New to cannabis culture? Curious about Delta-8? Or maybe you know you’ve heard this stuff before, but can’t quite remember it for some reason…..
Either way, read on for answers to our most commonly-asked questions about Delta-8 THC!
What is Delta 8 THC?
Let’s start with the basics! Delta 8 THC is also known as Delta-8 or just D8. It’s a rare cannabinoid that’s found naturally in hemp plants. For the chemistry fans out there, the name refers to the fact that it has a double bond on the 8th carbon. For the rest of us, that just means that molecularly, it’s pretty similar to what most people think of as THC. More on that next!
If you have more questions about Delta-8, you can read all about it on our blog.
What is the Difference Between Delta 8 and Delta 9?
Delta-9 THC is what most people usually think of when they think of “THC” or “weed.” Back to chemistry for a second: the name refers to the fact that there’s a double bond on the 9th carbon. Delta 9 THC is the chemical in marijuana that’s most responsible for the psychoactive effects and “stoned” feeling that cannabis gives you. We probably don’t have to tell you this, but Delta-9 THC is known to produce a euphoric, giggly, relaxing high that often heightens sensations and dulls pain, especially in larger doses.
Delta-8 THC is pretty similar to Delta-9 THC, with a few notable differences. Because of the slightly different chemical structure, D8 is known to be less potent than D9—a lot of people say it’s about half as strong, but it’s really difficult to measure exactly (if anyone’s looking to do a scientific study, we volunteer!). D8 tends to produce more of a body high with less psychoactive effects and intoxication than D9.
Delta-8 is also currently legal in a lot more places than Delta-9 is! For a list of states and whether or not D8 is legal there, you can check out our blog. That being said, though, we’re not lawyers—check with an attorney if you have any questions.
You can read even more about the difference between these two cannabinoids on our blog.
How much THC is in Delta 8?
So… does Delta 8 have THC?
Nope! At least, not in the conventional sense. Don’t let the name fool you—Delta-8 THC is not the same thing as Delta-9 THC.
Delta-8 is legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which federally legalized hemp that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. (For reference, most strains of marijuana have 15% or more THC. 0.3% is basically nothing!)
That means that if you’re buying legal Delta-8 from a trusted retailer, it is guaranteed to have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Is Delta 8 bad for you?
There’s limited research available on all cannabis products because of issues of legality. That being said, however, all evidence that we have so far confirms that Delta 8 is safe when used responsibly by legal adults. There are a couple things to keep in mind if you’re concerned about safety: quality and dosage.
If you’re buying from a shady seller, you have every right to be worried about the safety of the product that you’re putting in your body. But when you buy from a trusted, professional brand (like Bay Smokes!), you don’t have to worry about all that stuff. We have all of our products regularly lab tested by a trusted third party for safety, purity, and potency. Plus, all of the certifications are listed on our product pages if you’re curious.
The other thing that’s worth considering in terms of safety is dosage and responsible use. Yes, D8 isn’t as potent as D9, but it’s a powerful cannabinoid that can still get you seriously stoned! Make sure to take it easy the first time you try Delta 8 until you know what your tolerance is like and how you react to it—no two people experience cannabis products in the exact same way. Even if you’re an experienced cannabis user, your tolerance for other cannabinoids might not carry over to your tolerance for D8.
Is Delta-8 THC Synthetic?
Nope!
The process to extract Delta-8 is pretty complicated, and you do have to use some chemicals to get it out of the hemp flower. That being said, Delta-8 is a naturally-occurring compound which means that Delta-8 itself is totally natural.
You can read more about this question on our blog.
Will Delta-8 THC get you High?
Yes!
Like we mentioned, Delta-8 is about half as potent as Delta-9. That doesn’t mean that it can’t still glue you to the couch, though!
The high that D8 produces is slightly different than D9—a lot of people say that D8 is smoother and mellower, especially at low to moderate doses. A lot of people actually prefer this kind of high—it can be less overwhelming than D9, and D8 often leaves you clearheaded enough to go about your daily activities (while still feeling a little bit lifted)!
Can you Build a Tolerance to Delta-8?
Just like with Delta-9 THC, heavy or long term use of Delta-8 THC can cause you to build up a tolerance to the cannabinoid as well. This is because of the way that cannabinoids interact with your endocannabinoid system—you can read all about that on our blog!
If you feel like your Delta-8 products aren’t affecting you the way they used to, it might be time for a tolerance break. This could be anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks or longer, depending on how and why you use Delta-8 products. Good news—Bay Smokes will be here for you whenever you’re ready to end your tolerance break!
Where can I get Delta 8?
This is our favorite question on the list—you’re already in the right place!
Bay Smokes carries a ton of different Delta-8 products, from edibles to vapes and everything in between. We know you’ll find something you love, whether you’re new to D8 or just refreshing your knowledge so you have some fun facts to drop during your next sesh.
Cheers!