Delta 8: The Next Big Thing in Cannabis

Over the course of the past decade, the popularity of marijuana has skyrocketed. Marijuana use has existed for a long time, but the laws reflecting that popularity are only just now catching up. 

The shifting laws around the legalization of cannabis have opened the door to scientific studies and medical research. More and more exciting discoveries are being made every day about this incredible plant. One of those discoveries is a second psychoactive ingredient called delta 8. Delta 8 has some tremendous benefits. Because of this, it appears that delta 8 will soon be the next big thing for cannabis enthusiasts. 

What is Delta 8?

Delta 8 is a cannabinoid. Cannabinoids are simply the name given to the various molecular compounds that make up the cannabis plant. You are probably familiar with THC. THC's official name is delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Say that ten times fast. Delta 9 THC is a psychoactive ingredient found in high levels within cannabis. This is what makes you high when you ingest marijuana.

People eventually realized that you could remove the THC from the cannabis plant to create a piece of matter that is purely THC. The substances produced from the THC pulled out of the plant are referred to as concentrates. Concentrates can be turned into many things, including wax, shatter, vaporizer cartridges, tinctures, pills, or edibles. 

You've probably also heard of CBD. CBD is another cannabinoid that is turned into a concentrate and put into products. But unlike THC, it is not psychoactive. Meaning it won't get you high. But CBD does have a lot of great benefits. Users report feeling more calm and relaxed after taking CBD. You can also use it to alleviate pain. Another cool thing about CBD is the fact that it is legal. 

Delta 8 is just another cannabinoid that can be pulled from the plant and turned into a concentrate. Delta 8 shares many similar traits to both delta 9 and CBD but make no mistake; it is a different compound. Delta 8 THC has its own unique characteristics and structure.

The best of both worlds

Delta 8, like delta 9 is a molecule called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It's an isomer, meaning that it has a slightly different structure but still shares an equivalent molecular nature. And just like delta 9 it is a psychotropic, meaning that it will get you high. It also shares the same federal classification as CBD. In other words, it's completely legal. 

The FARM Bill

The reason delta 8 and CBD are legal has to do with a bill passed in 2018 called the FARM bill. The main purpose of this bill was to create a distinction between marijuana and hemp. Hemp is a plant belonging to the cannabis family. It is an amazing crop with many industrial properties. Hemp is used to make fabric and can also be turned into a cooking ingredient such as hemp seed oil. But for a long time, the US has been unable to utilize these properties as hemp was made illegal by the controlled substances act of 1970. 

The government wanted to change hemp's legal classification to free it up for farming and industrial use. But they also wanted to maintain the classification of marijuana as an illegal substance. To do this, they put key wording into the bill. This wording states that a cannabis-related substance is only considered illegal if it contains more than 0.3% THC. Since hemp contains minimal THC (less than 0.3%) it does not face any legal constraints. 

In the same way that concentrates are made by extracting specific chemicals from marijuana, they can also be made by extracting those same chemicals from hemp. The only difference is that it takes much more hemp since the chemical percentage is much lower comparatively. CBD and delta 8 products are made by extracting concentrates from hemp, and so long as those products contain less than 0.3% THC within them, they are just as legal as any vitamin or supplement. 

The rise of CBD

Since the passing of the FARM bill, the popularity and utilization of CBD products have exploded. CBD is everywhere. Don't believe me? Type in CBD near me and see how many choices come up. The reason for this popularity is in part due to the many health-related benefits of CBD. The view of CBD has changed from something used to get high to something that can have many positive physical and even spiritual impacts. But the biggest reason for this explosion has to do with the fact that anyone can sell these products. 

Many CBD stores have opened up. You can also get CBD at vitamin shops, pet stores, pharmacies, even large-scale retail supplement stores like GNC sell CBD products. 

A big part of a product's success has to do with accessibility. How available is your product? How easy is it to obtain? The issue of accessibility is the largest problem that the marijuana industry currently faces. Marijuana is now legal, whether recreationally or medically, in the majority of states. However, it still meets many strict regulations due to its federal classification. In most states purchasing marijuana is not as simple as walking into a store and buying it. Even in states where you can walk into a store off the street, you must first be permitted entry by an off-putting armed guard. You also may have to wait a long time as they can only allow a certain amount of customers inside at a time. On top of that, you can only pay with cash. While these reasons may not be enough to deter some customers, purchasing marijuana doesn't even come close to the ease of buying delta 8 or CBD. 

The inevitable rise of delta 8

As we've seen with CBD, a cannabis-related product free from legal restriction has a massive potential to blow up. Inevitably, delta 8 will rise to the same mainstream level as CBD. This is because delta 8 has all the same benefits as CBD, things like relaxation, calmness, sleep aid, and pain reduction. It also has the same psychoactive properties that have made cannabis so popular—things like happiness, mood enhancement, joy, and euphoria. But the psychoactive element in delta 8 is much less intense than delta 9. So delta 8 actually produces a smoother, more mellow high that many people find preferable to that of delta 9. 

Delta 8 is superior in many ways to both CBD and marijuana. You can use it medically or recreationally. You can use it to help with chronic pain, or you can take it as a fun way to relax and chill out. The fact that it is legal means that it's effortless and convenient to purchase. Online retailers like Elyxr will ship delta 8 products directly to your door. Check out our line of delta 8 tinctures. 

At the moment, Delta 8 remains pretty unknown to the general public. But as more and more people begin to experience the benefits, this will quickly change. It will not be long before delta 8 is a household name. While some states such as Arizona and Utah do have restrictions, delta 8 products are available in the majority of states. We have some of the highest quality delta 8 currently available. But don't take our word for it; check out our COA's for proof. We offer same-day shipping on all orders placed before 4 PM. Click here to see if delta 8 is available in your state.