Delta 9 and Delta 8 THC both have similar names and similar structures and are derived from the Sativa cannabis plant family, making them easy to confuse. If you have been researching these cannabinoids, you probably found many products on the market that contain them. As they have become legal on a federal level, their popularity has grown tremendously due to the effects they provide.
However, before you proceed and purchase any product, it is necessary to get more familiar with their origin, the benefits they give, and the differences they have. If this topic interests you, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will discuss Delta 9 vs Delta 8 and what is important to know about these two cannabinoids.
List Of Top Brands For The Best Delta 9 And Delta 8 Products
- Exhale Wellness
- Budpop
- MoonWlker
- DiamondCBD
- Everest
Where are both Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC derived from?
Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC are cannabinoids that are found in the Cannabis Sativa Plant. However, there are different types of plants that provide some major distinctions. The main difference is the amount of Delta 9 THC they contain and their legality. The hemp plant needs to have less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC per dry weight to be considered legal to use.
Otherwise, it falls into the category of the marijuana plant. Aside from Delta 9 THC concentration, both cannabinoids have similar constituents such as CBD, CBG, CBN, terpenes, and others. Additionally, the Sativa Cannabis plant derives into female and male plants that differ in how quickly they both grow.
Differences and Similarities Between Hemp Plants and Marijuana Plants
Hemp plants are grown outdoors in suitable conditions, while marijuana is usually grown indoors. With that being said, both plants are very absorbent, meaning that they can extract all chemicals, pollutants, and solvents that are present in the soil. For this reason, when looking to buy Delta 8 or Delta 9 THC products, it is necessary to check whether they are made out of organically grown hemp to avoid putting your health at risk.
Moreover, the growing conditions can affect the quality and the safety of the final form of the product, so they are crucial to take into consideration before you make any purchase. The products that you buy shouldn’t contain pesticides, chemicals, and other harmful compounds that are very dangerous for one’s health.
Federal Legalization Of Hemp
Now that you are more familiar with hemp and marijuana plants, we can proceed to discuss something also very significant, which is their legal status. The marijuana plant is illegal on the federal level, while the hemp plant is legal as it contains less than 0.3 % Delta 9 THC in dry weight. As a result, hemp-derived Delta 8 THC products are considered legal on a federal level, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
In the following states, there are restrictions regarding the usage of Delta 8 THC products: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Michigan, North Dakota and Connecticut.
Additional Details
As we can see, the primary determinant of their legality is the Delta 9 THC concentration. However, even though it is illegal, some states allow the usage of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes. On the other hand, some states have restrictions even when it comes to hemp-derived products such as Delta 8 products. For this reason, it is necessary to check the laws in your states regarding hemp and marijuana before you purchase any product to avoid getting in trouble with the law.
States Where Marijuana is Legal
As of right now, recreational marijuana is allowed in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, California, Connecticut, Guam, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Still, some states have some requirements and special rules regarding the usage of marijuana, such as where it is grown, the amount that one person can have, and others, so it is always necessary to check the laws before you buy any product from a store or an online provider. Let’s take a look at Delta 9 vs Delta 8 differences and get into more details about the two cannabinoids that you can find in both of these plants.
What Exactly is Delta 9 THC?
Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol or Delta 9 THC is present in the Cannabis Sativa plant, known as the compound that provides one of a kind experience. The way it provides effects is by affecting the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your brain’s nervous system. When these receptors are stimulated, the ECS influences how the body reacts to pain, controls hunger, and experiences different emotions, which by doing so affects the mood.
Delta 9 THC is known for being the cannabinoid that provides the potency of the products and what we expect when we think of THC. In lower doses, it is used for the potential therapeutic benefits it provides, such as relaxation, improving mood, relaxing muscles, and improving sleep quality.
In comparison, in higher doses, it has psychoactive properties that can lead to euphoria, anxiety, increased heart rate, and other similar symptoms. Therefore, even though it is non-toxic and safe, when you are consuming Delta 9 products, it is necessary to know the right dosage for you and not exceed the limit.
Delta 9 THC Effects
It is known that Delta 9 THC stimulates the CB1 receptors in the brain that are responsible for making decisions and memory. Higher dosage can provide effects such as perceptual and visual alterations, restlessness, anxiety, excitement, euphoria, and other similar effects. Some people enjoy such effects and the out worldly sensations, while for others, it can be a scary experience. Hence, knowing the right dosage when consuming Delta 9 products is vital as everyone has different body tolerance.
Due to its psychoactive properties in higher concentrations, Delta 9 falls into the category of substances that have a high potential for abuse. Still, Delta 9 THC is also used for treatment as it can provide calmness, muscle relaxation, stress-relieving sensation, improved mood, and similar benefits.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC is also a cannabinoid that is a constituent of the marijuana plant or industrial hemp plant. It provides all the beneficial properties of THC but without the overstimulating effects of Delta 9. As a result, Delta 8 is less potent than its more potent ‘cousin’ Delta 9 THC.
This cannabinoid can also be found in full-spectrum CBD products, and, when combined, they might provide therapeutic and healing properties of relaxation and improved mood. This cannabinoid is found in a range of products that are very popular on the market due to the combination of uplifting and therapeutic properties it provides. Delta 8 THC is also legal in most states in the US.
Delta 8 Effects on you
In order to provide the desired effects, Delta 8 THC interacts with the same receptors in the cannabinoid system as Delta 9 THC. However, it doesn’t stay bound for a long time, so as a result, the effects are milder and less intense than those of Delta 9 THC.
As a milder THC version with less intense psychoactive properties, Delta 8 THC is commonly used among users for improving appetite, sleep quality, mood, reducing stress and inflammation, and for other potential health benefits.
As opposed to Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 can only be found in smaller amounts in the cannabis plant, and for that reason, it takes more effort to be extracted, and the process is very costly. This means that it is often produced in labs using different extraction methods.
Delta 8 vs Delta 9 Dosing
No matter what cannabinoid you go for, you should start slowly with a lower dosage and potency and increase according to your tolerance. This is essential to avoid severe side effects and other uncomfortable symptoms.
For Delta 8 THC, the advised dosage is between 10mg to 60mg, while for Delta 9, the dosage is lower, varying between 5mg and 30mg. It is vital to remember that everyone has different body tolerance, metabolism as well as needs and preferences, so the dosage for you might not be the same as somebody else’s.
If you are not sure, you can search for dosage charts or consult a medical professional on what is suitable for you, especially if you are also using other medications. Equally essential to mention is that when purchasing both Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC products, it is necessary to look for brands that offer more potency options and start with the lowest one as a beginner.
How to Select THC products brand For High-Quality Product
As we have already mentioned, there is an abundance of Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC products on the market. For this reason, finding the right product out of so many is not an easy task to accomplish in the slightest. Companies are competing to provide the best Delta 9 vs Delta 8 options that all customers will love and enjoy.
There is a lot of research that goes into the decision-making process in order to find the best option for yourself. Luckily, we have done exactly that and set strict criteria on which we examine each brand. The brands we have mentioned on our list tick all the boxes regarding these requirements. Still, if you are thinking of buying a product from any online provider, you can make use of this guide as well.
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Ingredients
Quality is always a top priority for selection for us, so to select the best product, we check its ingredients as they heavily impact the product’s quality. We always go for only natural ingredients, and it is a bonus if the product is vegan-based and cruelty-free or gluten-free as well. Additionally, we make sure to avoid products that contain preservatives or artificial additives, including colors and flavors or other chemicals and GMOs.
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Third-Party Product Testing
A crucial determinant of whether some product is high-quality and safe is if it has undergone third-party lab testing. This is because during the testing, each product is tested for purity, potency, and safety to consume and whether they are made under strict quality control conditions. In today’s day and age, each brand needs to implement such testing and also be transparent and publish the lab reports on their site. The brands that don’t enforce either get eliminated by us during our selection process.
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Variety and Price
A lot of customers like to try new flavors and potencies, so when we are examining the brand, we always look for variety. This way, the customers don’t have to work for products from different providers but find what they are looking for in one place. The price is another factor to consider. Even though the process of creating high-quality products requires skills and knowledge, and it is time-consuming, the products should be reasonably priced.
Often, when a product is overly cheap, it can be a sign of poor quality, but that is not always the case. Therefore, we always go for products that are safe to consume, potent enough to provide the desired effects, and budget-friendly for the customers.
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Shipping Policies and Customer Service
Online shopping is very convenient as it allows you to view and purchase products from the comfort of your own home. Therefore, fast shipping is a must, so when we select products, it is something that we take into consideration. The customers don’t like waiting for days to receive their favorite products, so we go for brands that offer fast delivery and free or at least affordable shipping.
Aside from shipping, exclusive offers and discounts, as well as money-back guarantees, can also contribute to the shopping experience. There are many customers who feel a lot better purchasing products from brands that offer a return policy, especially if they are buying for the first time. An active and friendly customer service shows that the brand is serious about the customer’s needs, which is something that distinguishes a brand from many others on the market.
Molecular Structure of Delta 8 and Delta 9
When we are talking about a chemical structure, we must mention that Delta 8 is an isomer of Delta 9 and their chemical formulation is similar, but the molecule structure is different. Besides the similar chemical structure, even the slightest difference can lead to different effects, and for that reason, these two cannabinoids differ. The main thing that distinguished both cannabinoids is the placement of the two carbon atom’s double bonds. Such molecular placement also determined their names as the double bond on Delta 9 THC is on the 9th atom, whereas the double bond on Delta 8 THC is on the 8th.
Extraction Methods Of D8 And D9
The extraction process is a process during which the cannabinoids are extracted from the cannabis plant, and it is very significant during the whole manufacturing method. There are three types of extraction methods that the manufacturers implement. Let’s briefly talk about each of the methods.
THC – Extraction Methods
Alcohol extraction
If you are not going for companies that implement CO2 extraction, this method is to go for. As the name itself suggests, alcohol is used in order to pull the cannabinoids out of the cannabis plant. However, such a method might not be suitable for people that have a history of alcohol addiction.
CO2 extraction
This is the safest and the cleanest method of extraction, and it is an industry-standard. This is because such extraction has the ability to turn liquid into gas. Using high pressure and low temperatures, CO2 turns into a liquid form which is used for extracting the cannabinoids out of the cannabis plant. Once they are extracted, the solution is then heated up, and the pressure is relieved, leaving the product pure. This extraction method, however, is more costly than the others.
Solvent extraction
That leaves us to the solvent extraction method during which petroleum-based chemicals are used to pull the cannabinoids out of the cannabis plant. With that being said, with this method, some solvents may be left behind on the final product, making the product risky for the health.
Delta 9 vs Delta 8 – Conclusion
We hope that this article will inform you about all you need to know about Delta 8 and Delta 9 cannabinoids. Now that you are more familiar with their similarities and differences, you can proceed to look for a product that will be suitable for you based on your needs and your preferences. As we have researched, Exhale Wellness and Budpop are two brands that are ruling the hemp market in this vertical. Even though their chemical structure is similar, both cannabinoids are different and provide various effects. As a result, the brands provide a range of products to select, based on what you need.
There are also differences when it comes to their legality, so it is necessary to check the laws in your states before purchasing your favorite Delta 8 THC or Delta 9 THC product. No matter which option you choose to go for, make sure to maintain the dosage and look for a product that is effective, potent, and safe to consume and which will give you a pleasant experience and not put your health at risk.