Legality

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Delta 8 Hawaii – Is It Legal And Where To Buy

Delta 8 is a unique cannabinoid that is becoming increasingly popular across Hawaii’s island chain and social media outlets. The rise in interest in delta 8 products and producers that sell hemp goods cheaply worldwide has caused an expansion of the cannabis industry; different delta 8 products are being made regularly. 

Cannabis veterans and novices are moving towards hemp-grown delta 8 as a safe and allowed alternative to traditional delta 9 THC, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and its derived products.

However, in the USA, hemp & CBD products were only considered legal on a federal level. It’s been left to each state to decide whether to legalize it on a state level hence the differences in federal and state laws regarding hemp and its derived products.

Delta 8 products are gaining traction in the Aloha state but is delta 8 allowed in Hawaii? Are consumers breaking state laws by using delta 8 products or not? If not, then the next question is where to buy delta 8 in Hawaii.

In this article we hope to give you the expertise needed to answer the legality of delta 8 Hawaii and where you can get high-quality delta 8 products to buy in Hawaii.

What Is Delta 8 From The Hemp Plant?

We will delve into the legality of delta 8 in Hawaii shortly but before then, let’s discuss what exactly delta 8 is and why it has become a viable alternative to traditional cannabis products and isn't synthetically derived.

Delta 8 THC is a minor cannabinoid in the hemp plant, along with over 400 chemical compounds. Although delta 8 is a naturally occurring compound, it comes in minute quantities, making extraction in larger quantities quite impossible.

Delta 8 Vs. CBD Hemp Products

However, Cannabidiol, popularly known as CBD, and delta 9 extracted from the hemp plant or cannabis can be synthesized into delta 8 through a chemical process called isomerization. This transformation makes it possible for delta 8 producers to get delta 8 in larger quantities for commercial purposes.

Delta 8 is an isomer of the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule, the main psychoactive compound in marijuana, which makes delta 8 a psychoactive compound. This means that delta 8 can cause a high quite similar to the high associated with taking marijuana.

The Delta 8 THC High

Although the delta 8 high is similar to a marijuana high, it is not as strong and doesn’t come with the negative side effects usually accompanied by marijuana. Having all of this makes delta 8 THC extremely user-friendly.

Consumers of delta 8 describe its high as a smooth and mellow euphoric sensation that takes over your body, leaving you calm and relaxed throughout the day. 

How The 2018 Farm Bill Legalized Delta 8 

Delta 8 became federally legal due to a loophole in the Agriculture Improvement Act popularly known as The 2018 Farm Bill. This made some forms of THC legal in Hawaii.

Historically, industrial hemp, marijuana, and the seeds thereof were seen as the same plant. Marijuana was a controlled substance that was illegal to grow, possess or use and offenders were severely punished until the 2018 bill differentiated hemp from marijuana by giving these two plants different definitions altogether. 

Under the new federal law, hemp, from the plant cannabis Sativa (one of the more popular strains), and hemp products are legal as long as they don’t contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis.

This new definition of the hemp plant, which saw the removal of hemp from the list of controlled substances, created a loophole for the hemp derivative, delta 8 to become federally legal in the United States.

Delta 8 In Hawaii Online - Is It Legal?

Is delta 8 legal in Hawaii? Yes - Hawaii fully legalized hemp when they passed House Bill 2689. The bill defined hemp in accordance with the 2018 federal definition.

Hawaii House Bill 2689 clarified the definition of hemp and marijuana and also amended the definition of tetrahydrocannabinol to exclude hemp-derived THC, which effectively removed hemp derivatives from the state’s controlled substances list.

Delta 8 Oahu, Honolulu? Is It Legal

Oahu is part of the Hawaiian Island chain and home of the state capital Honolulu. Since Oahu falls under the state of Hawaii and is governed by Hawaii state law, delta 8 is legal to sell or buy in Oahu provided the product is compliant. 

Delta 8 Vs. Delta 9

Delta 8 and delta 9 both have psychoactive properties but their potency is based on their chemical structure - neither is synthetically derived and each has similar delivery methods.

Each of these compounds has a carbon double bond in the chemical formula, the double bond of delta 8 happens on the eighth carbon atom while that of delta 9 happens on the ninth carbon. 

Delta 8’s double carbon placement allows it to bind with both CB1 and CB2 receptors of the endocannabinoid system to give the user a mild body and head high. Delta 9, on the other hand, has a strong affinity to CB1 receptors, resulting in more intense psychoactive effects.

The Legal Status Of Delta 9 In Hawaii

Marijuana contains more than the legal limit of delta 9 THC making it illegal according to federal law except when it is used for medical reasons. Even so, not all states recognize medical marijuana as legal.

Fortunately for Hawaii residents, medical marijuana is considered legal in Hawaii and you can buy it online. In 2000 Hawaii legalized medicinal marijuana through an act of state legislation. Hawaii’s current state laws allow qualifying medical marijuana patients to buy or grow their own cannabis or appoint a caretaker to do so.

In 2019, Hawaii attempted to legalize recreational marijuana for adults above 21 but the bill failed. However, Hawaii decriminalizes possession of up to 3 grams of pot, punishable with a $130 fine. Any possession amount above this limit is punishable by at least 30 days of jail time and a fine.

Is Delta 10 Legal In Hawaii?

Delta 10 is another cannabinoid present in minuscule amounts in cannabis. Delta 10 promotes a sense of well-being and creativity. However, delta 10 extraction and purification are quite uncommon, which makes the products unique and a bit more costly than delta 8 THC. 

Is it legal? Yes - Delta 10 falls under the same law which made delta 8 legal. According to federal law, delta 10 is legal in Hawaii, provided it's a derived product from hemp and not cannabis.

Do You Need A Medical Card To Buy Delta 8 THC In Hawaii?

The answer is no.

Unlike delta 9 or marijuana, you don't need a medical card to purchase delta 8 products. You are eligible to buy delta 8 in any quantity or milligram strength, provided you are 21 or above.

Where To Buy Delta 8 In Hawaii?

Delta 8 in Hawaii and hemp products have become very popular, and delta 8 THC products can be found in almost every dispensary, convenience store, or gas station. Is it advisable to buy your delta 8 products from some of these places that sell hemp goods?

If you want to have a great delta 8 experience, it is not advisable to buy your delta 8 products from gas stations. Quite frankly, it is the last thing you should be doing. This is because stores like convenience stores or gas stations mostly don’t care about stocking their shelves with quality products.

Buying delta 8 online straight from the manufacturer is your surest way to get high-quality products and also enjoy some other great benefits that come with buying online.

Why You Should Buy Your Delta 8 THC Online

Let’s take a quick look at why you need to buy your delta 8 THC online straight from the manufacturer.

Quality Products

Online stores that sell delta 8 products are mostly the manufacturers of the product, for this reason, they take the quality of the products seriously for the sustainability and reputation of the brand. Buying from the source will ensure you get high-quality delta 8 THC products in Hawaii.

Better Prices

Shopping from the source also reduces the prices of the products. Middleman fees will not be added to the price of the product. Aside from this, the delta 8 suppliers may have subscriptions or reward programs for regular delta 8 THC buyers to cut costs. There may also be seasonal discounts or coupons that give buyers the best prices.

Protect Your Privacy

Picking delta 8 THC products from the shelves of local stores is fast, but it is not discreet. Delta 8 online suppliers respect your privacy. Most suppliers ship your delta 8 delivery with discreet packaging. Packages arrive in plain and unmarked boxes with only the company name and your address. This way, your package doesn’t scream delta 8, and it's likely your credit card statement won't either.

Variety Of Products To Choose From

You will also have different brands and products to choose from. If you don't like the reviews or prices of a brand, you can move on to a different brand, or if you would like to try THC vapes or pre-rolls instead of your usual delta 8 gummies, or dropper bottles, you can also do that easily, unlike local stores that carry limited brands or products.

What To Look Out For When Buying Delta 8 THC In Hawaii

The delta 8 market is mostly open and unregulated by the FDA, so you need to be careful when buying a delta 8 product like the THC cartridge in Hawaii to ensure your safety.

Be On The Lookout For Fake Products

Some suppliers sell low-quality or mislabeled products to unsuspecting customers.

Check Customer Reviews

When buying online, always try to read reviews from other users to get a clearer picture of how the product might affect you.

Check The Third-party Lab Results

Third-party tests are important because they ensure you are consuming products that are federally compliant and also free from any residual substance which can be harmful to your health.

Checking these safety boxes before purchasing your delta 8 products will ensure you are buying high-quality products, which will affect your delta 8 THC experience.

Where To Buy Delta 8 In Hawaii

Hemp and its derived products like delta 8 THC are legal to cultivate, possess, sell or buy in the Aloha state as long as it is federally compliant.

You can get delta 8 products the same way you would by most products - from local convenience stores, head shops, or gas stations but buying your delta 8 products from such stores might not be the best option if you want top-quality products.

It may be best to buy online. Buying delta 8 THC from online shops ensures you get higher quality standards delta 8 THC products, better prices, and variety, and it also protects your privacy compared to buying in person from local shops.

Currently, there are no measures in place making is so you can't buy delta 8 THC as a Hawaii resident, users can enjoy their delta 8 THC knowing they are not breaking any state laws and this doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.

If you want to try this legal alternative to delta 9 in Hawaii, we recommend you start with our delta 8 edibles which are quality and federally compliant. We ship to all states that have legalized hemp and its derived products.

Legal Disclaimer: You should still consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding marijuana and how to buy delta 8 THC online, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only. Please seek a doctor’s advice before taking delta 8 THC with any medical conditions, prescription medication, or as a natural alternative to your current regime and milligram strengths. The content in this post is not intended for medical purposes, symptom relief, or medical benefits.

Clayton McCall

Clayton is a Senior Content Specialist, researcher, and holistic healthcare practitioner. Having been in the supplement industry for more than 15 years, Clayton brings a wealth of experience to the delta 8 space. His publications include alternative therapy, stress and coping, and alternative health.