American consumers of cannabinoid products are unaware of the amount of therapeutically active elements they contain.

In economically developed countries, both state and non-state structures closely monitor the market for cannabinoid products, regularly identifying mechanisms and methods by which products that do not have a therapeutic effect, but are positioned as an effective medical device, are brought to the market exclusively by marketing techniques. Unfortunately, in our country there are no such mechanisms at all, so the market for smuggled cannabinoid products is in complete chaos, suggesting the sale of placebo as an effective cannabinoid agent with significant therapeutic potential.

A study from the University of Waterloo in Ontario aimed to assess consumers' understanding of cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) levels in the most common hemp products, including teas, edibles, vaporizers, and beauty products. Data was collected online over a two-month period in 2018 through a survey of Canadian and US consumers.

The research data shows that consumers are unaware of the cannabinoid levels in the products they use. Specifically, 20% to 50% of shoppers do not understand the importance of the CBD: THC ratio in the products they regularly use. This lack of consumer awareness can have negative consequences for the safety of therapeutic use and call into question the confidence in the efficacy of using cannabinoid products with significant therapeutic potential.

In particular, of those consumers who reported using dried cannabis leaves and buds (teas, spices), only 10% were able to indicate the levels of THC in the products they use on a regular basis. Less than a third of cannabinoid product buyers were able to report the CBD and THC levels in the products they use. A significant proportion of those surveyed said that the products they use contain an implausible amount of CBD (over 20%) or THC (over 30%).

It is noted that there is widespread unit confusion in the North American market. For example, in some cases, cannabinoid levels are reported to consumers in milligrams (instead of grams), and in foods, cannabinoid levels are often reported as a percentage (instead of milligrams).

Given the expanding range of cannabinoid products on the North American market, there is a need for more than just educating consumers about the levels and efficacy of different cannabinoids. It is concluded that it is necessary to put things in order in the field of labeling of cannabinoid products, since most of the incorrect wording on the labels leads to the fact that buyers buy goods that do not have therapeutic properties, and products that are exclusively marketing methods are positioned as one that possesses healing / health potential.

Commentary of experts of the Association "Ukrainian technical hemp"

In economically developed countries, both state and non-state structures closely monitor the market for cannabinoid products, regularly identifying mechanisms and methods by which products that do not have a therapeutic effect, but are positioned as an effective medical device, are brought to the market exclusively by marketing techniques. Unfortunately, in our country there are no such mechanisms at all, so the market for smuggled cannabinoid products is in complete chaos, suggesting the sale of placebo as an effective cannabinoid agent with significant therapeutic potential.