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A chemical compound derived from hemp, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol or Delta-8-THC is becoming very popular among cannabis users. It is closely related to regular THC, known as Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, but there are significant differences between them. Due to these differences, people see Delta-8-THC as the less potent, safer option of the two, and it is sold openly in many areas where the authorities have banned Delta-9-THC, or it is unavailable. If you search online for “Delta 8 products near me,” you will easily find the stores that sell it.

Why is Delta-8-THC Different from Regular THC?

Before discussing how Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC differ, it is important to understand their similarities. Both Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC derive from the Cannabis Sativa plant family. Industrial hemp and marijuana are in this family, and they both contain these two cannabinoids in varying degrees. By law, the plants containing no more 0.3% Delta-9-THC fall in the hemp category, and the plants with more than 0.3% Delta-9-THC content are marijuana plants. The content of naturally occurring Delta-8-THC is minuscule in both plants.

Now let us see the ways in which these two cannabinoids differ from each other:

Psychoactive properties

Delta-9-THC, known as regular THC, is a psychoactive chemical responsible for the high feeling people experience after using marijuana. That happens because it can impact the body’s endocannabinoid system, which comprises CB1 and CB2 receptors occurring throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. The endocannabinoid system, when stimulated, causes the body to experience emotions, moods, hunger, and pain. Delta-9-THC affects the CB1 receptors in the brain stem and the brain and can cause excitement, euphoria, relaxation, restlessness, confusion, stress, and other effects.

Delta-8-THC is an isomer of Delta-9-THC, and has a strikingly similar chemical structure. It also binds to the same receptors in the body and produces similar effects. However, as it has a differently positioned double bond in its carbon ring, Delta-8-THC has a lesser affinity than Delta-9-THC with the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system in the brainstem and the brain. That means its psychoactive impact is negligible, and it will not stimulate the endocannabinoid system to the same extent. People using Delta-8 THC will not get the same type of intense high they would experience with Delta-9-THC.

Legal status

Due to the potent psychoactive properties of Delta-9-THC, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified it as a Schedule I controlled substance, and it remains illegal on the federal level to produce or possess it. Even after the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act or Farm Bill legalized the sale of hemp and hemp-derived compounds like the widely available Cannabidiol (CBD) in all 50 states in the United States, Delta-9-THC remains on the banned list.

Delta-8-THC, when it derives from industrial hemp, is not federally illegal, and there are fewer restrictions on its sale. However, some states in the United States have banned it due to the lack of proper scientific studies on its exact effects. To avoid getting into any issues with the legal authorities, it is advisable that you find out about the legal status of Delta-8-THC before searching online for “Delta 8 products near me” and heading out to buy them.

Uses

Consumers use both Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC for recreational and medicinal purposes. However, while Delta-9-THC has been around for decades, Delta-8-THC is a relative newcomer. Consumers heard about it only after CBD products became widely available in the market. You can find out about the Delta-9 or Delta-8 products legally available in your area by searching online for “Delta 9 or Delta 8 products near me.”

A few things to keep in mind

Aside from being mindful of the legal aspects of Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC in your location, it is essential to be cautious in their usage. Whichever cannabinoid you choose, start with a small dose, see how your body reacts to it, and then gradually increase the amount. If you are on any medications or supplements, first ask your physician how these might interact with the cannabinoids. It is also important to buy from trusted sources only to avoid using contaminated stuff. When you search online for “Delta 9 or Delta 8 products near me,” check the customer reviews and ask friends for recommendations.