Content analysis of online product descriptions from cannabis retailers in six US states
Content analysis of online product descriptions from cannabis retailers in six US states
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DOI：
10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.10.017
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发表时间：
2020-01-01
影响因子：
4.4
通讯作者：
Moran, Meghan B.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Luc, Mary H.;Tsang, Samantha W.;Moran, Meghan B.
背景：随着大麻的购买在美国各州合法化，大麻营销呈现出一种未经探索的监管格局。对其他消费品的研究表明，市场营销会影响消费者对产品的看法、使用预期和行为。目前的研究探讨了如何大麻产品是描述在美国大麻零售商websites.Methods：我们使用全国大麻行业协会网站，以确定27零售商，链接到砖和迫击炮的位置在六个州，谁做广告大麻花产品在线，和主题编码的描述每种产品出售（N=428）.Results：大麻株产品描述分为六类：精神活性效应、身体效应、社会效应、感觉特征、治疗和治愈声明以及负面/警告。放松/缓解压力（47.4%）和快乐（43.9%）是最常见的精神活性作用，放松/镇静是最常见的身体作用（41.6%）。许多产品注意到感官特征，如水果味（38.1%）或甜味（31.3%）。相当多的零售商声称，压力可以缓解疼痛和抑郁。潜在副作用或警告的报告不太常见。结论：在线大麻零售商正在进行可能未经证实的产品索赔。未来的工作应该研究这些说法告知消费者行为的潜力。法规应确保大麻标签不会误导消费者或促进不安全使用。
Background: As the purchase of cannabis becomes legalized in US states, cannabis marketing presents an unexplored regulatory landscape. Research examining other consumer products indicates marketing informs consumer product perceptions, use expectancies, and behavior. The current study examined how cannabis products are described on US cannabis retailer websites.Methods: We used the National Cannabis Industry Association website to identify 27 retailers, linked to brick-and-mortar locations in six states, who advertised cannabis flower products online, and thematically coded descriptions of each product sold (N=428).Results: Cannabis strain product descriptions fell into six categories: psychoactive effects, physical effects, social effects, sensory profile, therapeutic and curative claims, and negatives/warnings. Relaxation/stress relief (47.4%) and happiness (43.9%) were the most commonly described psychoactive effects, and relaxation/sedation was the most common physical effect (41.6%). Many products noted sensory characteristics, such as fruity (38.1%) or sweet (31.3%) taste/smell. A significant number of retailers claimed that strains could relieve pain and depression. Reports of potential side effects or warnings were less common.Conclusion: Online cannabis retailers are making potentially unsubstantiated product claims. Future work should examine the potential for these claims to inform consumer behavior. Regulations should ensure that cannabis labeling does not mislead consumers or promote unsafe use.