Is Delta-9 Considered “Synthetic Cannabis”?

Delta-9 THC is a powerful, all-natural cannabinoid packed with potential health benefits, from mind-altering euphoria to deep relaxation. In this blog, we explain the differences between Delta-9 and synthetic alternatives to better help you on your natural wellness journey.

Key Takeaways

• Delta-9 THC is one of many cannabinoids naturally produced by Cannabis sativa plants.
• Unlike many of these cannabinoids, Delta-9 THC has psychoactive effects and is responsible for marijuana's famous high.
• Other psychoactive cannabinoids include Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC.
• Because many of these cannabinoids are similar, it's possible to convert one to another.
• Manufacturers often extract CBD from hemp and convert it to Delta-9 THC. 
• Synthetic cannabinoids include hundreds of artificial chemicals with no relation to Delta-9 THC, which may cause similar effects but with potential adverse side effects.

See Related: THCa vs Delta 9: Your Ultimate Guide to the Differences

What Is Delta-9 THC?

Delta-9 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the most abundant cannabinoids present in the Cannabis sativa plant. You've likely heard of this compound as just "THC." Its psychoactive effects are what cause marijuana's classic high.

The "Delta 9" epithet is used to distinguish Delta-9 THC from other very similar forms of THC, such as Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC. But the term "THC" by itself is often used to describe just Delta-9 THC. These are also naturally occurring cannabinoids with psychoactive effects. However, cannabis plants typically produce far less of them than Delta-9 THC.

Understanding Synthetic Cannabinoids

Cannabis has been used by humans for thousands of years. But Delta-9 THC was only isolated in the 1960s.

About thirty years later, scientists finally discovered how cannabinoids actually cause their effects: the endocannabinoid system. This complex system contains various receptors, which are activated by cannabinoids. It interacts with many important bodily functions, such as memory and the immune system. 

Our bodies (and those of many animals) naturally produce unique cannabinoids, which are used to control this system. 

However, naturally occurring cannabinoids, like Delta-9 THC, can also interact with the cannabinoid receptors in the endocannabinoid system. That's why THC makes people high, why CBD may help promote relaxation, and so on.

In theory, any molecule that is able to fit in a cannabinoid receptor could trigger it. By the 1980s, scientists were successfully creating synthetic cannabinoids that did exactly that.

The first synthetic cannabinoid was called "HU-210." Its chemical structure was very similar to THC. 

Since then, hundreds of synthetic cannabinoids have been created. Many of them are completely unrelated to THC. 

One of the most well-known examples is called JWH-018. It's part of a group of compounds called aminoalkylindoles, and is roughly three times as strong as THC.

But why go through all the effort of creating these synthetic versions of a compound that occurs naturally? 

Well, in some parts of the world, THC products are illegal. However, in many places, these synthetic forms were technically legal and were therefore sold as legal alternatives to a banned product. (New laws have since made many synthetic cannabinoids illegal, at least in the US.)

Also, many synthetic cannabinoids are far easier and cheaper to make than "classical" cannabinoids. 

Potential Risks

However, synthetic cannabinoids come with significant downsides. The market isn't well regulated (or, in some places, regulated at all). That means products are often sold without undergoing testing.

That means the concentration of chemicals in a single product might vary widely. Users often don't know which synthetic cannabinoids they are receiving, or exactly how much is in each product, or whether their product also contains other potentially toxic chemicals.

Many synthetic cannabinoids can cause serious side effects. At best, they may simply cause different effects than natural THC; at worst, as the FDA warns, they can pose severe health risks.

Bonus: How Long Do Delta 9 Gummies Last?

Synthetic THC vs. Hemp-Derived THC

Synthetic cannabinoid products are very different from hemp-derived CBD and THC products. Hemp-derived products are generally natural, federally legal, and safe.

2018 Farm Bill

In 2018, the federal government legalized hemp. Hemp plants are defined as cannabis plants that have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Under federal law, that 0.3% limit applies to products derived from hemp plants, too.

Also, many other cannabinoids are very structurally similar to Delta-9 THC. That similarity makes it fairly easy to convert one cannabinoid to another. Manufacturers often convert CBD to Delta-9 THC, for example. 

Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC Products

All this has allowed hemp-derived products to explode in popularity. All kinds of products are available, from juicy, Delta 9 THC gummies to relaxing yet delightful THC-infused chocolates.

Delta 8 THC

Delta-9 THC is far from the only version of THC used in hemp-derived products. Delta-8 THC is another increasingly popular example.

Delta-8 THC is one of the many cannabinoids found in hemp plants. However, it's usually produced in very small quantities, at least compared to other cannabinoids like CBD. 

Manufacturers can produce Delta-8 THC from hemp in the same way as Delta-9 THC. 

Delta-8 THC has roughly the same effects as Delta-9 THC. The two cannabinoids have different potencies, though. Delta-8 is generally considered milder. 

That makes Delta-8 THC attractive to many people. As with Delta-9 THC, there are many different Delta-8 THC products, from edibles like gummies and chocolates to tinctures and oils.

Safety and Quality

As we mentioned, many synthetic substances are completely untested. New waves appear every year, making it increasingly difficult to know what is being consumed and what symptoms people should expect. 

Meanwhile, reputable manufacturers of natural cannabinoid products submit their products for testing by third-party laboratories. We attach a QR code to every product, which allows you to see the certificate of analysis that verifies the results of that product's testing. 

Conclusion

Delta-9 THC is one of many cannabinoids naturally produced by the Cannabis sativa plant. It's the compound responsible for causing marijuana's classic high, and research suggests it may have various potential health benefits.

Delta-9 THC might be one of the most abundant (and famous) cannabinoids, but it's far from the only one. Because many of these cannabinoids are so similar, one can be converted to another with relative ease. 

That allows manufacturers to produce natural THC products from hemp plants, either by concentrating the small amounts of THC present in the plants or converting the CBD naturally found in those plants to the desired form of THC. 

These natural production processes are quite different from the process of making synthetic cannabis products. The main difference between synthetic marijuana and naturally derived THC is that synthetic forms are often completely unrelated to THC in any way. 

Keep Reading: Do CBD Gummies Have THC in Them?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Delta 9 Natural Or Synthetic?

Delta-9 is natural. It is produced by the Cannabis sativa plant. In places where recreational marijuana is legal, Delta-9 THC is often harvested directly from cannabis plants.

However, in many places in the US, marijuana is illegal but hemp is legal. Under federal law, hemp may contain up to 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. 

That's where the confusion comes in. In order to produce hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products, manufacturers either need to extract a lot of hemp or convert other natural cannabinoids (usually CBD) to Delta-9 THC.

Does Delta 9 Show Up In a Urine Test?

Yes. Urine tests generally don't distinguish between different forms of THC. Plus, Delta-9 THC is the natural compound responsible for marijuana's high, so it is usually exactly what the test is looking for.

Urine tests can often detect Delta-9 THC for a few days after use. However, heavy use of Delta-9 THC can cause that time frame to extend to multiple weeks or potentially more. 

Is THCa the Same as Delta 9?

No. THCa and Delta-9 are very similar, but aren't the same.

THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. In isolation, it does not cause psychoactive effects.

However, when THCa is exposed to heat, it undergoes a chemical reaction that converts it to THC. It can then cause psychoactive effects.

That simple reaction makes THCa flower a popular choice. It's considered legal under federal law, as it doesn't contain too much Delta-9 THC. But all that's needed to unlock the THC is a little heat. 

You can get different strains of THCa flower: indica, sativa, or a hybrid. 

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