"Well, if they exist, I ignore them": A focus group study of recall and reactions to cannabis health warnings by cannabis consumers in the United States.

Objective: This study used qualitative focus groups to examine how cannabis consumers in the United States (U.S.) recalled health warnings on products they used and reacted to hypothetical cannabis health warnings. Methods: We conducted 12 focus groups (February-March 2025) with 77 cannabis consumers (≥ 21, used cannabis in the past 30 days, and lived in a U.S. state where recreational cannabis use was legal). Participants (aged 22-68; Median = 42.0, Interquartile range = 22.0) described health warnings on cannabis products they used before providing reactions to hypothetical cannabis health warnings. Results: Participants reported being unaware of or choosing to ignore health warnings on cannabis products they used. When presented with hypothetical cannabis health warnings, many participants expressed disbelief about the accuracy of the health claims. Personal experience with cannabis harms was cited as a reason for believing or disbelieving the warnings. To improve warning effectiveness, participants requested sources be cited to support health claims and suggested using direct language and enhanced visuals. Conclusions: Cannabis consumers mostly reported not noticing current cannabis health warnings and discredited warnings they did notice. Results suggest cannabis consumers require more evidence supporting claims in health warnings, more explicit statements of harms, and inclusion of visual cues to reinforce harms.