Health & Wellness

Medically Reviewed By:

Nidra Sidhu, M.D. Integrative Medicine

Does Delta 8 Have THC? If So, How Much?

Hemp and delta 9 are veteran players in the market. But these aren't the only hemp products lining the physical and digital shelves of stores. 

A newer contender has risen in popularity—delta 8 THC. If you were to visit your local dispensary or check out e-commerce stores online, you'd probably see delta 8 online somewhere.

As these products garner more attention from the community and media, it isn't surprising that many questions have been raised as well. 

What is delta 8 THC? And if so, how much THC is in delta 8? How does delta 8 compare to delta 9? 

We completely understand—you want to get your hands on any information about this new hemp product before your next shopping run. To learn about does indica make you sleepy or hyper click here. And we want to help you with that. 

This all-in-one guide will explore the ins and outs of delta 8 THC, including its THC content. We'll also cover the legality of delta 8 THC products and the typical effects you'll experience after consuming them. 

What Is Delta 8 THC?

So, what is delta 8? 

Well, delta 8 THC is a compound that can be extracted from the hemp plant.

Similar to the difference between indica vs. sativa - the hemp plant is unique because it contains hundreds of different compounds with varying effects. And one of these compounds is delta 8 THC.

If you're looking for a strain rich in delta 8, though, you'll end up with zero search results. That's because delta 8 THC can only be naturally found in minimal amounts in the hemp plant. Nonetheless, CBD and delta 9 can also be converted into delta 8 THC through a series of chemical processes. 

Delta 8 THC is much newer to the scene compared to its well-known cousin, delta 9. But it is steadily gaining the popularity and attention it deserves. 

Delta 8 THC Vs. Delta 9 THC?

What makes delta 8 THC any different from delta 9? After all, both of them are from the same plant. 

Yes, they're both sourced from the same plant. But even then, these compounds aren't exactly alike. Thanks to a slight difference in one carbon-carbon bond, these compounds do not interact with the receptors in your body in a similar manner. 

In other words, a small difference in molecular structure between delta 8 and delta 9 will alter the effects each compound has on your body. 

So, how do these effects differ? 

Well, people have reported differences in the high they experience with each product. The high from delta 8 gummies is often described as a prolonged, soothing, and gentle type of high. This high doesn't keep you glued on your couch or feeling disorientated throughout the day. 

And based on anecdotal reports from people who have used delta 8 THC, this product may help with:  

And how about delta 9? 

This compound brings about a more hard-hitting type of high with a rapid onset. Due to this high intensity, delta 9 can be overwhelming for some users. 

So if you're new to the space, it's best not to dive right into this. Delta 8 THC offers a more pleasant experience to get your feet wet before deciding whether you want something more intense. Consumers have reported using the products for pain relief and chronic pain though more medical research is needed around these compounds' psychoactive effects.

Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 10 vs. THC-O

Now that you're acquainted with delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC, we'd like to introduce you to a few other compounds—delta 10 and THC-O. These are other popular products lining both physical and digital shelves of various stores. But they aren't the same as delta 8 THC. 

If you're curious about the effects of delta 8 vs. delta 10, here's what you need to know:

THC-O is the shortened version of THC-O-acetate. 

So just to catch you up to speed, delta 8 THC, delta 9 THC, and delta 10 THC are all different forms of THC. But how does THC differ from THC-O?

Well, the biggest difference is where they're sourced from. THC can be naturally found in hemp plants. On the other hand, THC-O is man-made. And they've been specifically synthesized to be at least twice as potent compared to delta 9. This is the best of the pack and definitely not something you should be messing around with. 

But hold up, there's more. Another compound called THCA can be derived from the hemp plant. However, there are also some differences between THC vs. THCA as well, mainly in effects. 

THCA is a precursor to THC, meaning that THCA is converted to THC when the plant dries and during the heating process. But THCA doesn't get you high at all with psychoactive effects, unlike THC. More cannabis research is still required to confirm the experiential and therapeutic benefits of THCA to your body. 

Does Delta 8 Have THC?

Now that we have the nitty-gritty out of the way, let's get down to business. 

We'll begin with the basics. THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). When the term THC is used in online publications, it usually stands for delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta 9 THC). We introduced this compound earlier on. 

It is important to note that delta 8 THC is also a type of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and is a psychoactive compound. So it is important to note if you have fears of adverse effects of safety concerns around THC you should speak with a doctor.

But the delta 8 THC compound itself does not contain delta 9. They are different compounds altogether. 

However, when you buy delta 8 THC products, some of these products may contain a small amount of delta 9 THC. Meanwhile, other products may not contain any traces of THC at all. For instance, Delta North delta 8 gummies 1000 mg contain nondetectable THC. 

You can check the THC content of these products via their lab testing results—which should be made publicly available for transparency purposes. 

To sum it up:

But how much THC is in delta 8?

Well, a delta 8 THC product must contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC to be federally legal. Of course, there are delta 8 THC products that don't contain THC at all.

Delta 8 THC can only be found in small amounts in the hemp plant. However, large volumes of delta 8 THC can be produced by converting CBD or delta 9 into delta 8 THC. This chemical conversion makes it a lot easier to create delta 8 products. But it also ensures that delta 8 products contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC to meet legal requirements. 

Let's dive deeper into this in the next section. 

Is Delta 8 THC Legal?

One of the most common questions we get is, "Is delta 8 legal?" 

Unfortunately, we can't give you a cut-and-dry answer. It is a little complicated, but we'll break it down for you. 

The 2018 Farm Bill is the reason why hemp products are legal on a federal level. In this 2018 Farm Bill, hemp was officially removed from the Controlled Substances Act. However, for a hemp product to be deemed legal, it must contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC. 

You might have noticed that delta 9 THC was explicitly mentioned. So, where does delta 8 THC come in? 

Federal Legality

Well, the 2018 Farm Bill specifically mentioned delta 9, but not delta 8 THC. Hence, delta 8 THC products are federally legal as long as they are hemp-derived and contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC. 

But there's another catch. Just because a product is federally legal, this doesn't automatically make it state-legal as well. Hence, each state gets to decide for itself if delta 8 THC products are legal. Click here to learn about delta 8 in your state.

So, to err on the side of caution, do your own research to find out if a particular product is legal in your state. You don't want to end up on the wrong side of the law. 

How You Can Take Delta 8 Products

Delta 8 THC products come in numerous forms. How you consume delta 8 THC can affect how quickly you experience its effects and how long they last. 

Here are some common forms of delta 8 THC you can try: 

Delta 8 THC Gummies

Consuming delta 8 gummies is a convenient, discreet, and fun way to get your delta 8 THC fix. Gummies are the most popular type of edibles. But you can also find delta 8 THC-infused cookies, brownies, chocolates, cereal, and cakes. 

Edibles take around 15 minutes to 2 hours to activate in your body. However, they last the longest in your system. How long they stay in your system will differ from person to person. 

Delta 8 THC Liquids

You can find delta 8 in the form of tinctures, which are liquid substances you can place and hold under your tongue. The liquid is absorbed through the membranes of your mouth and enters the bloodstream directly. Hence, you'll likely experience the effects 15-30 minutes after consumption. 

Delta 8 Inhalation

The vapor passes through your lungs and into your bloodstream, so inhaling delta 8 in the form of vapor will be the quickest way to get it into your system. However, the therapeutic benefits you experience from this form of delta 8 will not last as long as other methods of consumption. 

Choosing the most suitable form of delta 8 THC may take some trial and error. It really depends on your preferences, health behavior, and tolerance. If you're new to delta 8 THC, we recommend starting at lower doses first to gauge how your body responds to it. 

Conclusion

The answer to the question "Does delta 8 have THC?" is simple. Some delta 8 products may contain small traces of delta 9 THC, while others don't. In any case, the amount of THC in the product will affect its legality. Delta 8 THC is currently legal under federal law.

If you're looking for a delicious and convenient way to consume delta 8 THC, the Delta North delta 8 edibles are a fantastic choice! These regulatory-compliant gummies have been third-party lab tested for safety and quality assurance. You can also purchase delta 8 at convenience stores and local locations.

Perhaps you aren't sure if delta 8 THC is right for you. In that case, the Delta North delta 8 gummies 100 mg offers a budget-friendly way to take these high-quality gummies on a test drive. 

But we bet you'll be back for more! 

Legal Disclaimer: You should still consult an attorney for the best legal advice regarding Delta 8 in your state and questions about the Drug Enforcement Administration, as the material shared here is for informational purposes only. Always speak with a public health professional if you are looking for pain relief or have problems with chronic pain.

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.