CDC's New Marijuana Use Question Could Shift How Hemp-Derived CBD/THC Shoppers Are Counted

August 27, 2026 By Sy. O

CDC's New Marijuana Use Question Could Shift How Hemp-Derived CBD/THC Shoppers Are Counted

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is poised to include a new question in its 2028 National Health Interview Survey that asks respondents how often they use marijuana-daily, most days, some days, or not at all-and explicitly tells them not to include "CBD-only products." Those who use marijuana at least some days will then be asked whether their use is for medical reasons or recreational purposes. This change aims to separate medical and non-medical use of marijuana, but it also raises important implications for hemp-derived CBD/THC shoppers and how their behavior gets captured in national data.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

Survey Redesign Signals Consumer Behavior Nuance-But Also Confusion

The new survey design shifts the narrative around cannabis consumption by distinguishing marijuana from hemp-derived products. In prior survey versions, questions lumped together marijuana and CBD use-such as inquiries about products used for sleep-blurring distinctions that matter to both industry watchers and shoppers. Now, by excluding CBD-only products from the marijuana question, the CDC underscores that CBD use is widespread and deserves its own lens.

However, earlier cognitive testing found that respondents often struggled to categorize products like delta-8 THC. Some users classify delta-8 as hemp-derived and include it under CBD, while others see it as psychoactive and aligned with marijuana. That inconsistency could skew results and leave hemp-derived shoppers underrepresented or misclassified in future data.

What This Means for Hemp-Derived CBD/THC Market Insight

Under-counting of hemp-derived use: If delta-8 or similar psychoactive hemp products are excluded from the marijuana question, their prevalence may be under-reported.
Medical vs recreational clarity: The follow-up asking for reason behind marijuana use helps distinguish medical use-but only for respondents who answer the marijuana question, not those using hemp products.
Data fragmentation: Hemp-derived shoppers may now fall into a separate, less visible category, complicating efforts to track trends across CBD and THC product categories.

Why Hemp-Derived Brands and Retailers Should Care

For brands, retailers, and market analysts, this survey tweak could reshape how consumer segments are defined and understood. If hemp-derived users are systematically excluded from marijuana data, brands may need to rely more on proprietary data or alternative sources to understand usage patterns. Retailers might also find their customer base under-represented in national reports, affecting marketing strategies and inventory planning.

At the same time, the exclusion of hemp-only products may prompt clearer messaging and education around the differences between hemp-derived CBD/THC and traditional marijuana-both in marketing and on labels.

How This Could Affect Shopper Behavior and Perception

When surveys differentiate between marijuana and hemp-derived products, shoppers may become more aware of those distinctions. That awareness could influence purchasing decisions, with some seeking products that are clearly labeled as hemp-derived or non-psychoactive. Conversely, confusion around terminology-especially with products like delta-8-could drive shoppers to seek clearer guidance or rely on trusted brands for clarity.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will hemp-derived CBD users be asked why they use CBD under the new survey?: No. The new follow-up question about medical vs recreational use only applies to those who answer the marijuana question, which excludes CBD-only products.
Q: Could delta-8 THC users be misclassified?: Yes. Some delta-8 users may exclude their use from the marijuana category due to its hemp origin, while others may include it for its psychoactive nature-leading to inconsistent data capture.
Q: How might retailers adapt to these survey changes?: Retailers may lean more heavily on their own sales and customer data to track hemp-derived product trends, since national survey data may under-represent those markets.
Q: Will this change improve public understanding of CBD vs marijuana?: Potentially. By explicitly separating CBD-only products from marijuana use, the survey may encourage clearer consumer education and labeling practices.

Looking Ahead

As the CDC moves toward implementing this redesigned survey in 2028, stakeholders in the hemp-derived CBD/THC ecosystem should monitor how use categories evolve. Clear consumer communication, precise product labeling, and robust internal tracking will become even more valuable in a landscape where national data may no longer fully reflect hemp-derived shopper behavior.