Browsing by Author "LoParco, Cassidy"
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Item Characteristics of Delta-8 THC retailers in a large metropolitan city(2022) LoParco, Cassidy; Walker, Drew; McDonald, Kayla; Pathak, Sunidhi Santosh; Eggleston, Jensen; Olsson, Sofia; Yockey, Robert; Luningham, Justin M.; Kong, Amanda; Henry, Doug; Rossheim, MatthewBackground: Retail sales of Delta-8 THC, an isomer of the more common form of cannabis (Delta-9 THC), have increased in the U.S. market since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Specifically, the Farm Bill allowed for the sale of hemp products, which are classified as products having less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. Importantly, sales of Delta-8 THC are unregulated and may introduce possible risk arising from either psychoactive effects or unregulated solvents left behind from the synthesis of Delta-8 THC from CBD. The current study describes the Delta-8 THC retail sales environment in a large metropolitan city. Methods: Potential Delta-8 THC retailers were identified by identifying lists of current retail locations with alcohol, CBD, and tobacco licenses in Fort Worth, Texas (n = 1,961). Research assistants called retailers between September 8 and October 14, 2021, to query about sales of products containing Delta-8 THC; 69% (n = 1,223) of retailers answered and provided data on Delta-8 THC. Outlets' 9-digit ZIP codes were merged with area socioeconomic deprivation index scores. Chi-squared tests compared socioeconomic deprivation index scores between outlets that sold Delta-8 THC versus those that did not sell Delta-8 THC. Among a subsample of those who did sell Delta-8 THC, t-tests examined associations between prices and the type of Delta-8 THC products. Results: Approximately one in ten retail outlets (11%, n = 133) reported selling products containing Delta-8 THC. Most (96%) sold Delta-8 THC in the form of flower/vapes, and three-fourths (76%) sold edibles. Among the least expensive Delta-8 THC products available at these retail outlets were edibles (mean price = $15.39), which cost $8.58 less than flowers/vapes (mean price: $23.97; p < 0.001) on average. Retail outlets that sold Delta-8 THC, compared to those that did not, were in zip codes with greater deprivation (p = 0.02). Most outlets reported having a minimum age for sales of Delta-8 THC as 21 years; however, 4% reported 18 years or no minimum age for sale of Delta-8 THC products. Discussion: Delta-8 THC retail outlets were disproportionately located in ZIP codes with higher levels of socioeconomic deprivation. Legal intervention, such as zoning laws, may be warranted to prevent potential health disparities from overexposing a subset of communities to these products. Policies, such as increasing Delta-8 THC product prices and restricting the types of products sold may help reduce access and appeal to people under 21 years old.Item DOES BIOLOGICAL SEX MODERATE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN POSITIVE/NEGATIVE AFFECT AND SIMULTANEOUS/CONCURRENT ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE?(2021) LoParco, Cassidy; Zhou, Zhengyang; Seamster, Morgan; Litt, Dana M.; Lewis, MelissaPurpose. Using both alcohol and marijuana is risky, particularly when using both with overlapping effects. However, it is unclear how positive and negative affect are associated with simultaneous alcohol and marijuana use (SAM; using both with overlapping effect) and concurrent alcohol and marijuana use (CAM; defined in this study as using both substances in the past month without overlapping effect), and what role sex plays in these associations. Methods. Baseline data among past-year alcohol or marijuana users age 15–25 (N=417; mean age 21.2 (SD=2.7); 63.8% female) were used from a larger study. A logistic and an ordinal logistic regression model examined if sex moderated associations between positive/negative affect and past-month 1) CAM (yes/no) and 2) SAM use (ordinal categorical variable measuring occasions), respectively. Models controlled for age, sex, race, and ethnicity due to prior associations with outcomes. Results. Although the main effects of positive and negative affect were not associated with CAM or SAM use, the interactions suggest that with each increased unit of negative affect, males had a 7% (OR=1.07, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17) and 9% (OR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17) higher odds of using CAM and higher level of SAM use, respectively. Females with higher levels of negative affect did not have higher odds of CAM or SAM use. Conclusions. Interventions aiming to decrease SAM/CAM use could target males who are experiencing high levels of negative affect. Future studies utilizing longitudinal data are needed to assess if causal associations between positive/negative affect, sex, and SAM/CAM use exist.Item Drink prices, drink specials, and tobacco policies in a national sample of on-premise drinking establishments(2022) LoParco, Cassidy; Walker, Drew; Livingston, Melvin D.; Trangenstein, Pamela; Khoshhal, Bita; Gonzalez-Pons, Kwynn; Thombs, Dennis; Rossheim, MatthewBackground: Bar and nightclub practices, such as offering inexpensive drinks, having pricing promotions (e.g., 2-for-1, happy hour), and permitting e-cigarette use indoors can increase the amount of alcohol that individuals consume and the number of negative consequences they experience. College students in particular may have a greater risk of increased consumption and related harms to themselves and others. Despite the implications, few studies have assessed the presence of low-cost alcohol and e-cigarette-friendly environments around colleges. The current study surveilled drink prices and specials and examined associated characteristics of on-premise drinking establishments near large universities. Methods: In 2018, telephone calls about prices, practices, and policies were made to 404 randomly selected bars and nightclubs within 2 miles of the largest residential universities in each U.S. state. The Alcohol Policy Information System provided data on state-level alcohol policies. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models examined associations between drinking establishment characteristics, drink prices, and drink specials. Results: The average price for a beer and a shot of vodka were $3.62 and $4.77, respectively. Most establishments (65%) had happy hour specials and 6% had 2-for-1 drink specials. Nearly all (91%) sold food, while 9% sold cigarettes on-premise and 8% allowed smoking inside. Almost 1 in 5 establishments (18%) allowed e-cigarette use inside. Allowing e-cigarette use indoors (b = -0.54) and selling cigarettes on-premise (b = -0.79) were associated with significantly lower vodka prices, whereas allowing cigarette smoking inside (b = -0.46) was associated with significantly lower beer prices. Several factors were significantly associated with higher odds of having a happy hour special, including lower beer prices (OR = 1.38), selling food (OR = 2.97), no state law banning happy hour specials with full day price reductions permitted (OR = 12.74), and no complete bans on happy hour specials (OR = 4.24). Allowing e-cigarette use indoors was significantly associated with higher odds of having a 2-for-1 drink special (OR = 6.38). Conclusions: The current study is one of the first to identify associations between business practices/policies of on-premise drinking establishments and drink prices. This study used a national sample of on-premise drinking locations near large universities to provide insight into how alcohol prices may be discounted to promote sales of other products. For example, locations selling cigarettes on-premise were associated with lower vodka prices. Importantly, previous research indicates positive associations between alcohol consumption and smoking. Coupled with the lowered drink prices, settings that are permissive of smoking and vaping may be associated with increased risk of both heavy drinking and tobacco use, as well as their related harms. Given the frequently offered drink specials and strong association between price and consumption, more research is needed regarding alcohol prices/specials at on-premise drinking sites.Item EXAMINING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN YOUNG ADULT ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND WILLINGNESS TO ENGAGE IN ALCOHOL, MARIJUANA, AND SIMULTANEOUS ALCOHOL AND MARIJUANA USE(2021) Seamster, Morgan; LoParco, Cassidy; Astorga, Angeles; Litt, Dana M.; Lewis, MelissaPurpose: Research indicates that young adults use alcohol and marijuana independently, or simultaneously (SAM; alcohol and marijuana use at the same time so that effects overlap) to cope with emotional distress (i.e., anxiety, depression). Given that behavioral willingness (i.e., openness) can be viewed as a predisposition to behavior, understanding mental health-related factors associated with willingness to engage in different types of substance use (i.e., alcohol, marijuana, SAM) may aid in identifying young adults at risk for harmful substance use. Methods: Participants ages 18-25 (N=363;60.1% female) completed baseline of a larger ecological momentary assessment study. Linear regression analyses controlling for age, gender, and past-month substance use examined associations between depressive and anxious distress and a willingness to engage in alcohol, marijuana, and SAM use. Results: Reports of higher depressive symptoms were associated with more willingness to use alcohol (B= 0.21, t = 2.85, p < .01) and engage in SAM use (B= 0.13, t = 2.25, p < .05). Anxious symptomology was associated with less willingness to use alcohol (B= -0.22, t = -2.99, p < .01), and more willingness to use marijuana (B= 0.15, t = 1.99, p < .05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that depressive and anxious distress are differentially associated with a willingness to engage in different types of substance use, depending on whether alcohol and marijuana are used independently or simultaneously. Therefore, targeted intervention strategies for young adults with depressive or anxious symptoms through early identification of willingness cognitions could prevent harmful substance use.Item Examining Willingness and Intentions to Drink Alcohol as Predictors of Protective Behavioral Strategies(2019-03-05) Lowery, Ashley; Leon, Marcela; Galvin, Annalynn; Litt, Dana M.; Lewis, Melissa; LoParco, CassidyPurpose: Willingness and intentions are components of the Prototype Willingness Model (PWM), which predicts adolescent and young adult health-risk behaviors. However, research has yet to examine intentions and willingness as predictors of health-protective behaviors, such as alcohol-related protective behavioral strategies (PBS). PBS are behavioral strategies to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed or risk for negative consequences. Longitudinal and daily-level findings have shown PBS to be associated with alcohol-related consequences. As such, we hypothesized that willingness and intentions to drink any alcohol or engage in heavy-episodic drinking (4+ women, 5+ men) will be associated with subsequent PBS use. Methods: A total of 1,034 participants (mean age 19.5, 45% male) completed longitudinal data as part of a larger experimental study. Linear regressions controlling for age and sex were used to test all models. Results: Study findings indicated that the harm reduction PBS subscale was significantly predicted by intentions of heaviest drinking day (ß = 0.027, t = 2.261, p Conclusions: Willingness and intentions, the primary components of the PWM, were shown to predict the health-protective behaviors of alcohol-related PBS. A targeted intervention among those who are more willing to drink may promote the use of PBS, which in turn may reduce alcohol-related consequences.Item Late Night Social Networking Use and the Associations with Adolescent and Young Adult Sleep Quality, Substance Use, and Anxiety(2019-03-05) LoParco, Cassidy; Galvin, Annalynn; Leon, Marcela; Lewis, Melissa; Litt, Dana M.; Lowery, AshleyPurpose: Research has shown social networking site use to be associated with adolescent and young adult health and risk behavior generally, but less is known about whether late night use is related to health and well-being. The purpose of this study is to examine late night use (between the hours of 11pm and 5am) of specific social networking site platforms (Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook) in relation to sleep quality, substance use (alcohol, marijuana), and anxiety. Methods: Adolescents and young adults ages 15-20 (mean age of 18.39, (SD = 1.32), 47% male) completed a survey from which the current data are drawn as part of a larger experimental study (N=306). Linear regressions were carried out, controlling for age, sex, education status, race, alcohol and marijuana use, and anxiety in all models. Results: Findings indicated that past week late night use of Instagram was associated with fewer hours of sleep at night on average (t = -2.02, p t = 3.44, pt = 2.11, p t = 2.78, p t = -2.12, p all p-values [greater than] .05). Finally, linear regression results indicated that past week late night use of Snapchat was positively associated with past month anxiety (t = 2.102, p Conclusions: Together, these findings contribute to the growing literature supporting the association between social media use and various aspects of well-being in adolescents and young adults. The present findings suggest that late night social networking site use by platform is an important factor that warrants further investigation in the context of adolescent and young adult sleep, substance use, and anxiety. IRB #: 2018-009Item Qualitative Descriptions of "What is Delta-8 THC"?(2022) Olsson, Sofia; LoParco, Cassidy; Rossheim, MatthewBackground: Delta-8 THC is a chemical isomer of the more common form of THC found in the Cannabis plant, Delta-9. Delta-8 THC retail increased after the 2018 Farm Bill was passed. This bill defined hemp as anything having less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight, thus implicitly defining Delta-8 THC as hemp rather than marijuana. The retail of Delta-8 THC is unregulated, and both consumers and retailers may lack an understanding of the substance. This study utilized qualitative responses of retailers selling Delta-8 THC products in Fort Worth, Texas to understand how retailers are explaining the product to consumers. Methods: Retail locations in Fort Worth, Texas with alcohol, CBD, or tobacco retail licenses was compiled (n = 1,777). Retail locations were contacted between September 8 and October 14, 2021, by research assistants to query the retail of Delta-8 THC products. This study utilized a subsample of retail locations (n = 125) that answered the question asking, "What is Delta-8?" Qualitative analysis was performed by authors SO and CRL. Results: Cohen's kappa was 0.92, indicating a good inter-rater reliability. Many retailers (20.8%, n = 26) reported that they were unsure of what Delta-8 is while 7 (5.6%) told surveyors to look it up themselves. Several retailers (8.8%, n = 11) withheld information, stating they would provide information over the phone. Nearly a quarter (23.2%, n = 29) of retailers made claims on the legal status of Delta-8 THC (e.g., that it was legal), seven (5.6%) of which specifically mentioned the 0.3% Delta-9 THC threshold. Delta-8 THC was often described as a form of marijuana (34.4%, n = 43). Importantly, Delta-8 THC was also frequently described as CBD (19.2%, n = 24) or hemp (7.2%, n = 9), substances without psychoactive effects. Several retailers described the potential effects of Delta-8 (e.g., "It relaxes you"; 26.4%, n = 33) or the potency (e.g., "Not high dose"; 13.6%, n = 17). Discussion: Comments on the legal status of Delta-8 products may be misleading to consumers as lack of regulation may result in illegal product composition. For example, recent research has found that 76% (n = 51) of Delta-8 products surveyed had Delta-9 THC levels above the legal limit (Johnson 2021). Several retailers verbally withheld information or said they were unsure of what the product is, which may be due to the lack of clarity surrounding Delta-8 THC product composition and/or legality. Retailers often described Delta-8 THC by focusing on psychoactive experiences or potency, rather than an explicit definition of the product, which may be a marketing strategy. Without proper laws regulating the marketing or packaging of Delta-8 THC products, individuals may be unaware of the contents. This may lead to increased consumption, particularly among adolescents and young adults or those not expecting psychoactive effects. Regulation, surveillance, and product definitions of Delta-8 are important to reduce the risk of adverse effects.Item Testing Impulsivity and Sex as Moderators of the Association Between Young Adult Alcohol-Related Sexual Willingness and Behavior(2020) Litt, Dana M.; Lewis, Melissa; Zhou, Zhengyang; LoParco, CassidyBackground: Young adult alcohol use is a public health concern due to both high prevalence and associations with negative consequences and related health-risk behaviors, such as risky sex. Research indicates individual differences such as impulsivity may be related to young adult health-risk behaviors and may differ based on biological sex. Purpose: This study examined longitudinal associations between willingness at baseline (i.e., openness to engaging in a behavior) and engaging in alcohol-related sexual behaviors (number of times consuming alcohol before or during sex and number of drinks consumed before or during sex) among young adults and tested impulsivity subscales (urgency, lack of premeditation, and sensation seeking) as moderators of the associations between willingness and alcohol-related sexual behaviors. Additional three-way interactions examining biological sex as a moderator of the associations between impulsivity and willingness were also conducted. Methods: Participants were young adults (N = 402; mean age 22.44) who participated in a longitudinal survey (baseline and 6-month follow-up) as part of a larger randomized controlled trial. Poisson regressions were conducted for both outcomes. Results: Findings indicate there were significant three-way interactions between willingness, biological sex, and urgency for both outcomes. The interaction between willingness, biological sex, and sensation seeking was also significantly associated with the number of times an individual drank before having sex. Conclusions: Findings indicate tailored interventions may be created for those with high impulsivity levels as well as based on biological sex to decrease risky sexual behaviors before or while driving.