Displays of dabbing marijuana extracts on YouTube

Melissa J. Krauss; Shaina J. Sowles; Shalinee Mylvaganam; Kidist Zewdie; Laura J. Bierut; Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg

doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.08.020

Displays of dabbing marijuana extracts on YouTube

Melissa J. Krauss, Shaina J. Sowles, Shalinee Mylvaganam, Kidist Zewdie, Laura J. Bierut, Patricia A. Cavazos-Rehg

Health Policy and Management

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Dabbing involves heating marijuana extracts to a high temperature and inhaling the vapor. Little is known about this new method of using marijuana. YouTube, the most popular platform for sharing online videos, may be a go-to resource for individuals interested in learning about dabbing. Our objective was to explore the content of dabbing-related videos on YouTube. Methods: We searched for dabbing-related videos on YouTube using the search terms "dabbing" and "dabs" on January 22, 2015. For each term, videos were sorted by relevance and view count. A sample of 116 dabbing videos were viewed and coded for content. Results: The 116 videos (published by 75 unique channels) had a total of 9,545,482 views. Most (76%) of the channels had a specific focus on marijuana and 23% were located in California. Eighty-nine percent of the videos showed at least one person dabbing, and 61% of these showed someone dabbing repeatedly. Most dabbers were male (67%) and many appeared to be >25 years old (42%). Approximately 34% of the videos contained a product review, 28% provided instructions on dabbing or other educational information, and 21% contained at least a brief cautionary message. Over half (54%) of the videos referenced medical marijuana, and only 20% of the videos had an age-restriction. Conclusions: Dabbing-related videos are easily found and can be readily viewed on YouTube. As marijuana use becomes more accepted by the general population, the popularity of dabbing-related videos could increase, potentially normalizing this potent form of marijuana use.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	5716
Pages (from-to)	45-51
Number of pages	7
Journal	Drug and alcohol dependence
Volume	155
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.08.020
State	Published - Oct 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [grant numbers R01 DA039455 , R01 DA032843 ].

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Keywords

Cannabis
Cannabis extract
Dab
Dabbing
Marijuana smoking
Social media

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10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.08.020

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title = "Displays of dabbing marijuana extracts on YouTube",

abstract = "Background: Dabbing involves heating marijuana extracts to a high temperature and inhaling the vapor. Little is known about this new method of using marijuana. YouTube, the most popular platform for sharing online videos, may be a go-to resource for individuals interested in learning about dabbing. Our objective was to explore the content of dabbing-related videos on YouTube. Methods: We searched for dabbing-related videos on YouTube using the search terms {"}dabbing{"} and {"}dabs{"} on January 22, 2015. For each term, videos were sorted by relevance and view count. A sample of 116 dabbing videos were viewed and coded for content. Results: The 116 videos (published by 75 unique channels) had a total of 9,545,482 views. Most (76%) of the channels had a specific focus on marijuana and 23% were located in California. Eighty-nine percent of the videos showed at least one person dabbing, and 61% of these showed someone dabbing repeatedly. Most dabbers were male (67%) and many appeared to be >25 years old (42%). Approximately 34% of the videos contained a product review, 28% provided instructions on dabbing or other educational information, and 21% contained at least a brief cautionary message. Over half (54%) of the videos referenced medical marijuana, and only 20% of the videos had an age-restriction. Conclusions: Dabbing-related videos are easily found and can be readily viewed on YouTube. As marijuana use becomes more accepted by the general population, the popularity of dabbing-related videos could increase, potentially normalizing this potent form of marijuana use.",

keywords = "Cannabis, Cannabis extract, Dab, Dabbing, Marijuana smoking, Social media",

author = "Krauss, {Melissa J.} and Sowles, {Shaina J.} and Shalinee Mylvaganam and Kidist Zewdie and Bierut, {Laura J.} and Cavazos-Rehg, {Patricia A.}",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [grant numbers R01 DA039455 , R01 DA032843 ]. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.",

year = "2015",

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doi = "10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.08.020",

language = "English (US)",

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AU - Krauss, Melissa J.

AU - Sowles, Shaina J.

AU - Mylvaganam, Shalinee

AU - Zewdie, Kidist

AU - Bierut, Laura J.

AU - Cavazos-Rehg, Patricia A.

PY - 2015/10/1

Y1 - 2015/10/1

N2 - Background: Dabbing involves heating marijuana extracts to a high temperature and inhaling the vapor. Little is known about this new method of using marijuana. YouTube, the most popular platform for sharing online videos, may be a go-to resource for individuals interested in learning about dabbing. Our objective was to explore the content of dabbing-related videos on YouTube. Methods: We searched for dabbing-related videos on YouTube using the search terms "dabbing" and "dabs" on January 22, 2015. For each term, videos were sorted by relevance and view count. A sample of 116 dabbing videos were viewed and coded for content. Results: The 116 videos (published by 75 unique channels) had a total of 9,545,482 views. Most (76%) of the channels had a specific focus on marijuana and 23% were located in California. Eighty-nine percent of the videos showed at least one person dabbing, and 61% of these showed someone dabbing repeatedly. Most dabbers were male (67%) and many appeared to be >25 years old (42%). Approximately 34% of the videos contained a product review, 28% provided instructions on dabbing or other educational information, and 21% contained at least a brief cautionary message. Over half (54%) of the videos referenced medical marijuana, and only 20% of the videos had an age-restriction. Conclusions: Dabbing-related videos are easily found and can be readily viewed on YouTube. As marijuana use becomes more accepted by the general population, the popularity of dabbing-related videos could increase, potentially normalizing this potent form of marijuana use.

AB - Background: Dabbing involves heating marijuana extracts to a high temperature and inhaling the vapor. Little is known about this new method of using marijuana. YouTube, the most popular platform for sharing online videos, may be a go-to resource for individuals interested in learning about dabbing. Our objective was to explore the content of dabbing-related videos on YouTube. Methods: We searched for dabbing-related videos on YouTube using the search terms "dabbing" and "dabs" on January 22, 2015. For each term, videos were sorted by relevance and view count. A sample of 116 dabbing videos were viewed and coded for content. Results: The 116 videos (published by 75 unique channels) had a total of 9,545,482 views. Most (76%) of the channels had a specific focus on marijuana and 23% were located in California. Eighty-nine percent of the videos showed at least one person dabbing, and 61% of these showed someone dabbing repeatedly. Most dabbers were male (67%) and many appeared to be >25 years old (42%). Approximately 34% of the videos contained a product review, 28% provided instructions on dabbing or other educational information, and 21% contained at least a brief cautionary message. Over half (54%) of the videos referenced medical marijuana, and only 20% of the videos had an age-restriction. Conclusions: Dabbing-related videos are easily found and can be readily viewed on YouTube. As marijuana use becomes more accepted by the general population, the popularity of dabbing-related videos could increase, potentially normalizing this potent form of marijuana use.

KW - Cannabis

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ER -

Displays of dabbing marijuana extracts on YouTube

Abstract

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