What is the difference between marijuana and Delta-8?

It’s no secret that marijuana is a plant that has been revered by many cultures around the world for its mind-altering effects. This psychoactive stimulation that defines the marijuana loved by so many, is the result of a compound called Delta-9-THC. This Delta-9 THC found in the resin produced by the cannabis plant is what has been regulated against, thus the long road to legalization of recreational marijuana in many states.

So how is Delta-8 THC different? Let’s first take a look at what exactly Delta-8 is.

What is Delta-8?

At the risk of sounding overly sciency, Delta-8, which is commonly referred to as Delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant species that include marijuana and hemp. Delta-8 is one of the over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant, the two most popular of which are traditionally recognized THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and CBD (cannabidiol).

While CBD is mildly psychoactive, it is not intoxicating, which is one of the biggest differences between CBD/Hemp derived products and marijuana. CBD is legal because it is extracted from legal hemp that contains 0.3% THC or less.

Essentially, Delta-8 is a recently emerged cannabinoid that is derived from Hemp plants with lower THC potency than traditional marijuana, and contains neuroprotective properties that may help reduce anxiety, pain, and nausea, as well as psychotropic effects similar to the Delta-9 THC found in marijuana.

Is Delta-8 Legal?

Yes! The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. Since hemp generally falls into this category, the Farm Bill made products coming from hemp legal. As an isomer of CBD and a hemp extract, Delta-8 is completely legal in most states, as long as the final product contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC.

What is the effect, and is it different from marijuana?

Delta-8’s claim to fame is that it provides a milder high, often described as a euphoria, without many of the adverse effects that some experience with traditional Delta-9 marijuana.

Delta-8 binds with our CB1 receptors differently than Delta-9 THC does, due to the structure of the molecules and bonding locations being different. This is why Delta-8 is often said to have a milder and clearer high. This also means that those experiencing high levels of anxiety and paranoia when consuming marijuana, often report not experiencing the same effects when consuming Delta-8 products.

If you want to try some Delta-8 products, Vahi is a great place to start.