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Delta 8 is a type of THC (the compound in cannabis responsible for the high) found in hemp (a federally legal agricultural product) that can be sold legally sometimes without ID in most states. Delta 8 is relatively new development and must be produced in a synthetic process to which the long term effects are unknown.

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Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It's not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional. Healthline encourages you to make any treatment decisions with your healthcare professional.
People plugged into the world of cannabis-related news are probably well aware that there's some controversy surrounding delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive compound that some claim is legal at the federal level because of certain loopholes.

But if you're new to cannabis products, you might find the whole thing a bit confusing. Is delta-8 THC actually legal? How is it different from other forms of THC?

Below, we'll dig deeper into delta-8, including its potential benefits and risks, whether it'll get you "high," whether it's legal, and what kinds of alternatives are out there.

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive compound that's pretty similar to delta-9 THC. Delta-9 THC is a compound in the cannabis plant that produces a " high." It's what people are usually referring to when they talk about THC.

Though delta-8 is similar to delta-9 THC, it has a slightly different chemical structure that makes it a lot less potent.

Like delta-9 THC, delta-8 produces feelings of euphoria, relaxation, and potential pain relief, but they're a lot milder.

For people who don't want to experience a pronounced "high," the lower potency may be a benefit.

Unfortunately, researchers still don't know enough about delta-8 THC to confirm that the benefits outweigh the risks. Experts have a much better understanding of delta-9 THC.

Because delta-8 is so similar to delta-9 THC, it produces some of the same side effects, like:

red eyes

dry mouth

rapid heart rate

trouble with coordination

slowed reaction times

anxiety

memory loss

But delta-8 may also have additional risks because it's something synthetically produced, meaning you might not know what's really in it.

Additionally, according to an article published in the journal Chemical and Engineering News, products containing delta-8 may also contain delta-9 and delta-10 THC - a compound about which little is known.

These compounds probably won't produce ill effects, experts say. But it's unclear whether other by-products, including synthetic ones, are safe to consume.

Because delta-8 is so similar to delta-9 THC, it will also cause a "high." However, some people describe it as milder than with delta-9 THC.

Here's the complicated bit.

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. That means there's a loophole at the federal level for products containing higher amounts of delta-8 THC, as long as they come from hemp that doesn't have more than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC based on dry weight.

However, delta-8 THC doesn't naturally occur in large amounts in hemp plants. That means that delta-8 is largely made by converting cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-9 THC into delta-8 THC synthetically, which is illegal.

Additionally, some state laws strictly prohibit the sale of products containing both delta-8 and delta-9 THC. You can find out about your state's laws by looking at the Norml.org map of cannabis-related laws.

However, keep in mind that because delta-8 is synthetically made and not well regulated, there are safety concerns. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) note that there have been increased calls to poison control centers regarding delta-8, as well as reports of adverse events requiring medical care and sometimes hospitalization.

If you're looking for a federally legal alternative to delta-8 that will not give you a "high," you may want to consider trying CBD.

Below, we suggest a few full-spectrum options. Full-spectrum CBD has small amounts of THC but not enough to produce psychoactive effects when taken in small doses.

How we chose the best CBD products

When choosing CBD products, we keep the same general criteria in mind. Each product featured:

is made by a company that provides proof of third-party testing by an ISO 17025-compliant lab

is made by a company that discloses the source of their hemp

contains no more than 0.3 percent THC, according to the certificate of analysis (COA)

passes tests for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals, according to the COA

When making our selections, we also consider:

company certification and manufacturing processes

CBD potency

whether products contain quality ingredients

indicators of user trust and brand reputation, such as:

Pricing guide

CBD products to consider

Price: $-$$$ (depending on potency)

CBD type: full-spectrum

CBD potency: 750 milligrams (mg) to 6,000 mg per 15-milliliter (mL) to 120-mL bottle

This high potency CBD from Lazarus Naturals is one of the brand's most popular selections. It's all natural, gluten-free, vegan, and contains no added flavors, so you should expect an earthy taste when using this tincture.

Reviewers love the potent tincture and say it works better than other products they've tried. Customers also appreciate Lazarus Natural's assistance program, which helps veterans, people from low income households, and people with disabilities by offering a 60 percent discount.
Use code "Healthline10" for 10% off your first order. One-time use only.
Cornbread Hemp 's CBD oil is USDA certified organic with hemp extract from the flower only. It contains no additives or preservatives.

Customers report that the oil is effective, helped produce a sense of calm, and improved their sleep. One person complains that the taste of the oil is too strong.
Use code "HEALTHLINE" for 25% off on first purchase.
Vena recommends taking one full dropper a day of their Full-Spectrum CBD Drops. The mint-flavored oil is a good choice for people who don't like the earthy taste of unflavored CBD. When you buy Vena's CBD products, they also come with a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

Reviewers say they like the minty taste and describe it as refreshing but not overpowering. Only a handful of customers complain that the product didn't produce any noticeable effects.

Some folks prefer CBD gummies compared to CBD oil. cbdMD fruity chews come in a mix of strawberry, raspberry, orange, and tropical. The gummies are vegan and gluten-free. They contain organic ingredients, including organic oil, juices, and sweeteners.

cbdMD recommends taking one or two gummies in the morning. The brand also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Reviewers say the gummies taste great, and they like that the typical earthy CBD flavor is not prominent.

CBD safety and side effects

According to , CBD is considered safe, but that doesn't mean adverse reactions aren't out of the realm of possibility. Some people may experience:

Talk with your doctor before taking CBD or other cannabis-related products - especially if you're taking any supplements or prescription medications. It's possible for CBD to interact with certain medications, including those with a grapefruit warning.

While some brands recommend consuming CBD with meals for better absorption, one suggests that taking CBD alongside high fat meals can increase your risk of experiencing side effects.

Don't take CBD if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is delta-8?

Delta-8 is a chemical found in the cannabis plant in very small amounts. Because it occurs naturally in such small amounts, the delta-8 THC you find in commercial products is usually synthetically made from CBD or delta-9 THC.

Is delta-8 the same as THC?

Delta-8 and delta-9 THC have similar molecular structures, but they're not exactly the same. Because delta-8 has a different structure, it may produce milder effects than delta-9 THC.

That said, more research is needed to better understand the effects of delta-8.

Is delta-8 the same as CBD?

Delta-8 and CBD are both cannabinoids, but delta-8 has more in common with delta-9 THC than CBD.

Unlike CBD, delta-8 produces psychoactive effects.

Is delta-8 safe?

There's some concern surrounding the safety of delta-8 THC. That's because it's poorly regulated, and products containing delta-8 THC may contain additional compounds, including synthetic by-products that may cause adverse effects.

Why is delta-8 legal?

It's a common misconception that delta-8 is legal. In actuality, some states specifically prohibit it. It also isn't necessarily federally legal, as it's synthetically produced and not well regulated.

Will delta-8 make you test positive for THC?

It's possible. If you undergo drug testing, it may be best to avoid cannabis-derived products, including delta-8 products and CBD products.

Will delta-8 get you high?

Because delta-8 is a form of THC, it has psychoactive effects and can get you high. While it's reportedly less potent than delta-9 THC, it still has intoxicating effects.

Delta-8 THC may be an alternative to delta-9 THC for people who want a milder "high" than they get with regular THC. While delta-8 THC reportedly produces less potent effects than delta-9, more research is needed to better understand the potential side effects of this compound.

Additionally, because delta-8 THC is poorly regulated, there's concern that the contents of products containing delta-8 THC may be difficult to assess.

Until better regulatory standards for the production of delta-8 THC exist, you may be more comfortable opting for delta-9 THC and CBD products.
Is CBD legal? Steph Coelho is a freelance writer with chronic migraine who has a particular interest in health and wellness. When she's not click-clacking away on her keyboard, she's probably nose-deep in a good book. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the legal definition of marijuana in the Controlled Substances Act. This made some hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3 percent THC federally legal. However, CBD products containing more than 0.3 percent THC still fall under the legal definition of marijuana, making them federally illegal but legal under some state laws. Be sure to check state laws, especially when traveling. Also, keep in mind that the FDA has not approved nonprescription CBD products, and some products may be inaccurately labeled.

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What Exactly Is Delta-8? Why You're Hearing About It | Healthline

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Healthline has sole editorial control over this article. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. The information in this article is intended to be general in nature. It's not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from a healthcare professional.

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According to the AJPH, "Interest in delta-8 THC increased starting in mid-June 2020, with search volumes for delta-8 THC queries currently at 35% of the 'marijuana' query. States where recreational cannabis is illegal had higher relative queries than did states with legalized recreational cannabis..." based on Google trends. The higher frequency of search in states without legal Delta 9 (medical grade cannabis) products shows that this may be an alternative for most people who cannot imbibe legally.

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The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) from the American Public Health Association (APHA) publications

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The American Journal of Public Health (AJPH) from the American Public Health Association (APHA)

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According to the FDA, delta 8 products are not evaluated by them, they have received reports of adverse effects, delta 8 is intoxicating, the production process can expose you to harmful compounds, and the products must be kept in a safe place. Delta 8 can be purchased at most smoke shops and even some gas stations for a relatively low price. While most of these products have warnings on the package marking them as only available to 21+ individuals, few clerks choose to card when selling these products. This has allowed many underage individuals to simply walk in and purchase a legal intoxicating product for an affordable price.

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5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol - Delta-8 THC

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Delta-8 THC products are not approved by the FDA and may put you at risk.

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Being a drug, delta 8 THC has been researched mostly in a medical application from what I could find. Most research involving social implications of this substance are limited to Google trends and a few surveys. The problem with these methods are they cannot truly measure the people who form a habit buying these products or the effects they may have on society as a whole. I do not know if academia can do much more than discover risks, plot trends, and research demographics of delta 8 usage. Societally, it may be best to ask why we make laws that can be circumvented by possibly dangerous loopholes and study how legal cannabis would work in a decriminalized America.

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Public interest in Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) increased in US states that restricted Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) use

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There is an expanding unregulated market for a psychotropic compound called Δ[8] -Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) that is being derived from hemp, but there are no empirical estimates of public interest in this compound.To measure public interest, ...

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References

5 Things to Know about Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol – Delta-8 THC. (2022, April 5). Fda.Gov; FDA. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc
Marijuana Timeline. (2014). Pbs.Org; PBS. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/dope/etc/cron.html

8 Reasons to Try Delta-8 THC Before it’s Too Late | High Times. (2021, August 31). High Times; https://www.facebook.com/HighTimesMag/. https://hightimes.com/sponsored/8-reasons-to-try-delta-8-thc-before-its-too-late/#:~:text=Delta%2D8%20THC%27s%20mellower%20high,%2For%20CBD%20(cannabidiol)

Coelho, S. (n.d.). What Exactly Is Delta-8? Why You’re Hearing About It | Healthline. Healthline; Healthline. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from https://www.healthline.com/health/delta-8

Leas, E., Nobles, A., Shi, Y., & Hendrickson, E. (2022, May 23). Public interest in Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC) increased in US states that restricted Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC) use - PMC. PubMed Central (PMC); National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9126323/

Livingston, M., Walker, A., Cannel, M., & Rossheim, M. (2022, February). Popularity of Delta-8 THC on the Internet Across US States, 2021 | AJPH | Vol. 112 Issue 2. American Journal of Public Health; American Journal of Public Health. https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306586

Mead, A. (2019, June 14). Frontiers | Legal and Regulatory Issues Governing Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products in the United States. Frontiers; Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2019.00697/full

Peltz, J. (2021, July 28). High profile: Cannabis chemical delta-8 gains fans, scrutiny. Apnews.Com; Associated Press. https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-health-bdef53f20c34fe3adfd17a7808d5b4e6

Richtell, M. (2021). This Drug Gets You High, and Is Legal (Maybe) Across the Country. Nytimes.Com; New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/27/health/marijuana-hemp-delta-8-thc.html
Goffman. Erving, Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. New York: Touchstone

(Reissue edition). 1986. 2 ISBN: 978-06716224422

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Based on my experiences around people using these products, I think these mostly exist only as an alternative to cannabis in states where recreational use is prohibited. This means I will default to my opinions on traditional cannabis in society. I feel that the medical applications that users of both delta 8 and 9 engage in along with the low risk I see in recreational usage of traditional marijuana outweigh the potential problems will full legalization or at least decimalization. Delta 8's risks are unresearched while cannabis has been widely researched for decades. Delta 8 is dangerous only for its unknowns but I still think the "real deal" should be made available as an alternative.

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Users of these products are often on both ends of the age spectrum. Young people use it for its anti anxiety and intoxicating effects and older people use them to manage pain and maintain cognitive function. Both face scrutiny from society as well as the government and are often treated as "potheads" or "druggies". People who take these products often take them habitually as an alternative to alcohol or as treatment for things like arthritis. The rare nature of people using these products only once has also gained scrutiny from people who label cannabinoids as addictive.

Benefits listed on lifestyle websites include:
1.  Linked to weight loss
2.  Controllable High
3. Lower anxiety
4. Twice as effective for nausea management
5.  Can be paired with other cannabinoids
6. Pain management
7. Could possibly treat dementia
8. Has been linked to fighting tumors in mice

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Why Folks Are Eyeing Delta-8 THC. And Why It May Not Be Around Forever

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From weight loss to relaxation and joy, there are plenty of reasons to try Delta-8 THC from Rare Cannabinoid Company.

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- This is discreditable stigma because delta 8 can and is used by a wide range of people who do not immediately exhibit signs when not using delta 8.

- Because of this most people of this group can be qualified as "passing" as they do not

- Blemishes of individual character is the type of stigma most people will face as a user as many may see them as addicted, using a gateway substance, or just trying to get around the law.

- Many doctors are "wise" to cannabis usage, even if not personally imbibing, and will prescribe medical cards or would even outright recommend cannabis to terminal patients before widespread medical legalization. This has led many to circumvent doctor approval and simply purchase delta 8.

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The war on drugs in America has put thousands behind bars for using and possessing cannabis. Programs like D.A.R.E. made marijuana taboo and many programs touted it as a "gateway drug". Many of these actions have been linked to a crackdown on Hippie counterculture and racism against Mexican immigrants and black Americans. Higher sentences for marijuana are consistently handed out to minorities, and authorities used it as an excuse to raid homes and businesses hosting anti government meetings during the Vietnam war and following decades. Marijuana stigmatism is one of the best examples of those in power choosing to label something as deviant to control the groups who use it. This has trickled down to even today where elderly people will choose opioids over medical marijuana and the law will force people to seek out possibly dangerous alternatives like delta 8 and still be labeled as "stoners", "addicts", or "potheads".

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Marijuana Timeline | Busted - America's War On Marijuana | FRONTLINE | PBS

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After the Mexican Revolution of 1910, Mexican immigrants flooded into the U.S., introducing to American culture the recreational use of marijuana. The drug became associated with the immigrants, and the fear and prejudice about the Spanish-speaking newcomers became associated with marijuana.

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-Attitudes and reasons for using delta 8 can vary wildly as some may feel a medical need and others simply wish to feel its intoxicating effects

- Behavior can vary as some may exercise more caution i.e. by not driving; some may take the substance as an edible, tincture, or smokable; and some may be open and others may keep their use private

- Conditions vary as well because age groups are polarized by delta 8. Some may use it daily for pain management in old age while others may use it recreationally and while still more may use it for things like anxiety management

-Selection from the three S's fits best here unlike the ABC's that vary so much. Selection as in choice to engage in deviancy is inherent to this group as all members have made a choice to seek out legal cannabinoids