A Quick Overview of Delta 8 THC | Titan Botanicals

Have you ever heard of Delta 8 THC? The cannabinoid has recently received a lot of attention, with some considering it a better version of THC. It's starting to appear in stores and online retailers as the buzz grows, and it's quickly taken off. Even during the pandemic, sales have climbed rapidly in recent years.

You're not alone if you've heard about Delta 8 or seen it mentioned on the Internet and have no idea what it is. It might be difficult to separate the quality products from the snake oil when there is such a wide choice of cannabis items available. That's especially true when dealing with a compound like Delta 8, which is so fresh to the market and whose legality is in dispute.

We'll explain how delta 8 THC fits into the world of cannabis and CBD in this blog, including how it works, whether it's legal, and whether you should use it.

What is Delta 8 THC, and how does it differ from other types of THC?

Simply said, it's a cannabis compound (or cannabinoid), which includes CBD, CBG, and THC. The National Cancer Institute refers to it as a "tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) analogue," implying that THC and delta 8 THC are nearly identical in most ways. THC stands for delta-9 THC and is a common abbreviation for it.

Delta 8 is found naturally in cannabis, but only in trace amounts. The majority of delta 8 THC products on shop shelves and online are created in a lab by extracting CBD isolate from cannabis and then synthesizing it into delta 8 THC.

The Consumption of Delta 8

Delta 8 THC, like CBD and THC, is widely available as tinctures, candies, or vape cartridges. It's difficult to grow cannabis with large levels of delta-8 because it occurs naturally in such little amounts. The majority of flower products on the market are manufactured by mixing a delta 8 distillate with CBD flower, however a handful claim to be grown from strains with naturally high levels of delta-8 (which we wouldn't trust at the time). Delta-8 is currently less expensive than THC, which contributes to its growing popularity.

THC (delta 8) vs. THC (delta 9): what's the difference?

THC is commonly referred to as Delta-9. It's the part of the plant that makes you feel high. (As a reminder, THC levels in CBD products are 0.3 percent or less.) That's a pittance.)

Delta-8 and delta-9 are nearly identical in terms of chemical composition. Both have carbon-carbon double bonds in their chemical chains and have the same formula. The distinction is that delta-8 bonds are found on the eighth carbon chain, whereas delta-9 bonds are found on the ninth, thus the name.

This minor structural change has far-reaching ramifications. For starters, delta 8 THC is more stable, which means it will last longer. The other significant distinction is that delta 8 has a different, milder effect when ingested. "This agent has a lesser psychotropic potency than delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC)," according to the National Cancer Institute.

The Functions of Delta 8

Consider delta 8 THC to be a milder variation of delta-9. Although both cannabinoids bind to the CB1 receptor, their effects are slightly different due to their distinct architectures.

It will get you high, giving you sensations of exhilaration and relief, but not in the way that marijuana does. Consumers report that it has a smoother, gentler impact than THC, and that it makes them feel more clear-headed. THC users who experience anxiety or paranoia may find delta-8 to be more enjoyable. However, this differs from individual to individual. Others claim it doesn't make them feel high in the traditional sense.

Is Delta-8 the Right Choice for You?

That is purely a matter of personal taste. It could be a suitable choice for you if you find THC's high too powerful and are prone to anxiety. There's no danger in giving it a shot; delta-8 is a perfectly safe chemical molecule.

But don't think of delta-8 as a CBD substitute. It does not provide the same level of evidence-based advantages. We'll go through why this is the case in more depth further down.

Is Delta-8 THC a legal substance?

That is the key question right now. Unfortunately, it's a difficult situation. Delta-8 is currently in a legal limbo, with two documents from separate administrative organizations within the federal government appearing to contradict one another.

The first is the 2018 Farm Bill, which made all cannabinoids generated from hemp, including CBD, legal. The majority of individuals believe that delta-8 is included in the statute as worded. As a result, firms have started to create a variety of products containing THC, even in regions where it is banned.

The issue is that the Farm Bill was only designed to legalize cannabinoids with no psychoactive effects. This is where the second document, from the Drug Enforcement Administration, comes into play (DEA). The DEA issued an Interim Final Rule in August 2020, outlining how the Farm Bill will be implemented. The interim final rule contained anti-hemp and anti-marijuana sentiments. "All synthetically produced tetrahydrocannabinols remain schedule I controlled substances," the statement adds in reference to delta-8.