Alexandra Hicks posted: " Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, or Delta-8 THC, is not a new compound, but it has recently made its way into the retail side of the cannabis industry. It's legal, popular, therapeutic, mildly psychoactive, and very little is known about it by the general p"
Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, or Delta-8 THC, is not a new compound, but it has recently made its way into the retail side of the cannabis industry. It's legal, popular, therapeutic, mildly psychoactive, and very little is known about it by the general public.
What is Delta-8 THC? Most of my friends and relatives have no idea what Delta 8 THC is. Most have heard of THC and CBD, and some even know about terpenes, but for the most part, they are unfamiliar with Delta-8 vs Delta-9, minor cannabinoids, CBN, CBG, CBC, and other minor compounds found in the plant.
People are seeking information about cannabis in general, and with this article, I hope to answer some of the key questions people have in regards to Delta-8 THC.
To understand the difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC, you'll have to think back to chemistry class. Admittedly, that wasn't my best subject, but I do remember some of the basics. One of the things that always stuck was how minor chemical changes could create a completely different compound.
For example, O2 vs O3. When we breathe, we are breathing in O2, or molecular oxygen, comprised of two oxygen molecules held together by a covalent bond. Add one more oxygen molecule to that and you now have O3, or ozone, which is a highly reactive gas that can cause serious health complications if we breathe it in.
Fortunately for us, the differences between D8 and D9 aren't that striking. Delta-8 THC only has some minor chemical differences from Delta-9. It also has some psychoactive effects, although it's less intense than D9. Delta-8 is only present in trace amounts in cannabis plants, so to utilize it, this compound needs to be extracted and isolated.
As far as medical benefits of Delta 8 THC, there are quite a few that are of particular interest. Numerous studies (mostly Israeli conducted by Raphael Mechoulam and associates) dating back to the early 1970s indicate that Delta-8 is an extremely powerful effects on the immune system. It has also been observed shrinking tumors and completely eliminating nausea in patients who were sick from other medications.
Is it legal?
One of the most pressing questions on everyone's mind when it comes to new cannabis compounds and products – what's the legal status? With Delta-8, it's a bit complicated. Technically, yes, it's legal; but not everywhere. In the effort of keeping things simple, we'll focus on just the United States for now.
Currently, Delta-8 is ILLEGAL in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, and Nebraska. All other states are safe to order, so unless you live in one of the nine states mentioned above, you shouldn't be worried about it.
In any state/country where THC and analogues are illegal, but the sale of industrial hemp products is legal and regulated independently, delta-8 enters a gray area with a possible legal loophole because it can be present in hemp strains with THC levels below THC.
How does it feel?
Let me preface this by saying that I don't have a lot of experience with Delta-8 THC. I'm normally a person that enjoys some no-frills, high-quality, crystally marijuana buds. These are relatively high in Delta-9 THC. I've vaped Delta-8 THC a few times and I found it enjoyable. Milder than Delta-9 and seemed to give more of a body high.
That's said, let's take a quick look at what other people have to say about Delta-8 THC. According to one Reddit user, "I love Delta 8 for times that I can't be 'intoxicated' but still want help w my anxiety. It gives you the calmness of being 'high' but without the mental 'high' aspects. You are still clear-headed".
Another person stated "Delta 8 packs much less of a punch but will give similar effects and has great benefits. It's definitely for people who are sensitive to Delta 9 THC." A third commenter said "Delta 8 is great for flu symptoms, lack of appetite, and getting the benefits of D9 without that jittery mind racey / paranoid feeling that some people get".
What is Delta-8 THC? Overall, the general csonsensus was that Delta-8 offered a great physical high with less of the psychoactive effects. This makes it great for anyone who get's anxiety when smoking weed.
Just like with most of the compounds in cannabis, Delta-8 has numerous health benefits and possible therapeutic applications. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the molecule has "antiemetic, anxiolyticn, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties." Delta-8 interacts directly with the CB1 receptors, just like Delta-9 does. This is because THC is one of the only cannabis compounds that does this. Others, like CBD for example, interact with other cells that influence the endocannabinoid system.
In 1995, a major study was conducted that looked at the ability of Delta-8 to help patients who are fighting cancer. As per the study, eight children with different types of blood cancer – either leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma – found major relief from chemotherapy-related nausea. Vomiting was prevented in all the cases and the study concluded that D8 is an effective antiemetic. As a matter of fact, the United States filed a patent on this specific use for Delta 8 back in 2004.
According to The National Cancer Institute, delta-8 THC, defined as "an analogue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) with antiemetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic and neuroprotective properties," has actually been shown to have a positive effect on the cancer itself, shrinking tumors in many different patient subjects. And for the record, our government has a patent on using cannabinoids to treat cancer as well.
The main author of this study, Dr Raphael Mechoulam, and his fellow investigators, note that at the time the study was published, 480 people had successfully had their cancer treated with delta-8 THC, and that it nearly universally stopped vomiting.
Is it a good business investment?
This is a question that always comes up very quickly when anything new relating to cannabis is discovered or created – is it good for business? Short answer, absolutely, and there are many reasons for this, starting with the fact that it's much less regulated than Delta-9 THC. Again, it's legal in 42 states and it has a mild psychoactive high, so naturally, it's be very much in demand.
Additionally, there is a huge retail markup if you buy your Delta-8 in bulk from a reputable seller. We can help you source high-quality Delta 8 vape cartridges, Delta 8 softgels and Delta 8 tinctures for an extremely low per-unit price, so you will be able to make a good profit when you sell these products individually. Subscribe to the CBD Flowers Business for pricing!
Offering Delta 8 THC products will also set you apart from the competition. Although Delta 8 is a hot topic in the industry these days, you've likely noticed that it's not readily available at most dispensaries or even online retailers. If you're able to corner that market of people who are looking for D8 before your competitors become privy to the new trend, you'll already have regular clientele for these products when it does happen.
Where can I get it?
Finally, probably one of the most pressing questions - where can Delta-8 be purchased? Certain online retailers offer Delta 8 but sometimes it can be difficult to weed through the snake oil sites to find the good stuff. Luckily, we have done the research are able to source Delta 8 THC vape cartridges, softgels and Delta 8 THC tinctures for you or your business.
If you interested in sourcing Delta-8 for your business, or you have any more questions, subscribe to the CBD Flowers Business Newsletter. In both newsletters, you will find weekly deals and interesting, informative articles.
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