OF ALL THE CANNABINOIDS, WHY CHOOSE DELTA-8?
Have you ever tried Delta 8 gummies? When the Farm Bill was passed in 2018 after collective efforts of people, influencers, and organizations in the US, THC and CBD became federally legal. These are two of the hundreds of cannabinoids or active compounds found in the hemp plant, with the former being more legal only at a particular percentage. According to federal laws, cannabis products can only harbor 0.3% THC as the legally acceptable limit. However, there are no limitations on how much CBD can be present in CBD products. If you are a cannabis enthusiast, you likely have heard about Delta-8, a strain of THC. This article unravels why most people would likely choose Delta-8 over other cannabinoids. Stay tuned for this.
What are cannabinoids, and how many of them are there?
Simply put, cannabinoids refer to the active compounds found in cannabis plants. Cannabis plants include both hemp and marijuana, and the former is federally legal, especially for medical purposes. There are more than one hundred cannabinoids in nature, and they could be as many as 113. Interestingly, despite the great figure, only two of the cannabinoids are psychoactive. CBD, CBDA, CBG, THCA, THCV, and THC are a few of the active compounds. THC has two strains; Delta-9 and (d-9-THC) and Delta 8 (d-8-THC), and the two are the only cannabinoids associated with the ‘high effect.’ This basically means that when one takes products rich in the two compounds, significant changes are to be expected. Nonetheless, the number of individuals who love the two THC strains keeps increasing, and you may be interested in the reason behind such hype. In fact, online stores dispensaries dealing in THC products keep growing. For instance, Just Delta Store is an online brand that boasts high-quality premium Delta-8 THC products. Would you like to know why the stores trading products rich in this compound and people consuming them keep increasing? We got you covered, and we’ll see this. Before then, let’s see the difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9.
Comparing Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC
Delta 8 vs Delta 9 THC structure. We have already seen that Delta-8 and Delta-9 are the only two cannabinoids found in cannabis plants, and from the ‘psychoactive’ standpoint, the two will likely exert the same impression on the body. The reason behind this is that both bind themselves to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a system comprising receptors, hormones, and glands that allegedly affect most psychological processes, including sleep, mood control, appetite, and digestion. Moreover, they both have a double bond on their carbon structures. But how different are the two?
The primary difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 has to do with the location of the double bond. Delta-8 has the number eight in its name because its double bond is located on the eighth carbon in its chemical structure. Contrastingly, Delta-9 has the suffix nine on its name because its double bond is located on the ninth carbon atom in its molecular structure. Although this might seem trivial and more of a scientific jumbo, you might be shocked to learn that such a small difference is what brings the difference in how the two compounds will interact with the body.
Bonding on different carbon positions means that the cumulative effects of the compounds differ widely. Of course, the two bind to the same receptor, i.e., B1. However, double bonding on the ninth carbon atom means that Delta-9 binds more strongly to the receptors. Likewise, the intensity of the effect the compound leaves on the body is equally high, in fact, three times as much as Delta-8 THC does. Difference between delta 8 and delta 9 THC? Delta-8 THC binds on the eighth carbon, making it equally effective in imparting significant impacts. However, it is only a third as effective as its sibling, Delta-9. What’s more, the strong bonding and three times much intensity of Delta-9 THC is a concern because the compound is associated with many negative impacts. Of course, Delta-8 THC might have a few negative effects here and there, but their intensity does not match what Delta-9, with its intensity, offers.
Why do people find Delta-8 more attractive?
We have seen the differences and similarities between Delta-9 and its close sibling, Delta-8, as well as a few examples of the active compounds in cannabis plants, also called cannabinoids. This section now focuses on the meat and potato of the article, i.e., why people choose Delta-8. Admittedly, people find this cannabinoid attractive, despite its less intensive when placed side by side with Delta-9. Here are well-explained reasons behind these market observations.
- Delta-8 is federally legal
One of the main reasons many people focus on Delta-8 instead of its sibling Delta-9 THC is because the former is federally legal. Well, you may not know so much about Delta-8, but this does not make it inferior; it simply means that its production is a new development. Admittedly, when the Farm Bill was passed in 2018, it was almost unclear whether Delta-8 had also been cleared or it would remain among the illegal compounds. However, in 2020, specifically in August, the DEA released an addendum that fully legalized Delta-8. The only condition was that it had to be from hemp since marijuana-derived Delta-8 THC was still considered illegal.
Consequently, many like Delta-8 THC and are attracted to this cannabinoid. Other cannabinoids are equally popular, but the buzz and the hype growing around Delta-8 THC is indelible. Of course, there might be a few concerns here and there with Delta-8 consumption, but this has not made the figures fall. Moreover, companies trading in Delta-8 products keep earning from it, years in, years out.
- Delta-8 is a logically premium product, one quite hard to come by
Admittedly, people love unique things, and every person likes going for premium products. Compared with the other cannabinoids, or its sibling Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC seems to be a unique product. For sure, Delta-9 occurs in abundance and is readily available. However, the same is untrue for Delta-8 THC, which is hard to come by, making it a luxury cannabinoid.
Furthermore, while most Delta-9 THC molecules are easily harvested from hemp plant naturally, Delta-9 THC has to be made, but from where? Recent studies have shown that most Delta-8 found in the market today is made from Delta-9 and CBD. Do you fancy rare gems that are generally hard to come by? Many do, and having such a quality may make you feel special taking Delta-8 THC. Often, the two compounds are converted to Delta-8 in a heating process, but other methods are equally used. For instance, altering the pH environment by increasing acidity, using solvents and increasing pressure, or subjecting the compounds to catalysts also help produce Delta-8.
Additionally, Delta-8 is relatively new in the cannabis arena, especially compared to its sibling Delta-9. What’s the implication? It means that while there might be many suppliers dealing- in Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC has fewer dealers. Consequently, the demand for this item has risen as the number of those using it increases, making it a luxury item. The luxury that comes with it, the legality, and the rarity cumulatively make the cannabinoid a premium product; one many people would like to try.
- Delta-8 can be purchased online
The third reason why Delta-9 THC is a gem in the CBD arena besides the rarity and luxury with which it comes is that it can be purchased online. However, you may still wonder what makes this fact special and its bearing on the cannabinoid. Online availability means that you are not restricted to physical locations and must-visit stores to enjoy Delta-8 THC. The Farm Bill paid serious attention to Delta-9 THC and placed emphasis on availing it in physical stores. However, this led to Delta-8 being on the radar for a watch, meaning that it is highly censored. Although this has not been proven 100%, this fact alone means that Delta-8 becomes a better option for enjoying Delta-9 THC benefits. Besides, buying it online means that it is readily available because, unlike physical stores, you will rarely find it out of stock.
Conclusion
Cannabinoids are the active compounds found in cannabis plants. There are hundreds of such, and Delta-8 THC is one of them. Delta-9 THC is the compound’s close sibling, and the two share the molecular structure and effects. Still, they have minor differences, especially regarding the position of the double bond and the intensity of the effects. Many people like Delta-8 than its sibling, and for obvious reasons. Delta-8 THC is federally legal, especially after the August 2020 addendum that excluded it from the controlled substances list. Besides, it is a premium and luxury product because it is hard to come by. Moreover, the cannabinoid is readily available online, and one does not have to visit dispensaries and physical stores to enjoy it.
