Delta 8 THC in Florida: Its Laws, Its Products, and Its Future
In the ever-evolving world of cannabis, it can often feel difficult to keep up. Not only are new products released every day, but the laws constantly change, on top of that.
Delta-8 THC is an especially tricky matter. While it’s similar to Delta-9, it’s federally legal.
How is Delta-8 legal? Why do the laws sometimes contradict each other?
In this article, we’re talking about Delta-8 in Florida: its laws, its products, and its future in the Sunshine State.
What’s The Difference Between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC?
When we talk about THC, we’re usually referring to Delta-9 THC, specifically. While there are several forms of THC, Delta-9 is the compound known for giving marijuana its psychoactive property.
So what’s Delta-8 then, and what sets it apart from Delta-9 THC?
To simplify, Delta-8 is an isomer of Delta-9, which means that while Delta-8 may resemble Delta-9, they have different chemical structures.
When you take Delta-8, you experience a milder, mellower high with fewer side effects. This can be especially helpful for those who tend to feel more anxious after consuming marijuana.
Apart from intensity and side effects, both Delta-8 and Delta-9 offer very similar experiences.
You might be wondering: are there more differences to the two compounds? What are the pros and cons?
Pros and Cons of Delta-8 THC
Pros
- Lasts longer when properly stored
- Better for appetite
- Side effects are less likely
- Legal in Florida
- Better for evening use
Cons
- Half as potent as Delta-9
- Body becomes tolerant more quickly
Is Delta-8 Safe?
Generally speaking, Delta-8 is quite safe. For starters, this has to do with the fact that Delta-8 is only about half as potent as Delta-9 THC, so it’s more difficult to cause adverse side effects.
Additionally, Delta-8 is known to cause fewer side effects overall, which makes it much more manageable for those who might be sensitive to marijuana
Is Delta-8 Legal in Florida?
As per the 2018 Farm Bill, Delta-8 THC is federally legal, despite the fact that the language around it is somewhat vague. However, it’s certainly worth noting that there are some states that have placed bans on it, like Iowa and Vermont.
This gray area is due to the fact that while Delta-9 is illegal, specifically, there’s nothing in the Farm Bill about Delta-8. Moreover, Delta-8 can be produced from industrial hemp, which is federally legal.
Currently, industrial hemp is defined as the plant Cannabis sativa when it contains 0.3% Delta-9 THC or less. This was made even more vague in 2020, when the federal government tried to clear up this issue.
They did so by stating that “All synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinol remain Schedule I controlled substances.” While it’s true that Delta-8 is often synthesized from CBD, this clarification is confusing because Delta-8 does occur naturally in hemp, albeit in low amounts.
Nonetheless, most members of the field have understood this to refer more to dangerous substances like K2 and spike, and not Delta-8.
As such, Delta-8 THC is legal in Florida as long as it comes from hemp with a THC content of 0.3% or less.
Is Delta-10 Legal in Florida?
Currently, Delta-9 is the only isomer of THC that’s banned from the state of Florida. Therefore, both Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC are legal in Florida.
Is Delta-8 A Natural Compound?
Many cannabis enthusiasts have asked: is Delta-8 natural?
Well, it depends on what you mean by “natural.”
Let’s be clear here: when it comes to the word “natural,” there is no regulatory definition. The meaning of the word is often stretched as a marketing tactic.
As for Delta-8, it does occur naturally in hemp, but we can also synthesize it from CBD. That being said, it can also naturally derive from Delta-9 THC.
The DEA and FDA have left out terms like “natural” and “artificial” and “synthetic” because they hold no known relevance to the product’s performance.
The PACT Act & Delta-8 Vapes
In December of 2020, the government passed the “vape mail ban,” also known as the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act.
This bill requires e-commerce vendors to:
- Prove that the customer is of legal age
- Deliver through private shipping
- Require an adult with ID to receive the package
- Label the package as a tobacco product
- Register their products with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the US Attorney General, and with state and local tax bureaucrats
- Comply with all tax stamps required by the state
- Send the state’s tax administrator a list with all transactions, customer names, types of products, and whether any of the products contain nicotine.
This Act includes all vape products, including Delta-8 vape carts, in the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act, or PACT Act, and vapes and e-cigarettes are now banned from delivery by the US Postal Service. More common carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, are considering a ban, as well.
Delta-8’s Future for Vapers
So what do these new laws and regulations mean for Delta-8 vapers?
It’s needless to say that dramatic changes are ahead, but the vape market and its vendors are trying to adapt as much as possible, and the potential results are promising.
However, avid Delta-8 vapers may want to stock up on Delta-8 vape carts as much as possible, as it’s been predicted that small businesses will suffer from the loss, and some may even close down.
With the heavy restrictions, customers may experience heightened difficulty and cost when shipping. It’s also important to follow these restrictions when shopping, and they can keep you better informed on legit sources. If a Delta-8 company doesn’t verify your age, and doesn’t require ID upon delivery, don’t order from them.
How to Use Delta-8 THC?
When it comes to Delta-8, you can pretty much expect the same kind of variety you see with CBD: oils, gummies, topicals, you name it!
It can be a challenge to find the right Delta-8 product that suits your needs, even overwhelming, at times. So here, we’re giving a quick breakdown of some common major Delta-8 products:
Tinctures and Oils
Tinctures and oils might not be the flashiest of options, but they’re certainly some of the most versatile. To take Delta-8 oil, you can squeeze a few drops under your tongue, or you can add them to your favorite snack or beverage.
Gummies
Gummies are a hit in the CBD industry, and that remains true in the case of Delta-8.
Delta-8 gummies can take a bit longer to kick in since they need to be digested before entering the bloodstream, but they make a great tasty treat that’s both effective and enjoyable.
Vape Carts
Delta-8 vape carts are an inhalable form of Delta-8 that use water vapors instead of smoke, which offer far less odor and far more discretion.
Vape carts are notorious for their fast-acting effects and high bioavailability. If you’ve ever vaped CBD or nicotine, the learning curve for Delta-8 vapes is practically nonexistent.
Shopping for Delta-8 in Florida
Though we’re beginning to see Delta-8 products join CBD on the dispensary shelves, you’re still going to find the best options and prices online.
As is the case with CBD products, not all companies are worth your money or trust, so always make sure you do your research on the brand from which you’re shopping.
Make sure to check for:
-clear labelling
-strong online reputation
-quality customer service
-third-party testing
Delta-8 in Florida: What the Future Looks Like
At this time, Delta-8 is legal in the state of Florida, and citizens who are at least 18 years old can purchase it without the requirement of a medical card.
It is also legal in all forms, such as tinctures, oils, gummies, vapes, and much more.
The best place to buy Delta-8 THC products is online, where you have a seemingly endless supply of choices, and where you can easily check the brand for quality products and certificates of analysis.
What about the future of Delta-8 in Florida?
With the slow but steady push, many states are legalizing marijuana. There’s no reason not to hope that both Delta-8 and Delta-9 will one day become legal. Until then, keep enjoying the legal, safe high created by Delta-8!
