Is Delta-8 Safe & Legal

Jan 02, 2024

Delta-8 is the latest hemp-derived product taking the industry by storm. It offers all of the health and wellness benefits of cannabis but without the associated high. Let’s take a look at two of the big questions people have about Delta-8. Is it safe, and is it legal?

What is Delta-8?

When most people talk about THC, what they refer to is Delta-9-THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis. However, THC, which is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, actually refers to a family of compounds known as analogs. Each analog is unique and interacts with the human body a little differently. Delta-9 is the most well-known and is responsible for the euphoric high that occurs when using cannabis. It is psychoactive and can have mind-altering effects. Delta-8-THC is very similar but is much less psychoactive and produces more wellness-related benefits associated with Hemp. This allows people to take advantage of the many health and wellness benefits without the psychoactive ‘high’ that Delta-9 triggers.

Fun Fact! - The 8 in Delta-8 refers to the placement of a chemical bond. It is structurally similar to its sister Delta-9, but in Delta-8 the chemical bond is one step below where you can find it in Delta-9!

Is Delta-8 Legal?

The short answer is yes; Delta-8 is federally legal. The 2018 Farm Bill states that Hemp and products derived from Hemp are legal as long as they have less than 0.3% of Delta-9-THC. This means that Delta-8 is federally legal as long as it is derived from Hemp and not from Marijuana plants. This is an important distinction to make. Marijuana derivatives are NOT legal in the United States. It is important to purchase your Delta-8 products from a reputable provider like Hemp Connect, who can provide proof of origin and the appropriate certificates of analysis to prove that the product is both Hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC. You should avoid any seller who cannot produce this information as you have no guarantee that the product was sourced legally.

Is Delta-8 Safe?

As with any new product, people are wondering if Delta-8 is safe to use. It’s a natural thing to consider when faced with anything unfamiliar. The short answer is that, in general terms, Delta-8 is safe. It interacts with your body’s natural receptors mimicking compounds that already exist naturally in the body. It is also less potent than Delta-9 THC, making the likelihood of addiction almost non-existent. It is also important to exercise common sense when using Delta-8, especially as a new user. Talk to your provider about introducing the correct dose and building it up over time once you can gauge your reactions.

It is important to note that it is still possible to fail a drug test when using Delta-8 as tests do not look for a specific THC compound but instead the metabolites produced when the body processes THC. If you need to submit to drug testing for whatever reason, this is something to bear in mind.

If you are interested in trying Delta-8 or just learning more about it, please do not hesitate to contact Hemp Connect. We are always happy to talk to our customers and recommend the best product to meet their individual needs.