Testing Warning Labels for Retail Cannabis Products Using a Discrete Choice Experiment

NCT07701304 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: 172761K01DA057395-01A1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 450
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This discrete choice experiment (DCE) study aims to address gaps in cannabis packaging regulatory research by testing how variations in cannabis packaging and health warning design impact reactions to packaging and intentions about cannabis use. The goal of this work is to identify the most effective combination of health warning features to improve consumer awareness of cannabis health risks. Establishing criteria for cannabis products in the US is critical because inconsistent state guidelines have resulted in contradictory policies in legal retail states, arguably leading to increased hazardous use and failure to meet public health standards. The contributions of this study's outcomes are expected to be significant because they will benefit public health as cannabis becomes available in legal retail markets and regulatory and governmental agencies seek effective ways to communicate cannabis risks to the public.

Conditions

Cannabis Use; Risk Perception; Decision Making

Keywords

Cannabis warning labels; Discrete choice experiment; Risk perception; Cannabis use; Health communication

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Risk perceptions about cannabis products

  Binary measure using best-worst scaling. For each question, participants will also have the option of indicating none of the above/opt-out as a response. For each choice set, the statement selected as the best option will be coded using a value of 1, and the worst will be coded as -1. The remaining statements in that set will be coded as 0. If the participant selects none of the above, all statements in that choice set will be assigned a value of 0.

  At the time of survey completion (approximately 15 minutes)

• Cannabis product use intentions

  Binary measure using best-worst scaling. For each question, participants will also have the option of indicating none of the above/opt-out as a response. For each choice set, the statement selected as the best option will be coded using a value of 1, and the worst will be coded as -1. The remaining statements in that set will be coded as 0. If the participant selects none of the above, all statements in that choice set will be assigned a value of 0.

  At the time of survey completion (approximately 15 minutes)

Study Arms (1)

Discrete choice experiment (DCE) cohort

EXPERIMENTAL

Adult participants (21+) enrolled in this single-arm cohort will complete a computer-based discrete choice experiment during a single study visit (conducted online). They will review a series of hypothetical cannabis products and select their preferred options.

Behavioral: Discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey-experiment

Interventions

Discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey-experiment BEHAVIORAL

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) consisting of 16 distinct choice sets. Each choice set presents combinations of the following attributes: 1) Cannabis package style: 1) "Standardized" plain package, 2) plain package with brand logo and fonts, 3) brand color background with brand logo and fonts, and 4) fully branded with brand imagery, brand logo, and brand descriptors and fonts. Branding type: 1) Adventure brand vs. 2) Earthy brand. Health warning size: 1) Small (20% of packaging surface) - health warnings use currently mandated warning language from multiple jurisdictions vs. 2) Large (40% of packaging surface) - health warnings use currently mandated warning language from multiple jurisdictions. Product THC content: 1) Low THC vs. 2) High THC. Product type: 1) Joints, 2) Vape, 3) Edibles, and 4) Drinks. Participants will rate all combinations of product attributes.

Discrete choice experiment (DCE) cohort

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Eligibility for participation includes: 1) being 21 years of age or older, 2) being able to speak and understand English, 3) self-reported having consumed cannabis in the last 30 days (any mode, e.g., flower, vape, edible, etc.), and 4) residing in a U.S. state or jurisdiction where retail (i.e., non-medical) cannabis use is legal.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Oklahoma: lead
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of OKlahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73104, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Interventions

delta 24-sterol reductase

Study Officials

• Zachary Massey, PhD

  University of Oklahoma

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Zachary Massey, PhD

CONTACT

405-271-6872; Zachary-Massey@ou.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 7, 2026
• First Posted: July 14, 2026
• Study Start: May 19, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Locations

US (1)