top of page
Sep 27

Delta-8 and other cannabinoids


WHAT IS DELTA-8?


Delta-8 THC (Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a naturally occurring chemical compound called a cannabinoid that’s found in small traces in hemp and cannabis (marijuana) plants. Delta-8 in the cannabis plant is estimated to be about 50-75% as psychoactive as Delta-9-THC (the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis).


National poison control centers received 661 exposure cases of delta-8 THC products between January 2018 and July 31, 2021. 18% required hospitalizations, including children who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission following exposure to these products.


Concentrated amounts of Delta-8 THC are typically manufactured with potentially harmful chemicals from hemp derived cannabidiol (CBD). This practice may occur in uncontrolled or unsanitary settings. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a synthetic chemical process is often used in Delta-8 products to produce concentrations of THC claimed in the marketplace.


Most common cannabinoids for sale


For now, the most common substances for sale will include these terms or phrases:


Delta-8 THC-0 Delta-10 HHC THC-A Hemp product


All of these chemicals are cannabinoids, compounds that interact with our bodies’ endocannabinoid system. Except for hemp product, all of these compounds are psychoactive: THC-0 may be around three times as potent as Delta-9, while the others are generally less potent than Delta-9. Hemp products can sometimes refer just to CBD, but it also makes it harder to tell when a product has a psychoactive compound.


WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT DELTA-8 AND YOUTH?


For sale at corner stores, grocery stores, vape shops, and online

NO FDA Regulations, so there is no way of knowing what you are purchasing

NO warning labels on packages

NO federal or state laws setting a minimum age to purchase


Youth use rates


Approximately 11% of 12th-grade students across the United States reported past-year use of delta-8- tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8-THC, or delta-8 for short), according to an analysis of data from the 2023 Monitoring the Future survey.


Among those who reported delta-8 use, close to 91% also reported marijuana use, contributing to the approximately 30% of 12th graders overall who reported past-year marijuana use. The survey also showed delta-8 use was more common in the South and Midwest regions and in states without cannabis legalization or delta-8 regulations. In contrast, levels of marijuana use did not differ by state-level cannabis policies. The findings were published as a brief report in JAMA.



Sources:




Comments

bottom of page