Last Tuesday, eight middle school students experienced severe effects after eating cannabis-infused gummies, which has increased concerns for the lack of regulation for these products. At the Akron Litchfield Community Learning Center in Ohio, the students reported feeling nauseous and lethargic after eating the gummies. One of the students were even transported to the hospital for further care.
Back in 2016, the state of Ohio had legalized marijuana for medical use, and has since prohibited recreational use. The gummies taken by the middle school students, however, were hemp-derived, and fall into a legal gray area since they are not considered medical marijuana products, yet contain delta 8 THC, a cannabinoid which produces psychoactive effects.
Before we get into what we should be looking for in knowing how to spot cannabis-infused products, let’s first go over the differences in the types of cannabis products available.
What is the difference between marijuana, hemp, cannabinoids and Delta-8 THC?
In the United States, cannabis sativa plants are broken down into two legal categories: hemp and marijuana. In both plants, you can find cannabinoids, which are active compounds that react with the endocannabinoid system in your body to create different effects. There are over 100 known cannabinoids found in both hemp and marijuana plants, including some you may have already heard of including cannabidiol (CBD), Delta-8 THC, and Delta-9 THC. Delta 9 is responsible for the “high” people experience when consuming marijuana, however, delta 8, despite being derived from hemp, is also responsible for a “high” like experience and is closely similar to delta 9.
The only difference between hemp and marijuana from a legal standpoint is the presence of one cannabinoid, Delta-9 THC. If the plant has less than 0.3% delta 9 THC by weight, that plant is legally considered to be classified as hemp, not marijuana. As a matter of fact, any cannabis product containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by weight is considered to be a marijuana product under federal law. As a result, many brands are developing hemp-derived goods to continue operations in an unregulated market.
Although delta 8 is found naturally in cannabis plants, it is only found in incredibly small amounts. Because of this, delta 8 oil is manufactured from other cannabinoids found in hemp, such as the abundant and readily available CBD. Since delta 8 is created using CBD from hemp, delta 8 products have been labeled as hemp-derived, making them federally legal. This legal loophole may seem great for the time being, but nonetheless, it will be met with several challenges. Since delta 8 is chemically converted from CBD for consumption, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raised concerns over the chemicals used to manufacture delta 8, and whether or not it is free from impurities.
Mints Brand understands that in an unregulated market, there are countless opportunities for companies to cut corners and distribute hemp-derived products that may not contain what is advertised. That is why Mints is setting quality standards similar to regulated marijuana markets by frequently testing products with third party facilities registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). By testing for cannabinoid potency, foreign contaminants, and chemicals. Through lab tests, anyone can see that Mints is a brand you can trust.
Are cannabinoid-infused products legal in Ohio?
In 2019, Ohio decriminalized hemp and licensed hemp cultivation, allowing hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta 8, to be legally distributed. However, it is important to note that those same cannabinoids cannot be manufactured if it is derived from marijuana unless it is for medical purposes. This allows for a lot of confusion, since eating a hemp-delta 8 gummy is indistinguishable in taste from a gummy that is infused with marijuana-derived delta 8 and delta-9, or nothing at all. Munchies by Mints gummies come in three different cannabinoids, and come in four different flavors. Regardless of the cannabinoid, the gummies will taste like the flavor labeled.
The similarities in appearance and taste among cannabis infused gummies add to the argument for setting regulations for product labeling. Every state in the U.S. including Ohio is currently doing their best in creating appropriate laws and regulations for hemp-derived cannabinoids, as well as the labeling of such products.
Have any medical products containing cannabis or cannabis-derived compounds been approved by the FDA?
As of now, the FDA has yet to approve cannabis for the treatment of any disease or conditions, but has approved one cannabis-derived and three cannabis related drug products. Since they are approved, they can only be obtained with a prescription through a licensed healthcare provider.
In the past, the FDA has sent warning letters to companies selling CBD and Delta-8 THC that claimed to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure serious diseases such as cancer. Now, the FDA is raising concerns over the labeling of “hemp products” as a misleading term since hemp is more commonly associated with the non-psychoactive cannabinoid CBD.
At Mints, all products are explicitly labeled with the cannabinoid contents and as hemp-derived, and as previously mentioned, are lab tested to make sure that all products contain the cannabinoids labeled. Mints wants to establish zero confusion behind which product you are consuming, and what to expect.
Where can people buy cannabinoids or Delta-8 THC products?
Hemp products containing cannabinoids like CBD or Delta-8 THC can be found online at Mints, your one stop shop for high quality hemp products. Many hemp products can also be found in smoke shops and gas stations, however, we advise you take caution, as those brands may not hold themselves up to the same standards in lab testing, labeling, and manufacturing hemp-derived cannabinoids as Mints.
What Should Parents Look Out For?
Now that you know a good amount about the differences between hemp, marijuana, and their cannabinoids, it is now time to go over what to look for in these products to better keep your children from accidentally eating one of those gummies.
Always check the label of everything your child consumes and keep an eye out for anything mentioning the words CBD, Delta-8 THC, or any other cannabis related compound. Despite laws prohibiting the marketing of cannabis to minors, many cannabis products may still appeal to children. Make sure to double check the labels for all warnings and ingredients.
What if my child ingests a product containing Delta-8 THC?
Between January 2021 to the end of February this year, national poison control centers have received over 2,362 Delta-8 THC exposure cases. Of those cases, 40% of them have been through accidental consumption. Of that group, 82% of exposures were by patients less than 18 years of age.
Symptoms to look out for if anyone is having adverse affects to cannabinoids are hallucinations, vomiting, remors, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and fainting.
If you or anyone you know are having serious side effects that poses an immediate danger as a result of any cannabis products, immediately dial 911 or go to a local emergency room. The FDA encourages health care professionals and patients to report complaints and cases of accidental exposure to their MedWatch Safety information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
