If you keep up with the latest trends in the cannabis industry then you’ve heard of delta 8, a naturally occurring psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis. In the past, the cannabis industry has focused primarily on the two most prominent cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, delta 9 (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). However, hemp and marijuana plants contain over 100 other cannabinoids, including the cannabis compound delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Delta 8 vs Delta 9
Delta 8 has an almost identical chemical makeup to delta 9, the psychoactive compound we all know as THC. The only difference between the two cannabinoids is a shift of one carbon (delta 8 having a double bond on the 8th carbon while delta 9’s double bond is on the 9th carbon). This small genetic difference makes a significant impact on the federal legality of both compounds, making one illegal and one legal under the 2018 Federal Farm Bill.
With similar psychoactive effects to delta 9, companies are capitalizing on delta 8, the United States' first federally legal high. Cannabis entrepreneurs are already selling delta 8 cartridges, flower, distillates, and edibles in states where hemp possession is legal. With the rise of delta 8's popularity, more and more states are setting boundaries on the psychoactive cannabinoid.
Is Delta 8 legal?
In 2018, the Federal Farm Bill removed hemp from the definition of marijuana. This created a legal distinction between marijuana and hemp plants based on each plant’s delta 9 THC levels. Plants that contain less than 0.3% delta 9 are now defined as federally legal hemp plants. Plants with more than 0.3% delta 9 are now defined as marijuana plants which are still illegal on the federal level.
This new distinction has created a legal loophole for selling delta 8, as long as the cannabinoid is derived from hemp and the product contains less than 0.3% delta 9. However, states are catching on to this cheat code and are creating laws to make the sale of delta 8 illegal. So far, 15 states have banned it and 6 states are pending restrictions. You can check the updated map here: Delta 8 Legality Map
Illegal: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Utah, and Vermont.
Pending: Alabama, Illinois, Michigan, North Dakota, Oregon, and Oklahoma.
Legal: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
If you are wondering if delta 8 shows up on a drug test, the answer is most likely. Drug tests cannot differentiate between delta 8 and delta 9 so it might trigger a positive test.
Will Delta-8 THC get you high?
Yes. Delta 8 is psychoactive and produces a similar high to delta 9. However, people that use delta 8 report that it doesn’t produce the same paranoia and anxiety that you might feel after consuming delta 9. The science on the subject is finite but, users describe a giggly high that leaves you clear-headed, calm, and elevated. Users also report that the cannabinoid has similar medical benefits to delta 9 like pain relief and nausea reduction. If you have a low tolerance or are easily paranoid, the delta 8 high might be perfect for you!
Is Delta 8 safe?
The research on delta 8 is very limited. Until more research is conducted, it is impossible to confirm if the cannabinoid is completely safe for human consumption. However, there is no current evidence showing measurable harm linked to consuming delta 8. It's actually quite the opposite. The National Cancer Institute has noted many medical benefits of using delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol as a nausea, anxiety, and pain reducer in patients. Just keep in mind that the results of using psychoactive cannabinoids vary from person to person.
Where is Delta 8 available?
With so many new delta 8 products being sold, it's important to buy from the best delta 8 brands on the market and avoid sketchy companies at all costs. Delta 8 products can be purchased online, in hemp shops, and other places where CBD is sold. Depending on your consumption preferences, we have highlighted our top pairing choices below!
Delta 8 Cartridges
Delta 8 concentrate cartridges are the most popular method of delta 8 consumption among users. When purchasing your delta 8 oil cartridge, always look for signs of premium quality like clarity and color. In addition, make sure that your product only contains ingredients found naturally in hemp to ensure you aren’t vaping harmful additives. Most delta 8 cartridges are 510 threaded, making them compatible with all 510 threaded vape batteries.
Our bestselling vape battery the Slim Twist is a staple for smoking carts. If you are new to the vape game, this battery is user-friendly, powerful, and discreet. The Slim Twist features a dial on the bottom to change your voltage and built-in auto shut off so your cart is protected against overheating.
If you are an experienced smoker, the Ooze Duplex 2 is an awesome option for smoking pre-filled cartridges. This vape kit also comes with an empty oil cartridge so you can fill it yourself, making it a great option for someone who buys oil in bulk. Plus, you can use the Duplex to smoke delta 8 dabs with the dual quartz wax tank that comes with the kit!
Delta 8 Flower
Hemp growers have created an infusion process that involves spraying hemp nugs with delta 8 distillate because a typical hemp plant only contains a small amount of the cannabinoid. The result is a potent delta 8 flower that offers a euphoric buzz.
Delta 8 infused hemp nugs can be smoked the same way you’d regularly smoke your bud. We suggest using the Ooze Kettle, our classic silicone glass bubbler that’s durable and versatile. This easy-to-clean piece can be used as a bong or dab rig with a flower bowl and quartz banger included. Plus, it features a suction base that secures it to any surface to prevent any accidents.
If you are looking for a great travel smoking piece, we suggest checking out the Ooze Bowser. This 2 in 1 combo piece has a glass chamber that can be removed to make your bowl unbreakable!
Delta 8 Distillate
Delta 8 distillate is extracted from the hemp plant and can be dabbed out of a rig, added to joint, or simply smoked out of a wax pen. When purchasing delta 8 distillate, make sure your product is free of any harmful additives such as bleaching agents.
For those who like to smoke their dabs out of a pen, the Ooze Fusion Vaporizer Kit is a dope choice. This kit includes three different coil styles, so you can experiment and find what option you like best with your concentrates!
If you are looking for a piece that’s compatible with all forms of delta 8, the Mojo is a great option. This hybrid piece can be used as a dab rig, nectar collector, bong, and vape pen adaptor. The possibilities are endless!
Delta 8 Gummies
For those who don’t smoke and have a sweet tooth, delta 8 gummies are perfect for a smoke-free buzz. We suggest keeping some delta 8 gummies in an Ooze Traveler Smell Proof Pouch. This way, you always have them close by!
Takeaway
With all the different ways to catch a delta 8 buzz, it’s easy to see why the hemp-derived cannabinoid is becoming a popular alternative to delta 9. However, states are quickly catching on to the legal loophole. While laws keep changing on the cannabinoid, it's hard to fully understand its future. Time will tell if delta 8 is here to stay or if it will brave the same fate as its illegal older cousin.
