Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 9 THC

There are many THC types and products that you can choose from. This article will look at the difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC.

Delta-8 is just one of the hundreds of cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant, usually manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol. Unfortunately, Delta-8 THC is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since it could still put public health at risk.

One of the biggest reasons for not being approved is its various formulations and product labeling, increasing the number of inconsistencies in various stores.

Some of these products are called “hemp products”. However, selling these unapproved products is a direct violation of federal law because of the potential deceptive marketing of unproven benefits.

Delta-9 THC is another large cannabinoid mostly popular because of how cheap and simple it is to make. However, Delta-9 is relatively simpler to create than Delta-8 since the latter’s production is relatively more inefficient that it is sometimes not worth the effort of extracting anymore.

Delta-9 contains the cannabinoid molecule that provides the feeling of being “high”. There are numerous ways of consuming THC, like inhaling, ingesting, etc.

Delta-9 is one of the most popular cannabinoids in the industry. Although Delta-9 is produced more often than Delta-8, stores found a way to synthesize Delta 8 through CBD with solvents. Although the costs of creating the product would significantly increase, creating Delta-8 products would be simpler and more efficient.

Furthermore, synthesizing Delta-8 also meets the 0.3% THC threshold required by the feds.

These new improvements in the industry places both cannabinoids on equal footing, making it just as hard to find the right one for you. To elaborate more on their differences, we used four criteria for a better comparison between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC.

Marijuana is still considered illegal in the United States, leaving individual states to determine the legality within their respective borders. Currently, at least 34 countries have already legalized the medical purposes of marijuana for those suffering from illnesses that can be relieved through the drug.

Delta-9 crosses the federal legal threshold of 0.3% since this cannabinoid is relatively stronger than its counterpart. Thus, products exceeding this threshold would need to rely on the policies and laws in the respective state to continue their operations.

On the other hand, Delta-8 is legal in the country on a technical basis. In the 2018 Farm Bill, the US government did not prohibit the creation of Delta-8 through hemp products.

When comparing Delta-8 and Delta-9, their effects would take up most of the conversation. Even if all things were equal between these two cannabinoids, their effects on the customer would usually dictate an eventual sale. Delta-9 THC is known to have a heavier hit than its counterpart, making it relatively stronger and with heavier side effects. These side effects can range from impaired vision to an increased sense of anxiety.

On the other hand, Delta-8 provides a smoother hit experience, making it perfect for those only starting. Those people taking Delta-8 still report having a “high” throughout the experience. However, this hit would not be sufficient to impair someone’s vision or to feel more burdened by stress. On the contrary, Delta-8 provides a more relaxing experience for the user than its counterpart.

Delta-8 and Delta-9 offer relatively the same products. Both cannabinoids can be inhaled, smoked, and consumed. These two cannabinoids also offer similar products in the stores.

In other words, finding the right cannabinoids does not affect the form you would want to take it in. The product line of both Delta-8 and Delta-9 are relatively the same, only different in their side effects.

Dosing refers to the amount of THC you should be consuming, depending on the cannabinoid you choose. The recommended dose for Delta-8 THC is between 10mg to 60 mg. Because of the mellow feeling of this cannabinoid, it would take relatively longer for you to experience negative side effects.

On the other hand, the recommended dose for Delta-9 THC is 5 mg to 30 mg.

Despite these recommended dosages, it is also very important to consider the individual’s tolerance towards these drugs. Thus, the consumer must also understand that the impact of a 60 mg Delta-8 THC would sometimes have a heavier impact than another person.

Nevertheless, numerous studies recommend starting with a lower dosage and slowly increasing it to find the maximum tolerance. This recommendation would prevent heavy side effects that would sometimes take weeks to fade away.

The products’ availability also coincides with whether it is legal in states and countries. Since Delta 9 THC is still not technically legal in most US states, it is significantly harder to find products like these.

On the other hand, Delta 8 THC is relatively easier to find than its counterpart. Delta 8 THC can also be transported across US states, providing more options to buy products from online retailers. However, despite the vast availability of Delta 8 THC, other reputable companies might refuse delivering their products.

Delta 8 THC is also available in physical locations around the state. However, Delta 8’s availability does not necessarily mean that you should just buy products anywhere.

For example, credible stores selling Delta 8 THC is still better than those sold in gas stations and other sketchy shops. Since Delta 8 THC is still not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, you also run the risk of getting unwanted impurities into your system if you choose the wrong product.

Thus, the Delta 8 availability also means that you would need to be significantly more careful in finding a trustworthy brand.