Delta-8 THC is growing in popularity - but what is it?

by druginc

Delta-8 THC is growing in popularity - but what is it?

Despite thousands of years of cannabis use and cultivation, our understanding of the plant's compounds remains shockingly underdeveloped. While we may know that the plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, most of us have only heard of a few: THC and CBD.

This lack of knowledge even extends to the scientific community, where cannabis research has been severely hampered by the prohibition of the plant for decades. However, another cannabinoid is increasingly in the spotlight: Delta-8 THC.

What is Delta-8 THC?

THC has become the most well-known cannabis compound, but this short term actually refers to delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It is the most common of the cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, as well as the psychoactive compound known for producing a 'high' in cannabis users. However, Delta-8 THC is a completely different compound.

The structure of this compound is similar to that of delta-9 THC - in fact, there are only a few minor differences between the two cannabinoids.

As an analog of THC, it has also been found that delta-8 THC produces a high comparable to that of the more common delta-9 THC. however, it has a lower psychotropic potency than its more famous cousin. Like other cannabinoids, it also appears to have promising medicinal and therapeutic potential.

Delta-8 THC is one of the four most abundant cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant, but it is still only naturally present in extremely small amounts. Still, this hasn't stopped some companies from developing ways to successfully extract the cannabinoid for product development.

Delta-8 THC Products and Legality

While delta-8 THC may still be largely unknown, product retailers are starting in the US, and increasingly in Europa, to realize its potential. A number of companies now sell vape products devoted to the substance, which some recreational users claim provide a milder high with less anxiety and paranoia.

While this may all be well and good, the issue of legality remains somewhat uncertain. It is alleged that in the US the compound was essentially legalized at the federal level under the 2018 Farm Bill. However, there is much disagreement over these claims.

Also in the United Kingdom, for example, the issue of legality remains unclear. There is no explicit mention of this particular cannabinoid in the government fact sheet for cannabis and cannabinoids as an exempt product or a controlled substance. Therefore, many products on sale are likely unregulated and of questionable quality - it may be best to wait for more clarification on the subject before trying your luck.

Possible medical properties of Delta-8 THC

While retailing for delta-8 THC may not be as sophisticated (or as legal) as we would hope, there are some promising developments in the research. Some studies have shown that this cannabinoid may have anti-emetic, anxiolytic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic and neuroprotective properties.

Controversies by the US Hemp Roundtable organization

The organization recently issued a statement against “marketing products, under the guise of the hemp name, for any intoxicating value or euphoric effect,” calling it “irresponsible”.

According to them, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has recently been making headlines for being a hemp derivative that can cause psychoactive effects. But US Hemp Roundtable (USHR), a national corporate advocacy group, says that's not a good thing.

While the USHR did not explicitly mention delta-8-THC in its statement, the press release linked to two articles describing this so-called loophole - one in the New York Times and another in Rolling Stone.

"You have a drug that essentially gets you high, but it's now completely legal," Lukas Gilkey, chief executive of Texas-based Hometown Hero CBD, told NYT when describing delta-8 THC. "The whole thing is laughable."

Delta-8-THC is naturally found in hemp in small concentrations, but it can also be converted from CBD. It's something hemp processors benefit from - a February report from pricing agency Hemp Benchmarks found that delta-8 distillate pricing has seen its first hike in seven months. And NYT reports that it is the fastest growing segment of hemp products.

Possible medical properties of Delta-8 THC - dissent from the US Hemp Roundtable
Possible medical properties of Delta-8 THC - dissent from the US Hemp Roundtable (afb.)

However, the controversial cannabinoid shows a rift for those working to promote the therapeutic properties of hemp rather than the psychoactive ones.

"Unlike marijuana, hemp is by definition not intoxicating," USHR said in its statement. "Hemp products such as CBD are popularly used by consumers to benefit their general health and wellbeing, not to get them high."

The USHR's statement comes because the legality of delta-8-THC has been questioned with the administration of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) interim final rule on hemp. That rule, which is currently being disputed in court by the Hemp Industries Association (HIA), could potentially open the door for the DEA to crack down on delta-8 manufacturing, lawyers said earlier in August.

Sources including Canex (link), Hemp Grower (link), weed maps (link)

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