Is Delta-8 Legal?

Yes and no. Delta 8 THC is currently considered federally legal but that doesn’t take it out of the hands of criminalization so easily. Many states have taken action against Delta 8 already. Some have taken steps only to regulate Delta 8 along with Delta 9. Others have banned it outright.

It’s no secret that the government is no fan of cannabis (neither is the media.) Any time the public finds a way around the arcane laws designed to keep us in a cage, there will be pushback.

Is Delta-8 THC safe?

Another complicated question. Delta 8 THC on its own appears to be as safe as its illegal cousin. When looking at how delta 8 THC is made,  there’s more room for error. 

Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant already. The issue is that it only occurs in trace amounts. This fact forces products to use synthetically-created versions of the cannabinoid. The majority of products convert CBD isolate into Delta 9 and then Delta 8 THC through a variety of reactions.

Safe products will remediate these chemicals and provide clean reporting to that effect. As an unregulated product in many states, this isn’t always the case, however. It’s essential to buy from a source that you trust to make sure you’re getting a high-quality product.

Will Delta-8 THC get you High?

Yes. Delta 8 is a form of THC and it acts very similar to Delta 9 THC. As such, it will create a very similar high but with a milder effect. While nothing is wrong with recreational use, there are bigger factors at play than this.

That intoxicating element is part of what helps with pain relief. While CBD provides great anti-inflammatory benefits of its own, THC helps by changing the way our minds react to the pain. The intoxicating element of THC likely goes a long way in enabling that.

WHAT DOES DELTA 8 FEEL LIKE?

Most consider Delta 8 THC to be about 2/3rds as potent as Delta 9 THC. Thus, the feelings are virtually identical. A cerebral, euphoric feeling is common. Lower doses may bring about more interest in activities and an elevated mood.

Large doses do carry the same risks as Delta 9, however. That means that anxiety, paranoia, and increased heart rate are all still possible.

Does Delta-8 Show up on a drug test?

Yes. Delta 8 can show up on a drug test in the same way that Delta 9 THC can. It is a form of THC and urine and hair tests do not differentiate between the two. Do not partake if you have a drug test coming up.

HOW LONG DOES DELTA 8 STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM?

There’s a lot of misinformation on the length of time that THC stays in the system. Traditional advice is 30 days for urine tests which may be possible for heavy, daily smokers. For the vast majority of occasional users, 3-10 days will purge the majority of the chemical from their body. There is no way to know for sure, though.

Recent studies have it listed as a variable “1-B,” noting:

THC and other highly fat-soluble compounds have a very long half-life of elimination and can be detected in urine up to weeks after last use among heavy users

The fat-solubility of THC means that a lot of factors go into the length of time it stays in your system. 

Hair tests are a different story. They may pop positive for THC for several months after consumption. These are very sensitive tests and detect usage from 90 or more days in some cases.

Conclusion

Delta 8 THC is a less-potent, federally legal form of THC that has brought relief to many. In my time working in cannabis retail, I saw lives changed by this cannabinoid. Many who had given up on finding relief from their pain, sleep, and appetite issues underwent a revitalization before my eyes. 

While it’s nice to have around, it would certainly be better to have the whole plant legalized. If we did, we could bread up strains that had a similar potency to Delta 8 and avoid the chemicals altogether. But we’re still a ways away from legalization in Tennessee, it seems. 

As time goes on, we aren’t sure if it will stay legal. Still, the popularity of Delta 8 has caused many to have to take it more seriously than they wanted to. Unlike the synthetic cannabinoid craze which brought about problems, people are finding Delta 8 to be safe and useful.