What is Delta-8 THC?

First let’s recap CBD… 

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a popular active ingredient in hemp and also found in marijuana. Even though CBD is a cannabinoid found in marijuana, CBD products on the market are derived from the hemp plant and contains less than 0.3% Delta 9-THC. CBD is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but its legality in each state can vary because of individual state laws. CBD is commonly used for anxiety, insomnia, inflammation with chronic pain and many other medical ailments. There is some evidence that it has medical benefits, but nothing has been proven yet so you most likely will not find any FDA approved CBD products on the market today. Let’s move on to what Delta-8 is now.

What is Delta-8 THC?

To begin, THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. Delta-8THC is a chemical molecule with identical atomic composition as of Delta-9 THC, which is the well known substance in marijuana that causes the psychoactive effects commonly associated with being “lit or high”. Delta-8 THC is derived from hemp, which makes it federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as its Delta-9 THC levels are under 0.3%. Delta-8 THC also gives you its own version of psychoactive effects that are said be similar to Delta-9 THC. There are no proven medical benefits of Delta-8 THC, but it is a legal way to get psychoactive effects similar to Delta-9 THC without the risk that comes along with traditional marijuana. 

What is Delta-9 THC?

Delta 9 is a cannabinoid found in cannabis that is determined to be the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana plant. Delta-9 THC is federally illegal and illegal in most states, but some states have passed laws for it to be recreationally and medically legal if recommended by a state certified active doctor. There has been evidence that marijuana is good for medical use in cases where people have chronic pain, anxiety, poor appetite etc. The main issue with marijuana is that if you’re caught with the substance, you can face legal issues if you your state doesn’t allow recreational use or recommended use for medicinal purposes by a certified doctor.

What is the difference between Delta-8 THC and CBD?

First of all, CBD and Delta-8 THC are both federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. One of the main differences between Delta-8 THC and CBD are their chemical differences. The CBD molecule also does not contain any psychoactive ingredients (the things that cause you to feel lit, stoned or high with traditional marijuana), which is why it is marketed as the molecule for the health benefits without the high that most people experience. But for those who want to feel effects traditionally associated with cannabis use, Delta-8 will give you the traditional marijuana effect because it has psychoactive ingredients in it as well as some medical benefits similar to those of CBD, but it is not medically proven. The main difference for choosing one substance over the other is if the user would like the effects Delta-8 THC provides or not. 

What is the difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC?

One of the main differences between the two is that Delta-9 THC is federally illegal, while Delta-8 THC is federally legal as long as the Delta-9 THC content in it is below 0.3%. Delta-9 THC does provide more of a potent psychoactive experience compared to Delta-8 THC, but Delta-8 THC will still give a pretty strong psychoactive sensation, just not as strong as Delta-9 THC. Delta-9 THC again poses the issue of being illegal so when caught with it there can be major legal repercussions, while Delta-8 THC is legal. Delta-8 THC also does provide some of the reliefs that Delta-9 THC, but it is not medically proven yet. Although Delta-9 THC is being legalized on a state level in some states is for the most part illegal for recreational use. 

In Review

Delta-8 THC is the product that remains in between CBD and Delta-9 THC because it has similar benefits to what CBD and Delta-9 THC provide for their users. Delta-8 offers the comforts of being federally legal, with possible medical benefits and a causal psychoactive sensation. CBD is for the users who want the medical benefits without that sensation.