What Is Delta-8-THC?

Alejandro Aguilar
June 28, 2023
Jointly Better - FacebookJointly Better - TwitterJointly Better - Instagram
Article image

Have you heard of Delta-8-THC?

Delta-8-THC is the hot new psychoactive cannabinoid that can be widely bought at gas stations and headshops across the country—including in states that do not have recreational marijuana laws.

The popularity of Delta-8-THC has exploded in recent years, fueled by the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. At present you can buy Delta-8-THC vape cartridges, delta 8 gummies, and tinctures. You may be wondering how a product that gets you high can be legally sold in states without recreational marijuana laws.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp as long as it contains less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC. This new law allowed the CBD industry to massively expand and created a legal loophole that allowed people to legally produce and sell a variety of new cannabis-derived products.

Delta-8-THC versus delta-9-THC

Delta-8-THC was first synthesized from CBD in 1941 by Roger Adams and his colleagues at University of Illinois. Delta-8-THC is an isomer of Delta-9-THC, meaning it has the same chemical formula, but has a carbon-carbon double bond in a different position. This structural difference increases the isomer's chemical stability in comparison to Delta-9-THC, allowing it to resist oxidation to cannabinol (CBN). This difference means that Delta 8 products have greater shelf stability than Delta-9-THC products. So, how potent is it in comparison to Delta-9-THC? A study from 1973 compared the potency and found that Delta-8 has a 2:3 relative potency to Delta-9-THC. The less potent isomer is an agonist of CB1 and CB2 receptors, similarly to Delta-9-THC, and thus produces a range of cannabis-like effects. This THC isomer has been found to be an effective appetite stimulator, antiemetic, anxiety reducer, and pain reliever.

What does delta-8-THC feel like?

This slightly less potent THC isomer is widely thought to produce a mild high with less anxiety than Delta-9-THC. People describe Delta-8-THC as producing a mellow body high without paranoia. For people who experience anxiety from cannabis, Delta-8-THC could be a more enjoyable alternative.

Is delta 8 legal?

While several states have passed laws banning Delta-8-THC products, this THC isomer is widely considered to be federally legal. In reality, it exists in more of a legal grey area. In October of 2020, the DEA released its Interim Final Rule (IRF), which stated that “synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain schedule I controlled substances.” Delta-8 is found naturally in cannabis, but only in very small quantities.

As a result, the majority of producers synthesize it from CBD. This situation creates a “complicated legal minefield.” Jonathon Miller, a lawyer for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable and U.S. Hemp Authority said, “We’re alarmed by the rise of products marketing themselves as hemp and as intoxicating. These products might be legal now, but we believe they go against the spirit of the law.” While the legality may change in the near future, as of early 2021, the Delta-8 industry is one of the fastest growing segments of the hemp and cannabis industry.

Find top-rated products for your goals 

Jointly is a cannabis discovery app that makes it easy to find and match with the best cannabis and CBD products for your goals. Your matches are calculated from the real product ratings and experiences of hundreds of thousands of people using the Jointly app.

If you're ready to discover new products and reach your goals, download the Jointly app today on the App Store or Google Play, or explore your matches on the Jointly website.   

Are you curious about Jointly?

Whether you want to improve sleep, relieve daily stress, or just relax and refresh, Jointly can help you reach your goals with cannabis.  

With Jointly, match with top-rated products, and build lists of your favorites to save, share, and bring to your local dispensary to help guide your shopping experience.  

Jointly also helps you track your cannabis experiences through reflections that help you understand what’s working, and what’s not. In fact, the quality of your diet, how much you slept, who you’re with, and the time of day are just some of the factors that can impact your experiences.  

So if you're ready to enjoy your perfect cannabis experience, download the Jointly app today on the App Store or Google Play, or explore your matches on the Jointly website. Discovery awaits.

Jointly Better - FacebookJointly Better - TwitterJointly Better - Instagram
Article author image
Alejandro Aguilar

View Alejandro Aguilar's articles

You might also like