Cannabis is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. As a result, we have seen countless brands enter the market, creating the competition to innovate. With how fast the cannabis industry is evolving, it is important to keep yourself up to date with the latest information to not only stay out of legal trouble, but to also help you know that you are enjoying the best quality products in the hemp industry at Mints Market. That being said, we would like to introduce you delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a hemp extracted cannabinoid and relative of delta-9 THC. If you are just starting your knowledge of cannabis, have no fear! Our goal is to give you our best understanding of delta 8, how it compares to other cannabinoids, and the legalities behind it.
What is Delta-8?
First, let us explain that delta 9 THC, also known as THC, is the most common cannabinoid found in marijuana plants. This is the primary compound that is responsible for getting you high. Delta 9, whether you knew it or not, was and is still the most popular cannabinoid and factor to look for in making sure your cannabis product is potent.
Will Delta-8 Get You ‘High’?
Delta 8 THC is similar to delta 9, in that it is also psychoactive, intoxicating, and can produce similar medical benefits. All of these characteristics of delta-8 THC, however, are slightly less reactive to our endocannabinoid system than delta 9. The minor chemical difference between delta 8 and delta 9 plays a major difference in how you experience them.
Even though the effects of delta 8 are dampened compared to delta 9, the side effects of THC such as anxiety, memory loss, and insomnia are reported to be equally less severe. This makes delta 8 a preferred choice to many, as it is more tolerable than delta 9 with less drawbacks.
What are the Potential Risks of Delta-8?
The risks behind delta 8 are no different than delta 9. Better yet, they are also not as impairing. Nonetheless, delta 8 still has its risks, which include and are not limited to:
- red eyes
- dry mouth
- anxiety
- memory loss
- rapid heart rate
- trouble with coordination
- slowed reaction times
These are the risks posed by both delta 8 and delta 9, and that is assuming that everything else in your cannabis product is considerably safe for you to consume. From vapes to edibles, the quality behind cannabis products especially in the hemp industry varies incredibly. That is why the team at Mints Brand is dedicated to making sure all of our products are met with the utmost standards through testing all of our products through third parties, ensuring all of our cannabinoids are free of additives, pesticides, and other contaminants, and searching far and wide for the best tasting terpenes and highest quality ingredients around.
What are the Potential Benefits of Delta-8?
As mentioned, delta 8 is similar to delta 9 in every way, but with more subtlety. Since delta 8 is less impairing than delta 9, many cannabis enthusiasts prefer consuming delta 8 as it is easier to enjoy than delta 9. A milder psychoactive reaction is also reflective of the milder medical benefits. Although tests have suggested that delta 8 does in fact reduce chronic pain and inflammation, it is still reported to be not as relieving as delta 9. That all being said, the differences between delta 9 and delta 8 and our understanding behind both still requires more research. As cannabis increases its legal status across the country, cannabis testing and studies will only continue to grow.
Is Delta-8 Legal?
As marijuana and delta 9 become legal and recreational in more states, the question of what will happen to CBD, delta-8, and other hemp cannabinoids begin to rise.
Another benefit from delta-8 may lie in its legal status. If you didn’t already know, delta-8 THC can be derived from hemp plants instead of marijuana, which allows the cannabinoid to be federally legal despite its psychoactive traits. This has stirred incredible controversy amongst law makers and industry players.
With federal regulations mostly looking out for regulating marijuana, most legislation revolves around limiting the amount of delta-9 THC in cannabis products. In the 2018 Farm Bill, all cannabis was defined as industrial hemp and legal use such as long as the dry weight content is below 0.3% delta-9 THC. What is important to note is that the federal definition of THC does not include delta-8, although that is speculated to change in 2023.
Currently, delta-8 THC products are federally legal throughout the United States, which has forced individual states to take it upon their own hands to create regulations around as many cannabinoids as they can recognize. Now, it is more important than ever for you to be well informed on your state’s cannabis laws to see if delta 8 is legal for you to consume.
What’s an Alternative to Delta-8?
Turns out, your state may prohibit delta 8 completely. Can you still enjoy cannabis without having to move to another state? Of course! At Mints, we now have HHC, another cannabinoid that can also produce a psychoactive high relative to THC. The best part is, it is legal in all 50 states!
Perhaps you are looking for a non-psychoactive form of cannabis, and want to get the same medical benefits without having to impair yourself. That is where CBD comes into play. If you have heard of THC, then you have most certainly heard of CBD. Cannabidiol (CBD), is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that is most commonly found in hemp plants. Since hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC, and delta 8 is difficult to find naturally, CBD has become the preferred direction to generate the most out of hemp.
Whether you are looking for HHC or CBD, your one stop shop can be found at Mints.
How to Choose the Best CBD Products
Like delta 8, CBD and HHC being sold by the hemp market should meet a specific criteria. Every high quality cannabis company’s product should be produced with U.S.-grown hemp, and include lab results or certificates of analysis (COA) that includes:
- being tested by a third-party facility that is a registered ISO 17025 lab.
- containing no more than 0.3 percent delta 9 or delta 8 THC
- passing for pesticides, molds, heavy metals, and other contaminants
Hemp brands failing to provide these details may contain additives or other contents that may increase your risk of injury or illness beyond the risks of the cannabinoid alone.
Mints Brand is a company that was born to provide the best hemp products the market can offer. Not only do we go out of our way to craft the best tasting and cleanest hemp derived goods, we also make sure to provide thorough COAs that are updated periodically. Our quality products, coupled with our fast delivery and friendly customer service are what makes Mints a brand that you can trust.
If you are looking to check out our vast selection of hemp products, we invite you to explore our shop! Looking to learn more about cannabis or may need more knowledge before trying hemp, feel free to check out our blog!
Read More
