Delta 9 THC: Is it better than Delta 8 THC?
As one of the newer trends in the cannabis market, Delta-8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is popping up everywhere these days. If you haven’t tried it and are wondering whether or not it’s better than Delta-9 THC and vice versa, then you’re in the right place! In this post, we’ll highlight what you need to know about Delta 9 and Delta 8 Maryland THC, so you can decide what’s right for you.
A closer look at Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC
With only a minor difference in molecular structure, Delta-8 THC has similar therapeutic, yet milder psychoactive effects in comparison to Delta-9 THC. While it’s not entirely accurate to claim it’s better, hemp-derived Delta-8 THC is a federally legal alternative (as long as it doesn’t exceed 0.3% Delta-9 THC content). It’s an isomer of Delta-9 THC, or what consumers know as traditional cannabis, though Delta-8 THC is less potent and research of its overall effects is still ongoing.
On the other hand, there’s extensive research on Delta-9 THC with a long history of use and efficacy, and it’s strictly regulated. Both cannabinoids have euphoric and calming effects that are helpful for reducing anxiety and nausea.
The truth is, Delta-9 THC is more abundant than Delta-8 THC as a natural extract of hemp and cannabis plants that does not require synthetic conversion. Because Delta-8 THC naturally occurs in small quantities – about 0.01% of hemp plants – it has to be extracted and concentrated to create the end product, which is a difficult process. As such, there are purity and safety concerns regarding Delta-8 THC extraction and production, due to a lack of regulation and inconsistent quality control.
Manufacturers commonly convert hemp-derived CBD into Delta-8 THC through a chemical process called isomerization. Depending on the chemicals used in this process, there could be traces of unknown and unwanted by-products in synthetic Delta-8 THC that may pose safety risks. Diligent producers will extract these impurities from the end product, but many don’t take all the necessary precautions since it’s more expensive and time-consuming. That’s why it’s important to know how Delta-8 THC products are sourced and tested to understand the potential benefits and risks before using them.
Things to consider
Cannabis users can avoid the safety risks of questionable Delta-8 Maryland THC items by finding trustworthy vendors and products that go through third-party lab testing. More importantly, reliable manufacturers maintain transparency and make lab results available to the public (online or with a product certificate), so you can verify the ingredients, purity, and quality.
Fortunately, Charm City Hemp makes it easy for consumers to shop responsibly and have a great Maryland CBD or THC experience because all our products undergo third-party lab testing. Made with premium ingredients, our Delta 8 and Delta 9 Maryland products are the best quality that Baltimore has to offer! Whatever your preferences and needs are, we carry a wide variety of edibles, vape cartridges, and oils/tinctures – so, browse our selection now!