What Is Delta 8 THC, and Why Is It So Popular?

Over the last three years, the US market for hemp-derived cannabinoids like Delta 8 THC has grown by a stunning 1,283%. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Let us explain. 

Key Takeaways

• Delta 8 has a very similar chemical structure to Delta 9 THC, meaning it has similar effects and potential health benefits.
• However, the chemical difference makes Delta 8 a little milder than Delta 9.
• Delta 8 is usually manufactured from CBD, another cannabinoid found in hemp plants.
• The 2018 Farm Bill made hemp, and therefore Delta 8 products, legal at the federal level.
• Almost half of all US states have banned or restricted Delta 8, so make sure to check your local laws before buying.
• Make sure you purchase from a reputable manufacturer. All of our products are tested by a third-party lab for purity and potency. 

See Related: Does CBD Counteract the Effects of THC?

Understanding Delta 8 Tetrahydrocannabinol

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as Delta 8 THC, is one of over 100 cannabinoids that naturally occur in the cannabis plant. 

That plant is scientifically known as the Cannabis sativa plant. You might know it as the source of cannabis and marijuana.

But isn't cannabis federally regulated? If that's the case, how is Delta 8 THC so popular?

Let's investigate.

Where Delta 8 THC Comes From

Delta 8 THC might appear in cannabis plants, but that's not the only place we find it. This compound is also produced by hemp plants.

By law, these hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC by weight. We'll discuss the legal questions later. First, let's examine how that tiny amount of THC is turned into a product with actual intoxicating effects.

Creating Delta 8 THC products requires a little work and some chemistry. 

Theoretically, if you had enough hemp, you could extract enough Delta 8 to make an effective product. However, Delta 8 appears in tiny quantities in hemp plants, so this method would be time-consuming and quite wasteful.

Instead, almost every Delta 8 product you see relies on another cannabinoid. One that's far more abundant in hemp plants. 

Any guesses? That's right: Cannabidiol, or CBD. 

CBD is chemically very similar to Delta 8 THC. Manufacturers extract CBD from hemp, then convert it into Delta 8 THC.

Delta 8's Intoxicating Effects

Unlike CBD, Delta 8 is a psychoactive substance. It can cause a "high," similar to Delta 9 THC.

However, Delta 8 is generally thought to cause a more mild "high." That's why it's sometimes called "diet weed" or "marijuana lite."

Potential Health Benefits

Delta 8 THC is less studied than its cannabinoid companions, like Delta 9 THC and CBD. That means there's less concrete evidence on Delta 8's potential health effects. 

However, we do know that Delta 8 interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, like Delta 9 THC. It interacts with this system a little less strongly than Delta 9, but enough to have effects.

People might use Delta 8 or other cannabinoids to ease pain, reduce anxiety, spark their appetite, and soothe nausea. In other words, Delta 8 seems to have similar potential health benefits to Delta 9.

Potential Side Effects

As you might expect, Delta 8 also seems to have similar side effects as Delta 9. These can include the following:

• Anxiety
• Mental impairment
• Drowsiness
• Changes to heart rate
• Dizziness

Delta 8 vs. Other Cannabinoids

Delta 8 might be similar to other cannabinoids, but even seemingly small differences in chemical structure can lead to major differences in effects.

Delta 8 vs. Delta 9

First, let's compare Delta 8 with its more famous cousin, Delta 9 THC. 

Delta 9 THC is what you probably think of when you hear "THC." It's produced by cannabis plants and is the psychoactive substance that causes marijuana's iconic "high".

Delta 8 and Delta 9 are extremely similar. In fact, the only difference between the two cannabinoids is the placement of a single double bond.

The placement of that double bond is why Delta 9 generally has stronger, more potent effects.

Delta 8 vs. CBD

Delta 8 also has a very similar chemical structure to CBD. That's why CBD can so easily be converted into Delta 8 THC. 

However, unlike Delta 8, CBD is not psychoactive. 

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

Now that we've covered the chemistry, let's take a look at the legal situation.

As you probably know, Delta 9 THC is federally illegal. Plenty of states have legalized it for medical and/or recreational use, but it remains a controlled substance under federal law.

Not so for Delta 8.

Why? After all, Delta 8 and Delta 9 are practically the same.

The answer lies in the 2018 Farm Bill. This landmark legislation legalized hemp at the federal level. Hemp plants and hemp-derived products were officially made legal, as long as they contained less than 0.3% THC by weight.

This opened up a loophole. Manufacturers could grow hemp plants legally, and then use the CBD from those plants to create Delta 8 THC. 

Some people have challenged this, arguing that it's merely a way of getting around the federal ban on THC. But in 2022, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that this process is legal. After all, federal law defines hemp as "any part" of the plant, including anything extracted from it, as long as it has less than 0.3% THC by weight.

Less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by weight, that is.

That means Delta 8 THC is considered a hemp-derived product, and is legal at the federal level.

Local Laws

This doesn't necessarily mean Delta 8 products are legal in your state. 17 states have banned Delta 8 THC, and several more have restricted it. 

Remember to always check your local laws and regulations before purchasing THC products.

Bonus: How to Use CBD Tinctures

Delta 8 THC Products

Despite being made federally legal as recently as 2018, there are already all kinds of products containing Delta 8 THC.

Gummies? Check. Chocolate? You bet. Vape cartridges? Of course. 

Really, your imagination is the limit.

How to Choose the Right Delta 8 Product

Having lots of choice is great, but it can make it difficult to separate the good from the... well, less good.

Because Delta 8 is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), not all products are as high-quality as you might expect. Some have even been found to contain potentially harmful contaminants, sometimes due to chemicals used during the synthesis process. 

For your safety, it's probably best to avoid Delta 8 products in gas stations or convenience stores. Instead, stick with trusted manufacturers who use strictly regulated processes to create their Delta 8 products.

High-Quality Delta 8 Products

Our Delta 8 products, for example, are created using US-grown, high-quality hemp. They're also all tested by a third-party laboratory for purity and potency. You can check this by scanning the QR code on your product, which will show you the certificate of analysis from the lab.

That means you can trust all of our Delta 8 THC products, from our best-selling Delta 8 THC oil to the two delicious flavors of chocolate.

Just remember to take the recommended dose. And enjoy!

Conclusion

Delta 8 is a federally legal alternative to Delta 9 THC. It's generally considered to be a little weaker than Delta 9, but otherwise has similar effects, side effects, and potential health benefits to its more famous cannabinoid cousin.

Keep Reading: Does THC Percentage Really Matter?

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