If you’ve visited a vape shop or convenience store lately, you may have noticed a familiar looking substance on the shelves. That substance which often looks and smells like ordinary cannabis likely falls under the category of delta-8 THC.
For the most part, it provides users with the same psychoactive effects as THC dominant strains that have been federally criminalized for decades. While it may look and feel the same, there are some crucial components around it that differentiate it from tested and approved medical marijuana that can be purchased from a State-certified cannabis dispensary. Keep reading for more insights about the differences between delta-8 THC products and medical marijuana.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC can be described as one cannabinoid out of more than 100 that are naturally produced by cannabis plants. One of the reasons for the increase in its popularity is the fact that it is fairly similar to its more popular counterpart, delta-9 THC.
It's made through a process that entails extracting CBD from hemp, then refining it into an isolate. Afterwards, the isolate gets synthesized into delta-8 THC. Even though the process of creating delta-8 entails extracting CBD, it has more in common with delta-9 THC than it does with CBD.
Most of the CBD available to consumers is derived from hemp-based CBD. When delta-8 THC is derived from hemp-based CBD products, it falls under the category of being federally legal which is what makes the substance attractive to consumers in states where adult cannabis use hasn’t been legalized yet.
Although most locations are lenient towards delta-8 THC products, the substance still very much exists within a legal gray area. Keep in mind that because of the fact that delta-8 THC is in a legal grey area, law enforcement officers may or may not be lenient when they pull you over. It’s up to their knowledge of the laws, their interpretation, and their mood and biases.
Even though the process of creating delta-8 can be costly, its widespread acceptance makes it worthwhile for its producers. Whether or not local laws and regulations slow down the growth of the delta-8 market still remains to be seen.
The Legality of Delta-8 THC Varies Depending on Location
The widespread popularity of delta-8 thc products has led to such a vast market for it that some producers are accepting orders online. Even though the Farming Bill of 2018 passed, which ushered in the legalization of hemp, certain states have chosen to reject the language that renders delta-8 THC legal. States that rejected the verbiage in the farm bill legalizing delta-8 THC include Colorado, Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, Utah, and Idaho. In these states, producers are prohibited from shipping products to consumers and to retailers.
The legality of delta-8 THC is a fluid situation seemingly changing by the day. While consumers have been largely satisfied with their experiences using delta-8 THC, the concerns governing bodies have about the substance are validated by the lack of research around it.
Another concern is the fact that there are no standard procedures in place for producing it, which raises fears about quality standards. As long as concerns persist around those crucial components the legality around delta-8 THC products will remain cloudy.
Finding Safe to Use Delta-8 Products Can Be Tricky
One aspect of medical marijuana that consumers benefit from is that all products are tested for quality before reaching the shelves. Since there aren’t any procedures in place for testing delta-8 products, quality standards are left to the individual producer of the substance. That can make finding a reliable delta-8 THC product extremely difficult for consumers.
One of the most effective ways for finding reputable delta-8 THC products is by looking out for a QR Code that allows consumers to look up test results. Without it, it’s hard to tell whether or not the product is safe for consumption.
Another issue regarding the safety of delta-8 THC products is the fact that they hit the market so fast that there have been relatively few clinical trials performed to see exactly how users react to the substance. Given how unregulated the market is for delta-8 THC, widespread demand without research on the effect it has on consumers could lead to opening a Pandora's box similar to the crisis that unfolded with counterfeit vape cartridges. What a lack of clinical studies on delta-8 THC means is that there’s little data that informs whether or not it can be effective in the same ways as medical marijuana.
Delta-8 THC is Not a Replacement for Medical Marijuana
While delta-8 THC is a relatively new substance, medical marijuana has had proven results helping patients. While delta-8 products are capable of providing many of the same effects as delta-9 THC, there’s no evidence to support claims that they’ll serve as an effective long-term solution to any of the conditions that can be treated by using medical marijuana. Taking that into consideration, delta-8 products are far from a suitable replacement for medical marijuana.
Even though recreational Ohio cannabis consumers may find that delta-8 THC products offer the same experience as delta-9 products, medical marijuana patients likely won’t come away with the same conclusion. Especially as the legality of delta-8 THC remains uncertain, there’s no substitute for a medical marijuana card.
Having a medical marijuana card in Ohio allows cannabis consumers to access the products that have proven success providing patients with the relief they desperately crave. The doctors at Ohio Marijuana Card are readily waiting to provide the insights necessary in determining whether or not medical marijuana is right for you.
New patients receive recommendations for medical marijuana in Ohio on a daily basis. To find out if you meet the requirements for joining Ohio’s medical marijuana program, schedule an appointment with one of our licensed marijuana doctors online today.
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 the 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.