What is Delta 8 THC and is it Legal?

 

Many people are starting to hear about the latest cannabinoid trend – delta 8 THC. Believe it or not, scientists have known about delta 8 THC since the 1970s. Leo E. Hollister M.D. and H. K. Gillespie B.A. wrote about the effects of delta 8 THC in humans in their 1973 paper, “Delta-8″ and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; Comparison in Man by Oral and Intravenous Administration.”

They write and explain that delta-8 THC has similar but slightly less potent effects than delta-9 THC, which is the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis (with trace amounts in hemp):

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has activity in man similar to that of its double bond isomer, delta-9-THC. Its potency relative to the other isomer, as judged after oral and intravenous administration, is 2:3.

“Delta-8 and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol; Comparison in man by oral and intravenous administration”.

 

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What should consumers know about Delta 8 THC?
There are some basic things consumers should know about DELTA 8 THC, but they should also be aware of what is not known about delta 8 THC. The cannabinoid is not well studied, especially in humans, and is being marketed as a new cure-all that will also get you high. As the saying goes, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.

Overview of Delta 8 THC
Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive intoxicant that can
The effects of THC delta 8 THC are believed to be similar to the effects of CBD and THC
It is primarily of interest as an alternative to delta 9 THC for use in seriously ill people who have not responded to conventional treatments and for eye conditions
Use of THC from Delta 8 may result in drug test failure
There are delta 8 THC side effects similar to CBD side effects and THC side effects
THC cannabinoid delta 8 is unregulated and has no proven medicinal benefits
A lagoon has allowed delta 8 THC to be manufactured from CBD; The DEA recently ruled to close this loophole, but manufacturers are suing to keep this high-risk, high-reward product on the market.
Beware of hemp flower that has been sprayed with cannabinoids to improve potency
Delta 8 THC has been associated with cases of lung injury from THC vaping, although the damage was largely attributed to the use of vitamin E as a thinning agent
CBD does not naturally convert to delta 8 THC
What are the effects of Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC has slightly less potent psychoactive effects than delta 9 THC. It is also believed to have the ability to relieve anxiety and inflammation (like many other cannabinoids). To be clear, delta 8 THC will get you high, is not regulated when sourced from hemp or CBD, has no validated medicinal effects, and is synthesised in a lab through multiple chemical processes.

The only reason it is currently available on the market is because of a legal loophole that is being exploited. The most likely reason for producing and marketing delta 8 THC is likely to be linked to the oversupply of CBD that is not selling well because demand has fallen.

On 21 August 2020, the DEA proposed rules to clarify that Delta 8 THC converted from CBD is a controlled substance. The ruling is being challenged by the CBD industry, so time will tell if this obviously psychoactive substance will be federally restricted like all other forms of THC above 0.3%.

Personal Perspectives on the THC effects of Delta 8
As a cannabis writer, regulatory consultant, and scientist, I have used delta 8 THC, in the form of fresh delta 8 THC extract from a lab trial. It was very unremarkable to me as a very experienced cannabis user. The quality of the effects was not as good as using a normal THC product or normal CBD product.

None of these products (delta-8, delta-9 and CBD) are regulated or approved for medical use, so using them is a risk to one degree or another. The idea of making DELTA 8 THC available to the public seems to me personally dangerous and irresponsible. I am extremely sceptical of delta 8 THC products, and I hope other consumers are too.

If I were asked if delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol was worth a try, I would say unequivocally “No”.

Jane’s cbd vape cartridges are in stock now and will not cause questionable psychoactive effects like delta-8-THC cartridges!
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
Delta 8 THC use results in intoxication, so how is it legal for people to sell online? To be clear, delta 8 THC marijuana is a controlled substance and is federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act (21 USC – 802(16)(B)). However, manufacturers have found a loophole because the term “marijuana” does not include hemp. The DEA clarified that delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol in any non-natural form is a Schedule I drug, but is now facing challenges from the CBD industry.

Delta 8 THC cannot be found in significant quantities in hemp, but CBD extracted from hemp can be chemically converted to delta 8 THC very easily and cheaply. With market interest in CBD waning, this new product falls somewhere between legal hemp and CBD, illegal cannabis, and shady synthetic marijuana products.

Will Plain Jane carry Delta 8 THC?
No, Plain Jane has no plans to carry delta 8 THC. Our mission is not to help people get high and we are not fighting to sell our cbd and hemp products. Plain Jane’s mission is to make affordable, high quality CBD and hemp products widely available. We are still a small company, but we have had great growth and success since our humble beginnings. As with the murky water around edibles, Plain Jane has no interest in marketing products that are not clearly legal or useful to customers. Keeping up with hemp and CBD laws is enough to keep us busy!

Final thoughts on Delta 8 THC
I bring my personal voice to this article mainly out of necessity, in most cases, there is enough published research to write about a topic without injecting my own experiences and perspectives. That is not the case with delta 8 THC and it saddens me that I cannot provide more peer-reviewed information on the new cannabinoid product. Instead, I will leave this question to you if you are considering trying delta 8 THC:

If you want to get intoxicated, why not do it with an existing substance with known effects? And if you are looking for cannabis benefits without intoxication, why not just try CBD oil or hemp flower?

Before you buy or try delta 8 THC, ask yourself if this product really makes any sense. The only real market from my perspective seems to be those desperate to get stoned in a state with no legal marijuana and no connections to the black market, or those who are too young to be legally buying products like this in the first place. Perhaps in the future information will come to light that will change this perspective. At present, delta 8 THC seems to be mainly a new way to get rid of excess CBD stock.