Pernithia Galnith 
Often referred to as “diet weed,” delta-8 THC products are fast gaining popularity.
Not as strong or potent as its cousin delta-9, the chemical compound is produced naturally by the cannabis plant but in small amounts. Concentrated quantities are usually manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).
That’s not to say you can’t get high, which is why many people mistakenly think delta-8 strain is fair play. Some scrupulous cannabis product manufacturers are quick to take advantage of that assumption.
USA Today reports that delta-8 THC products are often packaged like candy, making them easily available at herb shops and convenience stores. Is it legal? Yes and no.
A loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill legalized delta-8 THC and left it unregulated at the federal level. As a result, the increased consumption of delta-8 THC products has caused controversy.
With the above being said, like any controlled substance, consuming delta-8 THC does come with side effects, hence why it should be used responsibly.
Which Products Contain Delta-8 THC?
While the effects are weaker than delta-9 THC, diet weed is not to be underestimated.
Hemp is any part of the cannabis sativa plant containing no more than 0.3% THC. Anything above that is illegal. Due to the ambiguity of the bill, delta-8 THC falls within these legal limits.
Sold as edibles or vapes, and as previously mentioned, many products are packaged as knock-offs of well-known sweet brands.
However, cannabis connoisseurs know well to stay away from poor-quality fake products and prefer their delta-8 content in edibles, flowers, or cannabis-infused drinks.
Edibles or Smoking?
Edibles vs smoking has been an ongoing debate in cannabis culture. Now that the industry has expanded to include THC-infused water and drinks, the options are more readily available.
Legal edibles are derived from hemp and sometimes contain delta-8. These are anything from brownies to gummies to muffins.
It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour to take effect. Our advice? Start with small bites to avoid overdoing it.
When buying your edibles online, consider the following:
- Check local state laws
- Dosages vary according to brand
- Edibles normally contain high doses of THC, so read the label
Drink Delta advises to beware of strong edibles. They may be tasty but the high can cause distress, especially for those not used to taking them.
A good ‘ol joint remains the preferred method for many smokers. Since cannabis use is illegal in some states, there’s a growing trend for THCA flower, which is technically legal.
Although the high is lesser than a regular marijuana hit, some cannabis users are more partial to its milder psychoactive effects.
What Are the Effects of Delta-8?
Producing a fuzzy, euphoric high, delta-8 THC is sometimes used to relieve the symptoms of stress, depression, and chronic pain.
However, the jury is still out on whether the cannabinoid (CBD) is effective in treating these ailments.
Here’s an interesting tidbit. Delta-8, made in a lab with CBD, is much more potent than the naturally-occurring compound. This means the effects can be longer.
This brings us to the next question: how long does delta-8 stay in your system? It depends on the type of product you’ve ingested.
Remember, edibles take longer to pass through the body because they go through the digestive system and liver, where they are metabolized. A prolonged high can last a full day before the effects wane.
On the other hand, drinking a THC-infused drink or water, smoking a blunt, or vaping makes the high last for about two to three hours. This, too, could trigger a positive drug test. Of all the standard drug tests, urine tests are the most common.
The good news is that the amount of THC in the urine will be lower. The bad news? If you’re a regular user, trace levels will linger in the bloodstream for longer and produce a positive result.
When do I know Delta-8 is Safe for Use?
Because the cannabis and CBD market is mostly unregulated, it’s hard to tell if you’re getting a quality product.
You must be cautious when purchasing a product from a store or online. The lack of uniform labeling requirements means many unknown ingredients slip through the cracks.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes to change all that following a probe into Diamond Shruumz products, recalled in September this year.
In addition to containing muscimol, other unlisted ingredients were found, including a controlled substance called psilocin.
GoodRx says until more research is conducted and stricter regulations are in place, it’s safer to use regulated cannabis brands rather than over-the-counter delta-8 products.
As a rule of thumb, only buy items with childproof packaging, have been laboratory tested, and contain clear labeling.
Delta-8 THC is often marketed as a natural cannabis product. But, most are chemically made by converting CBD oil with strong acids. Keep this in mind when shopping around for good goods.
