Friday, February 18, 2022

What You Need to Know About Delta-8 THC (THC)

 Tobacco and hemp contain delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant but in small amounts. So hemp-derived cannabidiol is often used to create concentrated delta-8 THC (CBD).

Not approved for use in any situation by the FDA. They could be harmful to people's health if marketed improperly, so keep them away from children and pets.

Here are five things you should know about delta-8 THC to protect yourself and those you love:

1. The FDA has not evaluated or approved Delta-8 THC products for safe use, and they may be marketed in ways that endanger public health.

The FDA is aware of the growing public outcry over online delta-8 THC products. The FDA has not evaluated or approved these products for any situation. Variability in product formulations and labeling, as well as cannabinoid and terpene content, raises concerns. These products may also be labeled as "hemp products," confusing consumers who associate "hemp" with "non-psychoactive." Also of concern to the FDA is the proliferation of products containing delta-8 THC that are marketed as therapeutic or medical. Selling unapproved products with unsubstantiated therapeutic claims is not only illegal but also puts consumers at risk. Patients and other consumers may use unproven treatments instead of approved therapies to treat serious and even fatal diseases.

2. The FDA has received complaints about delta-8 THC products.

Between December 2020 and July 2021, the FDA received 22 adverse event reports describing 22 patients who consumed delta-8 THC products; 14 of these patients sought treatment at a hospital or emergency room. Nineteen of twenty-two patients had negative reactions to delta-8 THC-containing foods (e.g., brownies, gummies). Vomiting, hallucinations, difficulty standing, and loss of consciousness were symptoms.

Between January 2018 and July 31, 2021, 661 delta-8 THC exposure cases were reported to national poison control centers, 660 between January 1 and July 31, 2021. Among the 661 exposures were:

Unintentional exposure to delta-8 THC was found in 41% of cases, with 77% of those being children under the age of 18.

Three-fourths of the cases involved children under the age of 18, and 18 percent of them required hospitalization, including some in the intensive care unit (ICU).

3. Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive drug.

Like delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC is psychoactive and intoxicating (the component that causes people to get "high" when they use cannabis). The FDA is aware of media reports linking delta-8 THC products to "highs." The FDA is also concerned that delta-8 THC products expose consumers to levels higher than those found in raw hemp cannabis extracts. As a result, human safety cannot be determined based on prior cannabis use.

4. Many delta-8 THC products on the market use potentially harmful chemicals to achieve their claimed concentrations.

Because hemp naturally contains very little delta-8 THC, additional chemicals are required to convert other cannabinoids, like CBD, into delta-8 THC (i.e., synthetic conversion). Among the issues with this procedure are:

Some manufacturers use potentially hazardous household chemicals to make delta-8 THC. The final product's color may be altered by additional chemicals. The final delta-8 THC product may contain potentially harmful by-products (contaminants) from the chemicals used in the process, and the composition of the starting raw material is unknown. These chemicals, including those used to make delta-8 THC and its by-products, can be harmful if consumed or inhaled.

Delta-8 THC products may be produced in uncontrolled or unsanitary conditions, resulting in contaminants.

5. Keep Delta-8 THC out of reach of children and pets.

These products are packaged and labeled to appeal to children (gummies, chocolates, cookies, candies, etc.). These products are available online and at a variety of retailers, including convenience stores and gas stations. As previously stated, there have been numerous pediatric poison control center alerts involving delta 8 products. Moreover, animal poison control centers report an increase in the number of pets accidentally exposed to these products. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Why is the FDA warning about delta-8 THC?

The FDA decided to make this information available to consumers for various reasons. Some of the elements are:

  • The number of reports to the FDA and poison control centers has increased.

  • Marketing to children, including online marketing.

  • Concerns about contamination from manufacturing processes that produce marketed delta-8 products.

As a result of these concerns, the FDA is actively monitoring the market for complaints, adverse events, and other emerging cannabis-derived products of concern. When FDA-regulated products break the law, the FDA warns consumers.


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