What Is Delta-8? New Cannabis Trend Or Dangerous Game?
by MADELINE FERGUSON
If you are in the medical cannabis space, even just a little, you’ve likely heard of Delta-8. But, what is it?
The emergence of Delta-8 brings up a very important lesson in being a well-researched, responsible consumer if you are a patient of plant medicine. Because for some, Delta-8 may sound like the next best thing, especially with the legal loopholes it provides or used to provide in some states. But before grabbing onto the next trend, it is essential to do your research and consult with trusted sources.
This article will cover a consumer’s basic questions about Delta-8, like where it comes from and how it's produced, while also diving into things to consider before trying the new trend.
What is Delta 8?
Basically, Delta-8 is a cannabis compound. The compound in the plant the world is most familiar with is Delta-9 THC. Delta-9 produces the high feeling we are used to when consuming cannabis; euphoria, pain relief, happiness, sedation - among others.
The scientific names of the two compounds are delta-8(or)9-tetrahydrocannabinol. They are similar in structure and cause similar effects, but the effects of Delta-8 are much less potent; sometimes it is even referred to as “Diet Weed”, or “Weed-Lite.”
To understand the difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9, you have to put your chemistry hat on. The chemical structure is almost identical, they are both double-bonded, and that double bond is what scientists think causes you to feel high when it bonds to your endocannabinoid system. The difference comes in the location of the double bond, Delta-8’s double bond is on the eighth carbon and Delta-9’s on the ninth.
That small differences change how your body uses and responds to the cannabinoid.
Where did Delta-8 Come From?
According to Christine Stenquist, the founder of Together for Responsible Use and Cannabis Education (TRUCE), the sudden influx of Delta-8 comes from an over-production of hemp plants meant for CBD consumers. In Utah, and much like the rest of the country, there was no limited licensing on hemp farming, causing an a large surplus of plants that eventually led to the need to find ways to use the plants.
Stenquist is a brain tumor patient and advocate for medical cannabis patients. She was instrumental in Utah’s Medical Cannabis bill, but her advocacy continues, given Utah’s conservative nature.
“The reason behind the Delta-8 trend is due in part to the massive influx of interest from those looking to monetize in the CBD space. An over-production of CBD biomass resulted in an opportunistic approach to move product,” she explained. “In the cannabis space, we’ve known for a long time that THC could be made from CBD, so this is what the hemp industry decides to do to try to save themselves.”
So, too much CBD plant matter led to growers becoming resourceful and turning to Delta-8. Stenquist explained the problem comes from changing one cannabinoid to another.
“You’re Frankensteining cannabinoids. The plant doesn’t need that. Nobody needs that; this botanical is perfect and can offer homeostasis to patients in its natural form,” she explained. “More research is required, but the better question is, why is this even necessary? Who is looking for an expensive and questionable products that offer less potency and theraputic effect?”
How Is Delta-8 Extracted?
While Delta-8 is a naturally occurring compound, the way it is created(?) extracted(?) made(?) doesn’t seem very natural.
The process used to extract Delta-8 is called isomerization. The CBD molecule can be changed into Delta-8. Isomerization takes two compounds with the same components (in this case, carbons) and rearranges them.
Isomerization is done through dissolving the CBD isolate in acid, most commonly glacial acetic acid, according to Cannabis Tech. That product is then refined into what you would find on the market today.
“This (Delta-8) scheme was an opportunity for the CBD/Hemp industry to chime in with, ‘hey, if we make this into THC, we can move product,” Stenquist explained.
What Is The Legality Of Delta 8?
Producers of Delta-8 say the 2018 Farm Bill legalized Delta-8, though according to Project CBD, that was not the bill’s intent according to Project CBD. The Farm Bill did not set out to legalize any psychoactive compounds.
The Farm Bill did remove hemp (plants with less than .3 percent THC) from the Controlled Substances act. It’s foggy because the Farm Bill never mentions Delta-8 specifically.
In Utah, Delta-8 is not legal for anyone, except for people with a medical cannabis card. Some states are moving to add Delta-8 to controlled substances lists.
But what about federal law?
Regulations from the DEA classify Delta-8 THC as a Schedule One controlled substance. The Agriculture Improvement Act Of 2018 states that the Farm Bill, according to Project CBD, “does not impact the control status of synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols … because the statutory definition of ‘hemp’ is limited to materials that are derived from the plant Cannabis sativa L. For synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols, the concentration of Delta-9 THC is not a determining factor in whether the material is a controlled substance. All synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols remain a schedule I controlled substances.”
The loophole some manufacturers point to is whether or not Delta-8 falls into the category of “synthetically derived.” A minor technicality loophole that doesn’t seem to have an obvious answer right now.
Also at issue is the 1986 Federal Analogue Act, which states that a chemical analog of a controlled substance “shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for any Federal law as a controlled substance in schedule I.” This means that the provisions of the 1970 Controlled Substances Act (CSA) that make Delta-9 THC a Schedule I substance also apply to Delta-8. Technically, Delta-8 THC is an isomer of Delta-9 THC, which means the molecules are made up of the same atoms, but they are arranged differently.
In addition, the DEA’s list of controlled substances names both THC Delta-8 and THC Delta-9, all under the tetrahydrocannabinols section. Delta-8’s inclusion on the list came with the 1986 Federal Analogue Act.
What Should Patients Know?
Stenquist warns those who suffer from migraines and headaches to steer clear of the new product when it comes to patients. She shared her anecdote about Delta-8; as a migraine and brain tumor patient, Delta-8 gave Stenquist a headaches.
“You’ve altered the chemical makeup of CBD by boiling it in acid; it’s something else entirely now. This is now synthesized medicine, it’s not naturally occuring, and it’s being pushed as a healthy and safe alternative to Delta 9. We just do not have evedience supporting that, at this time.” Stenquist warned.
The use of Delta-8 would be considered a single-cannabinoid therapy (like the use of CBD). Single cannabinoid therapy is far less researched and has less time on its side.
“THC was recognized and used as an FDA-approved medicine before CBD ever was,” Stenquist explained. “However, whole plant access is what we advocate for and promote. Single cannabinoid therapies are not as effective as mother nature’s complex profile with terpenes and other minor cannabinoids at play. ”
Moral of the story? Be a savvy consumer and always do your research on new or trending products, especially when it comes to your healthcare.