If you’ve been following this blog for the last few weeks, then you’ve already heard a lot about an exciting cannabinoid called delta 8 THC that’s been rapidly growing in popularity. The quasi-legal form of THC has everybody talking, but where can you get your hands on it? Keep reading to find out where you can find delta 8 products to try out for yourself!
What Is Delta 8?
THC is perhaps the most well-known cannabinoid in the world since it’s THC that produces the infamous high associated with marijuana consumption.
When most people refer to THC, they’re usually specifically talking about delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. While delta-9 THC is the most abundant form of THC found in the cannabis plant, it’s not the only one. Cannabis also produces a small amount of a separate cannabinoid, known as delta 8 THC.
On a molecular level, delta 8 looks almost identical to delta 9. The only real difference is the location of a single covalent bond. That one bond, however, can make a world of difference in how it reacts with CB1 receptors.
Delta 8 vs Delta 9
Both delta 8 THC and traditional delta 9 THC induce feelings of intoxication in users, though the respective highs can feel rather different.
Delta 9 THC intoxication often comes with a lack of productivity. Shifts in perception brought on by delta 9 can make it difficult to focus on tasks. Short-term memory loss adds an added layer of difficulty, and feelings of heavy sedation, sometimes referred to as “couch-lock,” can kill any motivation before a project even gets started.
Users report that delta 8 flower seems to overall be a more mellow experience. Anecdotally, delta 8 can stimulate mild feelings of euphoria and relaxing body sensations, but the intense brain fog and cerebral effects of conventional THC appear to either be non-existent or significantly diminished.
Keep in mind that every person will have a unique experience with cannabinoids. Just because delta 8 affects some people a certain way doesn’t necessarily mean that all people will experience identical effects.
What Forms Does Delta 8 Come In?
Because cannabis only naturally produces an incredibly small amount of delta 8 THC per dry weight, delta 8 products almost always are made from an extract or concentrate. Even delta 8 THC flower is just hemp buds that have been infused with a concentrate like delta 8 disstillate.
Like any other cannabis extract, delta 8 can take a myriad forms. However, most often, the cannabinoid shows up in delta 8 edibles or in delta 8 carts designed for vaporizers.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
In general, cannabis products occupy a somewhat nebulous legal gray zone, and delta 8 is no exception.
The 2018 Farm Bill officially legalized hemp and the products made from hemp on a federal level. This partly explains CBD’s newfound ubiquity in drugstores nationwide. The bill defines hemp as any cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC. Since the Farm Bill specifically refers to delta 9 THC, instead of just THC, when setting the guidelines for what is and what isn’t hemp, one could interpret this to mean that delta 8 THC also became federally legal with the passing of the bill.
However, it’s up to each state to set its own laws and guidelines regarding delta 8. So far, 11 states (Utah, Rhode Island, Montana, Mississippi, Iowa, Idaho, Delaware, Colorado, Arkansas, Arizona, and Alaska) have made laws banning delta 8 from inside their borders.
Where Is Delta 8 Available?
Certain CBD and full-service dispensaries also offer delta 8 products. A quick google search for delta 8 near me can pull up a list of these local establishments. Here you can peruse delta 8 gummies and delta 8 THC carts in person with the aid of a helpful budtender. Note, however, that delta 8 is banned in both Alaska and Colorado despite these states allowing for recreational marijuana.
Delta 8 is most abundantly sold through online retailers. When buying any cannabis product online, it’s vital to make sure you are purchasing from a genuine respected brand. Looking through a company's reviews can be helpful in determining what’s real and what’s phony. Always look for a certificate of analysis (COA) that confirms a third-party lab has adequately tested the delta 8 product you’ve purchased for potency, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and foreign material.
