No doubt you have heard about THC. And you have probably heard about “Delta 9” in mention of the it. But what about Delta 8, its mild-mannered cousin? Listed here is whatever you need to find out about Delta 8 THC, why some people prefer it, and what the status of Delta 8 is currently in their state of Utah. 

Delta 8 Vs. Delta 9 THC 

Delta 8 is also known as delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is a natural cannabinoid that is within cannabis and hemp. Its chemistry is very similar to THC delta 8 disposable. Both Delta 9 and Delta 8 affect the human body as well as your brain in comparable way given that they both connect with the endocannabinoid system, albeit in slightly different ways. 

Studies have shown that Delta 8 THC can help reduce anxiety, protect the brain, prevent nausea, and assistance with insomnia. (1)  Anecdotal evidence also implies that Delta 8 may have the ability to assistance with pain more effectively than Delta 9. (2) 

What is Delta 8 and is it Safe?

The main difference between the two is strength. Delta 8 may also be called “THC Light” or the “Diet Weed” because it's noted for making a smooth, mild and light “high” that is said to be more energizing than Delta 9 medical marijuana. Make no mistake, Delta 8 can get you high. But lots of people prefer this calmer experience versus the effects of stronger THC strains. 

People that are sensitive to THC generally speaking and experience anxiety or paranoia when taking Delta 9 also needs to take caution when utilizing Delta 8. Even though the side effects may possibly not be as intense, you might still experience them. 

Dosing Methods and “Staying Power” of Delta 8

The same as regular THC, how Delta 8 affects you will depend in large part all on your own unique body, rate of metabolism, and age, amongst other factors.

There are as much ways of administering Delta 8 as you can find for Delta 9. Each can have their unique timeframe for just how long it will decide to try start working as well as just how long the effects will last. 

Much like regular THC, vaping, tinctures, and gummies produce very quick results. Individuals will feel the effects in less than 15 minutes and the effects will last as much as five hours. Delta 8 capsule and edibles take a bit longer to start working since they have to go through the digestive system. These dosing methods will take as much as 2 hours to feel the effects, but they are able to last as much as 8 hours. 

Yet another thing to remember as it pertains to Delta 8 is that it can still show on a drug test just like regular THC. In reality, Delta 8 can actually show on a hair follicle test for 90 days.

What About Safety with Delta 8? 

You have probably heard some not-to-pretty stories about Delta 8 and safety. In reality, there's been enough press around this for anybody to improve an eyebrow and take notice. 

This can be a deal as it pertains to safety and Delta 8. Delta is definitely an analogue of Delta 9 and is a substance that exists naturally with cannabis and hemp. But here's the rub. Many Delta 8 comes from hemp using extraction and conversion via synthetic means. In the present cannabis climate where Delta 8 is a warm commodity, unscrupulous manufactures use harsh (and cheap) solvents and other chemicals to do this, at the trouble of public safety. 

A study conducted in April 2021 by the U.S. Cannabis Council found lots of different Delta 8 products which had high levels of not just solvents but heavy metals as well. The levels were excessive for human consumption, specially when it stumbled on Delta 8 vape carts. The merchandise were obtained from unregistered, unlicensed stores operating across 8 states. (3) 

There are lots of known health risks associated with these chemicals, including liver damage and brain damage. (4) 

Dizziness, vomiting, and blacking out will also be short-term side effects of overexposure to solvents in particular. They are the precise symptoms that many people experienced after having used these black-market products. Unfortunately, a big number of children have gotten poisoned from gummies and candies that contain poorly manufactured Delta 8. (5)

Is Delta 8 Legal in Utah?

Delta 8 THC is mainly extracted from hemp, even as we discussed earlier, and this causes legal issues as well. 

The Farm Bill of 2018 states that hemp is legal to grow throughout the United States. According to the Bill, “(a)ll derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of less than 0.3 percent” are legal. (6)

Federally speaking, the DEA (US Drug Enforcement Administration) has given mixed signals as to where they stand on the issue of Delta 8 legality. Whilst the DEA released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) in 2020 that hinted at the fact that the agency might be classifying Delta 8 as a Schedule I Controlled Substance soon (as Delta 9 THC currently reaches the federal level), other indications appear to indicate the opposite. (7) 

On their state level, many interpret the Bill to mean that it's okay to make Delta 8 THC from hemp since manufacturers are not extracting Delta 9. 

Utah is among roughly a dozen states who view the wording of the Bill loosely and who don't agree totally that Delta 8 from hemp should be legal. Many state legislators also provide obvious concerns about safety as it pertains to Delta 8. 

Delta 8 products may possibly not be produced, sold, or utilized in their state of Utah. However, the Beehive state does have a very well-structured Utah Medical Marijuana program that currently serves over 20,000 card-carrying members. 

Fortunately Delta 9 THC products as well as CBD can be purchased in tincture, capsule, transdermal, vape cart, and 1 ounce flower pouches to registered, verified medical marijuana card-carriers. These items can be purchased at a licensed Utah dispensary to grab face-to-face or via delivery.