Delta 10-THC

Delta 10 is the latest and greatest cannabinoid. Manufacturers are pulling delta 10 out of hemp to create a legal cannabis product that gets you high. This product is steadily growing in popularity as cannabis-related products are becoming more mainstream overall. Online retailers are popping up all over the internet who sell delta 10 products spurring many questions, including legality and safety. In this article, we will address everything you need to know about Delta 10-THC. 

What is D10 THC?

Delta 10 is a cannabinoid. If you’ve ever heard of Delta 8, or CBD, you probably have a pretty good idea of what that entails. Cannabinoids are molecules that naturally exist within the cannabis plant. There are over 110 different cannabinoids. When these molecules are ingested, they have a unique interaction with a system in our body known as the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. 

The ECS contains specialized receptors and enzymes. These receptors provide a  perfectly tailored medium for the cannabinoids to latch on to. The ECS plays a prominent role in things such as sleep, mood, and appetite. This is why cannabis products produce effects such as mood enhancement, appetite stimulation, and sleep aid. Without the ECS, cannabis would not affect us. Because of this, some scientists have speculated that cannabis must have some connection to human biology and evolution. 

What is the difference between THC and Delta 9 THC?

If you are confused about the difference between THC and Delta 9 THC, there is none. You see, delta 9 THC and THC are actually the exact same thing.THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is a remarkable molecule found in cannabis. It has especially potent psychoactive properties, and researchers believe this is due to a double bond on the ninth rung in its chain of carbon atoms. Thus, the molecule was given the official name delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol or delta 9 THC for short. A double-bonded carbon of this sort is extremely rare to find in nature, making THC a very unique substance.

Things get a little tricky when we start talking about delta 8-THC and delta 10-THC. Delta 8 and delta 10 are both isomers of delta 9. Isomers are compounds with the same types of atoms and the same number of atoms but with a different arrangement of those atoms. Put another way; these two substances are too different to be considered the same molecule--but too similar to be considered different molecules. Delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10 are all THC, meaning they have 21 carbon atoms, 30 hydrogen atoms, and 2 oxygen atoms. All three molecules contain a double-bonded carbon as well. But the difference comes in the location of that double bond. Delta 8’s double bond is on the ninth carbon, delta 9’s is on the ninth, and delta 10’s is on the tenth. 

While these differences may seem minute, they have implications on the effects of these substances when ingested. Delta 9 is the original, and so its psychoactive properties are the most potent. Since d8 and d10 are one step away (either above or below), they have just about the same effect as d9, but a less potent one. D8 and d10 are simply the less extreme versions of d9. 

How is Delta 10-THC legal? 

Knowing that delta 10 can get you high, and knowing that at a molecular level, it is nearly identical to your typical THC, it may be hard for you to believe that d10 is legal. But that’s the truth. Delta 10-THC is 100% legal under federal law. The reason for this has everything to do with the Farm Bill of 2018. The original purpose of this bill was to free up hemp from the legal restrictions it faced due to its association with marijuana. 

Cannabis is an overarching term that encompasses both marijuana and hemp. While hemp and marijuana are quite similar, the difference lies in their concentrations of THC. While marijuana has exceptionally high levels of THC, hemp has little to none. Because hemp has so many industrial uses and hardly contains any THC, it no longer made sense to continue outlawing the crop. So with the passing of the farm bill, any cannabis-related substance containing less than 0.3% delta 9 THC became legal. But this also opened the door for other cannabinoids like CBD, delta 8, and delta 10. Since they are not delta 9, they became legal as well. 

How old do you have to be to purchase delta 10?

This issue of age restriction is handled on a state-by-state basis. Each state creates its own rules on how old someone must be to purchase delta 10 legally. By and large, most states require you to be a minimum of 21 years of age. But select states have that age requirement lowered to 18. The laws around delta 10 closely mimic that of delta 8. To check the specific laws regarding your state, click here.

Delta 10 THC products

There is a wide variety of products you can buy that contain delta 10 THC. The most common items include gummies, tinctures, or cartridges. These products are made by extracting the delta 10 out of hemp and turning it into a concentrate. The concentrate is then infused into the product and enters the bloodstream through either the stomach or the lungs. 

Another popular way to consume delta 10 is with d10 infused hemp flower. This flower can be rolled into a joint or smoked out of a bong, just as you would with marijuana. 

Is delta 10 safe?

Delta 10 is a naturally occurring organic substance. Because of this, it is entirely safe for human consumption. But this is a very new market, and some online retailers may lie about what is actually in their goods. It is not uncommon to find someone claiming to sell delta 10 carts or gummies that have little to no delta 10 in them. To verify that the site you are purchasing delta 10 through is legitimate, look for an in-depth lab report. This report should give you a detailed description of what exactly is in the delta 10 product you are buying.