Delta-8 phenomen in USA. What effects does it have?

It is a chemical compound in cannabis plants that is very similar to the molecule delta-9 THC, which is the most well-known compound in cannabis plants, responsible for the perfect high, euphoria, feelings of happiness, relaxation, relief and many more. THC can be found in most cannabis plants.

The difference between the two cannabinoids is not only in their name, but also in their chemical structure. The technical name for THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, known as delta-9 THC, or delta-9. The cannabinoid delta-8 is short for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-8 THC. Delta-8 can produce similar effects to delta-9 THC, but not as strong.

If you hear mentions of THC around you, it is always the second and more familiar variant of delta-9 THC.

As far as legality goes, delta-8 is a bit on the borderline. It can be extracted from both regular and technical cannabis. As of 2018, for example, you can grow hemp almost everywhere in America, which would make delta-8 legal in states where delta-9 is not.

Interestingly, products containing delta-8 are made from CBD strains which at least theoretically falls under the federal law of product origin.

In some US states, THC is still illegal, and because of this, residents there are starting to gravitate towards products that contain delta-8. Firstly because of the perceived legality (which is questionable) and also because of the effects. It’s weaker than conventional THC, but many people are happy with it. As a result of the growing demand, manufacturers are beginning to include delta-8 products in their product range.

Cannabis plants – what’s the difference between Delta-8 vs. Delta-9?

Both molecules bind to the endocannabinoid system. In terms of chemistry, both molecules are similar as they have a double bond in their structure. But the difference is in the double bond linkage. Both cannabinoids have a chain of carbon atoms. Delta-8 has a double bond with the eighth carbon atom, while Delta-9 (as seen) has a double bond with the ninth carbon atom.

Delta-8 has a slightly different binding to the endocannabinoid system, precisely because of the different position of the double bond. For this reason, researchers believe that the position of the double bond results in weaker effects than the regular THC variant. But, as is usually the case with things related to marijuana, a bunch of scientists have yet to look at this to confirm this information.

Does the high come after consuming Delta-8?

The desired high after consuming Delta-8 will occur, but the effects will not be as strong as Delta-9. However, Delta-8 is hopeful for those who live in states where cannabis is illegal. So you could feel the effects of THC without the possibility of breaking the law.

Some users might prefer this weaker option, even though they can legally get THC-containing products. For some, regular Delta-9 is too strong and they may experience some negative symptoms such as anxiety, paranoia. Delta-8 thus offers a milder and more balanced high.

Dante Jordan, who works for the foreign company Leafly had the opportunity to try products containing Delta-8 and described the effects as refreshing, energetic and lighter than when taking Delta-9.

“Yeah, Delta-8 definitely gets you high. However, it wasn’t the classic high I’m used to through consuming gummies, smoking joints and dabbing”.

How long do the effects of Delta-8 last?

The high itself lasts for a similar amount of time as when consuming Delta-9 THC, but it’s not as strong. The influencing factors are then the same: the amount consumed and the form of consumption. If you smoke a joint, it won’t be as strong as if you had a THC gummy bear.

The benefits of consuming Delta-8

The beneficial effects are similar to its stronger counterpart and can thus help with these difficulties:

• Pain relief
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Nausea

Then there are the effects after using. As mentioned, these are the same as the other THC molecule. The resulting effect is a milder euphoria, a feeling of happiness and an uplifting feeling.

Side effects include dry mouth, minor short term memory problems, paranoia and anxiety. However, this has not yet been confirmed by proper research.

So the way delta-8 affects you depends on the dosage and your tolerance. Seasoned cannabis users will find it to be a very weak version of their favourite strain, but if beginners take delta-8 products, it could affect them quite strongly. It depends on your resistance.

Is delta-8 legal?

Delta-8 is currently in a legal grey area.

Few state laws currently address the issue of delta-8 THC. Most state laws that pertain to marijuana or hemp use language that refers to marijuana, hemp, THC, CBD, or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. There are 11 states where delta-8 is considered illegal under state law

In the proposed rule, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indirectly classified delta-8 THC as a Schedule I controlled substance, which would make it federally illegal.

But it’s a paradox when you consider the origins of delta-8 THC. It’s processed exclusively from industrial hemp, which in turn makes the substance legal.

Delta-8 wouldn’t show up on a drug test? Wrong, the tests cannot tell the difference between delta-8 and delta-9, so they are positive in both cases.

This is basic information about delta-8. If you are interested in trying this product and you live in US, you can explore the internet and after a while you will find many e-shops which offers delta-8. Following the success in the US, this trend can be expected to spread to the EU and other countries around the world.

Until that happens, our cannabis varieties will come in handy. They are perfect seeds that will grow into beautiful plants.