Delta-8 THC is another cannabinoid derived from cannabis plant, which is very similar to delta-9 THC. They have similar chemical structure and act in the same manner, but the delta-8 is less effective than the delta-9. Still, it has become quite popular because of its similarities to the more common compound, mainly because of its legal status. There are, however, still a lot of grey areas surrounding delta-8 THC. This guide will cover all you should know about it.
Effects of Delta-8
Users of delta-8 claim it has the same effect as delta-9, which is the common form of cannabis. The effects include the feeling of being happy, sad, and even serving as a form of pain relief for some. People who have bouts of insomnia have found it helpful in relieving them.
Also, the side effects include the following: dry mouth, redness of the eyes, forgetfulness, paranoia, and panic attacks. There is still room for extensive research as experts have only carried out a limited study on how it affects the mind and the body.
The Legal Status of Delta-8
The legal status of delta-8 is still a bit hazy. Only a few states have laws directly addressing the legal status of delta-8. The preexisting law that covers the subject matter of marijuana use is limited only to certain drugs such as THC, CBD, or CBG.
There have been propositions by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration to classify the compound delta-8 as a controlled substance. This would mean the drug is illegal for use, but it has not been passed into law.
Another gray area is the fact that you can get delta-8 from hemp and not cannabis. This means that it is not banned in states where cannabis is banned. It is important to note that most of the delta-8 in the current market takes root from hemp, which is legal, which indirectly means that the delta-8 is legal in states where hemp is legal.
Note that once a plant has a content of THC higher than 0.3, it can be considered as cannabis. One should not confuse this with hemp, which has less than 0.3 THC.
Is Delta-8 Safe for Use?
One of the major risks in the use of delta-8 is the fact that it mostly comes from uncertified labs. No one licenses these labs for the production of such materials, which leads to people finding various forms of delta-8 on the market which can be dangerous for users.
One of the most common delta-8 products is vape cartridges. In 2019, when a vitamin E acetate contaminated the vape oil, numerous people were hospitalized while the deaths caused by the contamination numbered over 50. Nowdays, once you make purchases outside the legal markets, you put yourself at the same risk. You should buy delta-8 only from reliable sellers, such as D8 Gas, for example.
How Is It Made?
It is important to know how it is made because it will give you an insight into what goes into your body. You can find it in small amounts in plants like cannabis and hemp. Hemp is the go-to source as it is legal to grow in the United States.
Growers extract the CBD from the hemp plant and make it into an isolate. Then, they process the isolate into what we know as delta-8. This is the reason why the delta-8 is costlier – because it requires some more processes than the basic CBD. However, high demand over time reduces the cost of production.
Delta-8 against the CBD
Despite being made from cannabidiol, it is interesting to note that delta-8 is more similar to THC than CBD. You can see it in the compound structure, and the effects it has on the body. The delta-8 readily binds to the endocannabinoid system in the body, unlike the CBD, which makes the last one less intoxicating.
It is important to note that CBD offers medical value to the consumer, gives relief from various symptoms, but does not get you high. If you want to get the same feeling you get when you use the delta-9, then you should go for the delta-8.