What is Delta-8 THC?

Before we discuss the compound itself, we need to talk about where Delta-8 comes from—hemp. 

Both hemp and marijuana are the same species—cannabis. All hemp is cannabis, and all marijuana is cannabis. Kind of like how all labradors are dogs, and all huskies are dogs. The reverse is not true, however. Not all dogs are labradors, nor are all dogs huskies. Similarly, not all cannabis plants are hemp, and not all of them are marijuana. What distinguishes hemp from marijuana, you may ask?

The federal government answered this question through the 2018 Farm Bill. This document legalized hemp and its derivatives on a federal level, with many state governments following suit. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is cannabis with a 0.3% or lower concentration of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and marijuana is cannabis with any concentration higher than this.

This same principle applies to hemp-derived products (unless you live in one of the states that have banned certain hemp-derived cannabinoids). THC edibles, capsules, and tinctures, for example, are legal if they are made with hemp-derived cannabinoids and contain a 0.3% concentration or lower of Delta-9 THC.

Yes, in some cases. But the truth is that there are two main categories of hemp. There is industrial hemp, which is grown for its fibrous properties, and there is consumable hemp, which is finely cultivated for smell, flavor, taste, and cannabinoid content. 

In the last section, we discussed how the concentration of Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) separates hemp from marijuana. But what is THC?

THC is a family of cannabinoids comprising carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. This group of cannabinoids is known for delivering "active" effects as opposed to cannabidiol (CBD), which offers more "passive" effects.

The various forms of THC offer active effects because of the way they bond to receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS). In short, the ECS is a network of chemical receptors and messengers that help govern vital processes, including: 

When people mention "THC" alone, they usually refer to Delta-9 THC. However, since the emergence of the hemp industry, more and more variants of THC have been discovered and made available for enjoyment. 

Simply put, Delta-8 is similar to Delta-9 THC but it has a chemical bond on its eighth carbon chain instead of its ninth carbon chain. And that's pretty much all the biochemistry you need to know.

But in terms of legality, it gets more interesting. 

Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC is legal, it's a thing, and it's been a thing. As long as it does not consist of more than 0.3% of the product's dry weight, you can buy it in most states, and it can be shipped across state lines. However, for this reason, you will only find hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products in edible form. 

As of this writing, there is no concentration limit for Delta-8 THC on a federal level and in many states. This is why you can find 100mg Delta-8 gummies or even find the cannabinoid i in tinctures, carts, disposables, and other mediums. 

There are many different effects that people associate with consuming Delta-8 THC. Here are just a few of the most common ones: 

Yes, it does. Delta-8 and Delta-9 share many similar properties, but according to a study published in 2022, Delta-8 forms a "weaker" bond to receptors in the ECS compared to Delta-9 THC. 

Well, it’s more complex than that. For example, a person may feel more pronounced effects consuming a 25mg hemp-derived Delta-9 gummy versus a 25mg Delta-8 gummy. However, a product containing a far more significant amount of Detla-8, such as 100mg per piece, will offer more prominent effects than the 25mg Delta-9 gummy. 

So on a milligram-to-milligram basis, it may be true that Delta-8 is milder. However, a Delta-8 product can offer more acute effects than a Delta-9 product if it has more THC content overall. 

All forms of THC are nuanced in both their chemical structures and effects. Some people may find the impact of Delta-8 to better suit their needs than Delta-9. Others may find Delta-8 helpful for one facet of their life and prefer Delta-9 for others. 

So, in short, it's just a "different spin" on Delta-9 that you may like or find better for specific purposes. But in the end, you'll only know if you try it for yourself. 

Unfortunately, we are not at liberty to discuss any potential medicinal benefits of Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol because the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these products. The best course of action before trying products containing Delta-8 is to consult your physician.

However, from an enthusiast's point of view, here are some great qualities Delta-8 can bring to the table:

As mentioned earlier, Delta-8 THC is available in more mediums than hemp-derived Delta-9 THC. So if you feel like you're in an "edible rut" with Delta-9, you can switch things up with Delta-8 tinctures, Delta-8 disposable vapes, Delta-8 capsules, Delta-8 flower, and other items. 

As of this writing, this benefit applies to all hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including Delta-8 THC. But in short, federal legality allows for Delta-8 products to be shipped over state lines to your door directly and offers the option of paying with a credit or debit card. 

Sometimes mixing up mediums isn't enough. If you're constantly going with Delta-9 or even HHC, switching to Delta-8 for a bit (or vice versa) may help keep your experience "fresh."

Where can you find Delta-8 THC? Well...you're already in the right place because we offer plenty of premium hemp-derived cannabis products with Delta-8 THC in our online store. 

However, no matter which Delta-8 product or brand you choose to buy from, make sure you check the product labeling for a QR code to a full-panel certificate of analysis (COA).

Basically, it's a third-party lab report that not only reveals the cannabinoid content of the product but it also has results for any contaminants such as solvents, pesticides, and heavy metals. This is probably the most important factor when purchasing Delta-8 products. 

Rest assured that all of our Delta-8 products are certified by the DEA and undergo full-panel, third-party lab testing for quality and safety. This means that our hemp extraction methods meet the highest industry standards. We proudly offer Certificates of Analysis for every product.

That just about wraps up everything you need to know about Delta-8 on a basic level. If you're new to cannabis, it's basically a hemp-derived cannabinoid that can offer relaxation, relief, and euphoria. And if you're a well-versed enthusiast, it's pretty much just a different THC that may offer you a new and different experience.

And no matter where you purchase your Delta-8, just make sure that the product you buy has been tested for cannabinoid content and safety by checking if it has a COA.

Until next time.