The Legality of Delta 8 THC: All You Need to Know

When it comes to the letters T-H-C, people automatically assume the worst. By the worst, we mean the Delta 9 THC intense euphoria and paranoia accompanied by a round of anxiety. They literally imagine the worst. They don’t imagine the cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy that takes it to help keep food down or to give them an appetite. Delta 8 THC could have it’s own set of unique benefits that have yet to be seen.

There is no denying that the THC cannabinoids (Delta 8 and Delta 9) have psychoactive properties, unlike CBD, which has none. The 2018 Farm Bill changed the way that hemp and cannabinoids were classified on a federal level.

The 2018 Farm Bill

When you peel away all the layers that make up the 2018 Farm Bill, you can get to the part that pertains to cannabis and hemp. The Bill itself removed hemp from the definition of marijuana (cannabis). Once hemp was removed from that definition, it was no longer considered a Schedule 1 substance, therefore no longer illegal. Hemp is identified as containing less than .3% of Delta 9 THC. Since Delta 9 is the primary psychoactive property in cannabis, the other hemp-derived cannabinoids earned their claim to fame.

CBD and Delta 8 THC

Before Delta 8 THC made a wave in the retail market, CBD seemed to explode across the country. CBD is a cannabinoid (cannabidiol) that is naturally occurring in hemp (and cannabis) in high concentration. When extracted from hemp, CBD contains less than .3% THC and can be combined with other cannabinoids or sold as an isolate.

Even though the FDA does not consider CBD valid for the treatment of any disease or sickness (except for one marketed anti-seizure medication), you can find it on the shelves of just about any retail establishment you walk into. Delta 8 is starting to make the same splash, but some are skeptical about it due to the psychoactive properties it possesses, even though they are on a less potent level.

Consuming Delta 8 THC

The methods for consuming Delta 8 THC are a lot like the methods for CBD. The method of consumption plays a large role in how long the effects take. The quicker the chemical enters the bloodstream, the sooner the onset of the effects.

• Smoking and Vaping – Both of these are forms of inhalation, which are one of the most popular methods of consuming Delta 8 THC. Inhaling the smoke or vapor causes the chemical to enter the bloodstream quickly through the lungs.
• Edibles and Tinctures – For those who can’t smoke or don’t like to, edibles and tinctures are probably more popular. Edibles take a lot longer to enter the bloodstream, but that is because they have to go through the digestive process and be broken down before entering the bloodstream. Tinctures are a bit better for absorption because they are sublingual and enter the bloodstream under the tongue.
• Lotions, Balms, and Roll-Ons – Topical applications are great for those looking to target specific areas without the psychoactive effects. The chemical is mixed with the carrier and then applied directly to the skin and absorbed. Consumers have noted a reduction in discomfort after using these types of topicals.

The consumption method is important because it will determine how long it will take for you to see the effects. You should always use a retailer that you trust when purchasing any type of cannabinoid product. There should be access to third-party lab reports that establish the purity and the concentration of the cannabinoids within the product.

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

If something is on the internet, it has to be true, right? Many different websites and discussion boards battle back and forth about the legality of Delta 8 THC. The way to determine the legality of these compounds is all in the wording and where they originate. Per the Farm Bill, anything that is “hemp-derived” is legal. Anything that is “marijuana (cannabis)-derived” is still a Schedule 1 substance.

Some states outright ban the sale of Delta 8 THC. Retailers online cannot sell products to customers in these states, but the rest of the country can still purchase them. There was an addendum filed in August 2020 that could potentially create problems for Delta 8 THC. If passed, it changes the Farm Bill’s verbiage to include all THC, not just Delta 9.

Why You Should Consider Delta 8 THC

As long as you can legally try it in your state, Delta 8 THC may provide benefits for some people. Legislation can change daily, which means that Delta 8 could be put on the chopping block. For now, it is still available to the public in the states that allow for the sale and purchase. The important thing to remember about Delta 8 is that it does not have the same intense effect as Delta 9, which is still illegal. Delta 8 produces a more clear-headed effect that has less psychoactive effects and potency.

Although there are no FDA claims to substantiate the effectiveness of using Delta 8 THC, user accounts can be found across the internet. Again, take these reviews with a grain of salt and remember that each person has a different result. Hearing the stories of others can help you decide on if you want to try it and what type of method you want to use to consume it.

Our advice is to take it slow and use Delta 8 THC responsibly.