Delta 8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a mildly psychoactive cannabinoid derived from the cannabis plant. It is on the double bond of the 8th carbon chain. This is in contrast to Delta 9 THC, which is situated on the double bond of the 9th carbon chain. Both quite close, but very different compounds.
What is the difference between Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC?
Delta 8 THC is mildly psychoactive. Although it is placed quite closely to it's cousin, Delta 9 THC on the carbon chain, it is significantly different in the psycho-activity department.
There hasn't been a great deal of research into Delta 8, but what exploration has been done has given positive results.
Delta 8 has shown to improve cognitive function. It can stimulate the brain, giving way to alertness, clarity, and focus. It is one of the main reasons people are converting to Delta 8, from the robust psychoactive effects of Delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 can give feelings of euphoria, it can also help with nausea, pain relief, anxiety, poor sleep, and more.
Delta 9 THC is dissimilar to Delta 8 THC because of it's powerful psychoactive effects. Delta 9, or if you want to give it a street name, 'pot', 'green', 'dope', 'grass', 'Mary Jane', is renowned for the 'stoned' mind-set it gives the user. It slows cognitive function, and can make the user lethargic.
Delta 9, is of course illegal in most countries. It is an offence to cultivate, possess, supply, or use in many places. The penalties for breaking the laws surrounding Delta 9 can vary depending on where in the world the contravention is caused.
However, in 2018, medical cannabis prescriptions where made available for the select few in the UK. The criteria to qualify for medical cannabis is stringent to ensure not only genuine need, but health and safety compliance.
The legality of Delta 8 THC however, is somewhat of a grey area. If we start where the legislation, sales, and supply began, it may show an understanding of the complexity of the situation.
In 2018 the American Farm Bill deemed that anything derived from hemp is lawful. CBD (cannabidiol) is a product of hemp, and Delta 8 can be made by converting CBD with specific chemicals. Since that time America has seen sales and demand for Delta 8 rocket, although some states have chosen not to make it lawful.
CBD (cannabidiol), is a non-psychoactive, legal, cannabinoid produced from the hemp plant. The by-product of CBD, Delta 8, although converted, is technically derived from hemp.
However, there is some controversy surrounding the legality of Delta 8, mainly because of the psychoactive component, albeit mild.
In the last couple of years, slowly but surely we see Delta 8 being available in the UK and Ireland. There is an abundance of reputable suppliers online, but we are yet to see it on the high street, as with the popular CBD (cannabidiol) compound.
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