It’s become a hot topic and you’re starting to see it everywhere, reminiscent of the days of the hemp CBD Wild West explosion to the market.
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol is one of hundreds of cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant. It is an isomer of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the compound commonly known as THC. When Delta-8 THC is decarboxylated (heated) it converts to Delta-9 THC which makes it psychoactive.
Delta-8 THC has antiemetic, anxiolytic, orexigenic, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties. That means it can help relieve anxiety, nausea, stimulate appetite, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation.
Delta-9 THC is still illegal under federal law and the FDA and USDA have issued little comment or guidance on Delta-8 THC products, making it a gray area to operate in. The loophole being used to produce Delta-8 THC is by extracting it from hemp plants and isolating the compound.
Delta-8 THC is also found in the cannabis plant, though it’s not quite as powerful or as well-known. Delta-8 THC is milder in its psychoactive effects. And, it’s not technically illegal under current law.
Delta-8 THC can cause feelings of euphoria, relaxation, pain relief and may increase creativity. It basically gets you high, just not as high as Delta-9 THC.
The real question: Is it safe? It’s a great question with no straight answer. Due to the fact Delta-8 THC is largely unregulated, guidelines and rules do not exist for those producing Delta-8 smokeable flower, vape carts or edibles.
Further food for thought, if it was something that became regulated or illegal, it would be contradictory for the government to say that one part of the plant is illegal, yet the government owns the patent for CBD.
B. Le Grand
