Cannabis is becoming normalized as states across the country continue to legalize it. In following this progress, the United States Farm Bill, signed into law in 2018, legally differentiated hemp and other cannabis products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC from the term “marijuana.”
Under this law, CBD and other cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC are legal to purchase and consume. With Delta-8 THC being legal and having a psychoactive effect close enough to other THC types, it has gained quite a bit of popularity among stoners.
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Delta-8 THC vs. Regular Weed
The most significant difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC, or “regular” weed as some people think of it, is the intensity of the psychoactive effects. Delta-8 gives the consumer a much more subtle high than other types of weed. The high is still achieved, but it is toned down.
Unfortunately, the extraction of Delta-8 THC from the cannabis plant is significantly more difficult than the extraction of Delta-9 because Delta-8 is a minor cannabinoid while Delta-9 is a major cannabinoid.
Is Delta-8 Legal?
While the 2018 Farm Bill technically makes Delta-8 THC legal, the answer to this question is not a simple yes. The reasoning behind this legality is that, under the Farm Bill, any hemp/cannabis product containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC is legal, which, of course, applies to Delta-8. However, the law’s concept was to prevent the use of cannabis with psychoactive effects, and Delta-8 does still have some of those effects.
Consequently, some state governments are taking it upon themselves to ban Delta-8 products despite the technicality of the Farm Bill, so the legality of Delta-8 depends on whether or not the state allows it to be shipped.
Consumer Experiences with Delta-8
Many consumers have found that Delta-8 provides an enjoyable high. Consumer, Billy L., stated in a Delta-8 product review, “Just need to take a few hits here and there during the day to feel chill and relaxed.” Another consumer, Julie R., gives an outstanding review; “It makes me bubbly, energetic, euphoric, happy & super chill without making me couch-locked or super sleepy!”
In reviewing a Delta-8 Sativa product, a consumer named Lazaro says, “Best’ wake and bake’ ever. It fills your brain with euphoric motivation and laser-sharp focus.” To describe the high provided by Delta-8 THC, a former Reddit user who moderated the Reddit forum for Delta-8 explained, “It is much more of a body buzz without some of the anxiety/head-rush that is common with delta-9 THC cannabis.”
For this reason, some Delta-8 users even prefer it over Delta-9 THC. In a hemp flower forum on Reddit, one user brought up the issue of anxiety that can come with consuming regular marijuana and asked if claims that this is avoided with Delta-8 THC are true.
To this, another Reddit user replied, “My […] delta 8 cart doesn’t make me feel any anxiety or paranoia at all,” after explaining that they did experience severe anxiety with Delta-9 THC. Needless to say, Delta-8 THC is held in high regard among consumers!
Common Delta-8 Products
Just like Delta-9, there are a few major Delta-8 product types.
Pre-rolls
Just like traditional weed, Delta-8 THC flower comes in the form of pre-rolls. Hemp flower with hemp-derived Delta-8 THC is rolled into a nice, ready-to-smoke joint for the consumer’s convenience. The flower you find in these pre-rolls will not be as potent as your usual joints, but you will still feel uplifted and energetic or chill and relaxed, depending on which strain you use.
Vapes
Vapes containing Delta-8 THC can come in disposable form or in cartridges that attach to batteries. These vapes allow the consumer to smoke Delta-8 THC easily and discretely. Vapes are typically more potent than prerolls, regardless of the cannabis type.
This is because vapes use cannabis concentrates which allow for a higher concentration of THC than flower. While you’ll probably find your vape to hit you harder than a preroll, Delta-8 vapes still promise a less intense high.
Edibles
Delta-8 THC doesn’t have to be smoked; you can also consume it in the form of edibles. Like vapes, these edibles contain Delta-8 THC concentrate to provide the mellow psychoactive effects that Delta-8 promises.
Edibles are known to be a pretty intimidating THC product, but with Delta-8 providing such a delicate high, these are the least intimidating edibles out there.
Where to Find Delta-8?
All of the most popular Delta-8 THC products can be purchased online. If you’d rather shop for Delta-8 in person, you can check your local convenience stores, liquor stores, and gas stations. You can find Delta 8 wholesale here.
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, most of these places are starting to carry Delta-8 THC products, along with CBD products; what a win for cannabis consumers!
