In 2016, Ohio lawmakers legalized medical marijuana use for residents of the state with qualifying medical conditions. Medical marijuana now known all over the state as a safe and effective treatment!
But there are still many people in Ohio that are not comfortable using marijuana at all until it is federally legal. Because of this disconnect, those with business savvy have developed more ways to bring marijuana products to consumers. One of these ways is through the new product on the market, delta-8 THC.
Delta-8 is so controversial because there are no regulations regarding the production of this product. So basically when you consume it, you can never be certain of what you are consuming. With a medical marijuana card, you can go to a dispensary of your choice which is legally bound to provide high quality marijuana products. Delta-8 can be purchased without a card therefore it lies outside of those restrictions.
There has been a lot of excitement around delta-8 but most people really don’t know much about the product at all. So in today’s blog, we will be giving you all the tea on delta-8 THC!
The Basics of Delta-8 THC
Many people don’t really know what delta-8 is, even if they consume it! Delta-8 is a cannabinoid in marijuana that is similar to the typical delta-9 THC cannabinoid that we all know and love.
When you hear of THC in cannabis products, delta-9 THC is what is being referred to. Delta-9 THC is the chemical compound in cannabis that makes you feel the psychoactive effects or the “high”. Delta-8 is a different compound but is similar to delta-9 THC and causes similar effects in the body.
For clarity, in this blog we will be referring to delta-9 THC as just THC and delta-8 THC as delta-8.
The Controversy of Delta-8
The legality of it is a bit clouded so delta-8 often comes with a lot of controversy.
Delta-8 can be extracted from hemp plants. Since 2018, hemp plants can be grown legally in America. This is because hemp plants, which are in the same family as cannabis plants, contain less than 0.3% THC whereas cannabis plants contain over 0.3% THC.
Since delta-8 can be extracted from hemp, it is technically legal even in states where THC extracted from cannabis plants can still be illegal or only medically legal. But since not much is known about delta-8 some states have made it illegal even though it is a hemp product.
Delta-8 Can Still Make You High
There are two popular cannabinoids in marijuana that are most commonly known, THC and CBD. THC is the compound that produces the psychoactive effect and makes you feel “high.” CBD does not have psychoactive effects. Both of these can be used to treat debilitating medical conditions.
A different placement of a single double bond makes Delta-8 different from THC. Although we are not exactly sure of the medicinal properties of delta-8, most who use it agree that it does have a psychoactive effect.
Since delta-8 is extracted from hemp and not marijuana, companies branded it as a less potent version of THC. This is true if we compare milligram to milligram but overall this is a cheap marketing tactic that has made delta-8 appear gentler than THC. Delta-8 isn’t necessarily gentler than THC because those using it can just take more of it to get more of an effect.
After increasing the dosage of delta-8, many are not happy with the results. If you are trying delta-8 for the first time, we suggest starting low and slow just like with any other marijuana product on the market.
Delta-8 Illegal in Some States
Delta-8 is increasing in popularity because it is the closest thing to THC that can be purchased without a medical marijuana card. But, as we mentioned before, a lot of users are overconsuming delta-8. This has been associated with intense panic attacks and even hospitalization!
Just because something is readily available and easily accessible does not mean that it is safe to use. Even states with progressive cannabis laws have prohibited the use of delta-8!
Below is a list of the states where delta-8 is illegal:
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
Colorado
Delaware
Idaho
Iowa
Mississippi
Montana
Rhode Island
Washington
Utah
Vermont
While Ohio is not on this list, it is possible that this could change in the future.
Delta-8 is Not Easy to Extract
Many are under the impression that delta-8 is on-trend right now because it is easier to extract than other cannabinoids. This is not the case.
A small amount of delta-8 can be found within all cannabis varieties naturally but the concentrations are extremely low. This makes it more difficult to extract in comparison to THC and CBD which are more plentiful in the cannabis plant.
Delta-8 is only on-trend right now because people are seeing it as a legal work around to getting the benefits of THC, even though they really are not.
Because delta-8 is concentrated in such small amounts it is synthesized from hemp-derived CBD meaning that delta-8 is not directly made into gummies, capsules or tinctures. Since hemp, hemp-derived products and CBD are all legal in the U.S., delta-8 can be synthesized with CBD as long as it is derived from hemp.
You Can Still Fail a Drug Test Using Delta-8
Many people think that using delta-8 will allow them to pass a drug test from an employer but THC is THC. So although delta-8 THC is different from the traditional delta-9 THC, it is still THC nonetheless and it will still show up on a drug test. If you believe that you are going to be drug tested for work, it is best to stay away from cannabis products and delta-8 altogether!
Popular Ways to Consume Delta-8 Products
If you are still interested in delta-8 products, you are free to go ahead and give it a try!
Since delta-8 is in such low quantities, there is not enough to give you that psychoactive effect many look for. So vape cartridges and gummies are the way to go for consumption. Just remember, start low and slow, like with any cannabis or hemp product!
Takeaways
If you are trying delta-8 to help aid a medical condition, first check if your medical condition is a qualifying condition for the state of Ohio.
If it is, you are in luck! You can skip using delta-8 and head straight to Ohio Marijuana Card for assistance.
Keep in mind that delta-8 is not the only solution for you. It is also not the safest or most effective. At Ohio Marijuana Card, we will help you every step of the way to getting your medical marijuana card!
You deserve safe, effective relief and connecting with us is the first step.
Doctors Who Care. Relief You Can Trust.
Here at Ohio Marijuana Card, our goal is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (866) 457-5559, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Ohio Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Ohio.
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