Delta-8 THC is the newest and fastest-growing cannabinoid craze in the world of marijuana. While recently creating a lot of buzz in the cannabis industry while making quite a significant name for itself right alongside longtime front runners delta-9 THC and CBD.

All of this attention has also brought on a lot of questions surrounding this new cannabinoid: What exactly is delta-8? How is it made? How does it make you feel? Is it safe to use? These questions (and more) are why we’ve compiled a delta-8 FAQ master list with all of the most up-to-date information about delta-8 you may need.

Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid derived from the hemp (or Cannabis Sativa) plant. On a molecular level, delta-8 is very similar to delta-9 THC, which is the most prevalent cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. (Delta-9 is what people are referring to when they simply say THC.)

These cannabinoid ‘cousins’ both contain THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the chemical compound within the marijuana plant that is responsible for the psychoactive experience, or “high,” users feel after they smoke, vape, or ingest edibles.

The human body contains a system called the endocannabinoid system, or ECS, which reacts with the chemical compounds (cannabinoids) within the cannabis plant. The ECS has a role in regulating things like mood, appetite, sleep, and memory. Throughout the body, you can find different cannabinoid receptors––CB1 in the central nervous system and CB2 in the nervous system––that will bind with cannabinoids to produce the feelings we associate with using cannabis products (psychoactive or not.

Though they are molecularly similar, there are still key differences to note between delta-8 and other cannabinoids. Currently, there are over 113 different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant. And while every cannabinoid will be molecularly similar in some ways, each one will have individual and unique ‘personalities’ when it comes to how they affect the human body.

Yes––but the experience will differ from person to person. Delta-8 has been hailed as the ‘bud light’ of cannabis since its THC content is so much lower than delta-9. (To put it in perspective, in terms of beer, think of CBD as non-alcoholic, delta-8 as a light beer, and delta-9 as a full-bodied, higher alcohol beer.) It’s important to note that although it is a lighter version of delta-9, it still does contain THC, so depending on your tolerance level it may affect you a bit more prevalently than others.

Additionally, a variety of external factors may also impact your personal experience with delta-8 products. These factors may include things like age, weight, sex, diet, physical health, and general tolerance. We recommend starting out with a single serving, paying attention to how your body reacts, and then adjusting your consumption depending on your personal therapeutic or recreational needs.

The effects will vary from person to person. Because tolerance levels and other external factors play such a big role in how your body absorbs and reacts to it, delta-8 can affect people in totally different ways.

The most essential things to note are the differences between the effects of delta-8 THC versus delta-9 THC and CBD. If these cannabinoids were siblings, delta-8 would be the middle child in between CBD (the weakest) and delta-9 THC (the strongest.) Delta-8 will give you many of the same benefits you’ll find in CBD––pain relief, help with sleep, anxiety, etc––without the “too high” feelings that can sometimes come with using delta-9 THC.

Just as there’s a market for CBD, a cannabinoid that delivers the benefits of cannabis without the high, there is also a market for people who enjoy getting high but can’t quite tolerate the super intense high of delta-9. (Because let’s be real––weed has gotten a lot stronger in recent years. It’s not for everyone!)

With reviews of delta 8 just beginning to emerge, most of what is known about its effects are anecdotal or comes from personal user experiences. The effects and benefits of delta 8 may include:

• Increased or stimulated appetite
• Relaxation and reduced stress levels
• Feelings of happiness and/or euphoria
• Help with insomnia and nighttime restlessness
• Pain relief
• Stomach soothing, nausea relief

While the main difference between delta-8 and other cannabinoids lies in the amount of THC it contains, it still delivers all of the wonderful benefits that we’ve come to know and love from the cannabis plant.

The amount of delta-8 that is right for you is going to be dependent on a variety of different factors. Like any other THC or psychoactive product, it’s important to keep in mind how these factors might affect your experience.

Things like your age, health, weight, and tolerance levels will be determining factors in how much you should take. If you are a user of delta-9 THC, you will obviously have a much higher tolerance than someone who exclusively uses CBD or who has never used any cannabinoid products at all.

Ultimately, like any psychoactive substance, it’s recommended to start out slow. Begin with a single dosage and see how that makes you feel. If that’s not quite enough, slowly work your way up to a higher dose. Find your sweet spot and enjoy!

Once again, this answer is going to be different for every person. Things like your age, weight, tolerance level, and overall health will come into play to determine how long it will last. 

Additionally, this also depends on the method of consumption you use to enjoy delta-8. Methods via the lungs––such as smoking delta-8 flower or vapes––will distribute the effects in a faster manner, but will last a shorter time (1 – 2 hours). Methods like delta-8 edibles or tinctures, which are ingested through the stomach, will take a little bit longer to take effect or ‘kick in’, but will last for a much longer duration (2 – 4 hours).

Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid that is forged from the fires of science and cannabis. While there are a couple of different methods of cultivating delta-8 THC, the most natural process is called fractional distillation.

First, we begin with a hemp flower and begin to break it down and run it through a process of fractional distillation (which is just a fancy way of saying heating and vaporizing things until we’re able to separate them.) Then, through this process of varying temperatures and hardening pressures, we are able to isolate a potent delta-8 THC concentrate, typically refined to concentrations of around 80 percent and up.

Although something like fractional distillation sounds like a super scary scientific process, it’s important to note that it is not a synthetic method. While some delta-8 can be created synthetically, fractional distillation is the safest and most natural method of cultivating delta-8.

Another way to create delta-8 is by converting CBD and/or delta-9 THC into delta-8 THC. Although this process can be done anywhere, for the highest guarantee of safety and correct protocols, it must be done in a professional lab.

Here’s a statement form dailycbd.com stating the importance of this: 

“The conversion process from CBD to delta 8 or delta 9 THC is actually pretty simple and will take place on its own when subjected to the right environment. However, the chemicals needed to catalyze this reaction are caustic and it’s possible to inadvertently create toxic byproducts in the process. We advise against converting CBD to delta 8 unless you have a proper lab setting and have a strong background in organic chemistry. This guide is intended for educational purposes only. If you’re looking for delta 8 THC, it’s better to buy it from companies that employ professional chemists that know how to make delta 8 THC safely.”

On a federal level, yes, delta-8 is legal in the United States. For that, we can thank the Farm Bill of 2018. The Farm Bill of 2018 removed hemp from the Controlled Substance Act, or CSA, which opened up space for what some people have called the ‘delta-8 loophole.’ This created an opportunity for cannabis cultivators to begin extracting delta-8 from the hemp plant to research its beneficial properties.

In accordance with the Farm Bill of 2018, any delta-8 that is derived from 100% hemp with less than 0.3% delta 9 THC content is considered federally legal.

However, on a state-to-state level, the legality is a bit more complicated. Some states in the US have banned the selling or creation of delta-8. As of September 2021 these states have banned delta-8:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

Yes, delta-8 will show up on a drug test. Even though it’s not as potent as delta-9, it still contains THC, which will most definitely trigger a positive result on a drug test. (Even some strains of CBD can show trace amounts of THC on a drug test. Remember to use responsibly!)

Yes, delta-8 is safe! Delta-8 is a natural cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant just like THC and CBD. While delta-8 itself is safe, it’s very important to be aware of the quality of the delta-8 products that you are using. Just like any other cannabis product, making sure you know that you’re buying from a safe and reputable source is vital. Knowing where your product comes from is an essential key for consumers. Reputable brands will have ingredients and lab results stating what’s in the product you’re buying.

Since delta-8 is relatively new, it is also crucial to note that there is still research being done. This doesn’t inherently mean there is anything bad to expect from this research––it just means that there are still some unknowns surrounding this cannabinoid. Arming yourself with knowledge is key.

Doing your own research on delta-8 and the companies that produce it is of the utmost importance when going on any kind of journey into new cannabis territory. Reading articles, fact-backed blog posts, and content from cannabis companies about their process of cultivation are great resources to look at when searching for safe delta-8 products.

It’s also incredibly important for cannabinoids like delta-8 to undergo full panel  and third-party lab testing. These processes ensure that the delta-8 is of safe quality and contains no harmful or toxic chemicals or byproducts.

Here at Delta Munchies! At Delta Munchies, we pride ourselves on offering a variety of safe, high-quality, fun, and delicious delta-8 products.

Currently, Delta Munchies offers:

• Delta-8 gummies that come in three different strengths (10mg, 20mg, 30mg) and four different flavors (Peach Rings, Watermelon Gummies, Sour Bites, and Gummy Bears)
• Delta-8 vapes that are disposable, rechargeable, and come in four different flavors (Strawberry Haze, Grape Ape, Melon Dreams, and Banana Lush)
• Delta-8 prerolls that come in three different strains (Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid) as well as four different flavors (Zaza OG Indica, Cherry AK-47 Hybrid, Texas Poundcake Indica, and Super Sour Diesel Sativa)
• Delta-8 tinctures that come in four different flavors (Cherry Lime, Mango, Sour Apple, and Strawberry)

All of our delta-8 products at Delta Munchies are fully lab tested by third-party labs. We believe that transparency and education within the cannabis industry are key––you will always know what’s in your delta-8 products when you buy from Delta Munchies. We truly believe that educated and well-informed consumers will only help to uplift the cannabis community as a whole.

The potentials of delta-8 have just begun to be explored. While there are 113 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant already, this is just how many have been discovered thus far––with more research being done as legalization rapidly spreads across the United States (and other countries) we are sure to see even more incredible parts of the cannabis plant come to life.

Delta-8 has the potential to help a lot of people in so many medicinal and therapeutic ways. While CBD has filled a gap in the market for people who want to use cannabis products while maintaining their ‘sober’ experience, we also feel that there are therapeutic effects to THC as well. We’ve come a long way since gross flavored syrups and hard-to-swallow pills; there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your medicine!

We also know that cannabis can just be for enjoying, too. Delta-8 is perfect for the recreational stoner who just wants to take it easy. Sometimes you want to vibe on a lower frequency, and that’s okay! Delta-8 opens up a lot of doors for recreational cannabis users who may not have felt they found a spot in the cannabis community where they belong. As the industry gets bigger, it’s paramount that it becomes more inclusive––and that includes cannabis users of ALL tolerance levels. 

Delta-8 looks to fill a niche that’s been waiting to be filled: for people who want to enjoy THC but find that the strains that are offered right now are just too strong, or for those who are seeking wellness support, therapeutic options, or relief from illness-related symptoms without feeling overtaken by the high.

The future of delta-8 is truly unlimited. We can’t wait to be a part of what comes next!

 I am not an expert. This little blog of mine, Mental Health Makeover, was created for informational purposes only and is not to be perceived as professional advice in regards to health or any other field.