Major themes were established and clarified through group discussions. A second round of coding confirmed major themes and identified minor themes. The analysis identified several future research topics for THC-O-acetate, including the extent of variation in product composition, the characteristics of user experiences and comparisons with other substances, whether THC-O-acetate produces psychedelic effects, concerns and adverse experiences, and user harm reduction practices. As an acetate ester, THC-O-acetate may break down when heated and release toxic ketene gas. Although several users expressed safety concerns regarding THC-O-acetate, some explicitly mentioning ketene risk, the most common administration method reported was heated inhalation.