Delta 8 flower and products have been getting a lot of attention over the last year. So, what’s the hype about and how is it made?
Delta 8 Flower is created by adding the Delta 8 Distillate to the flower. One of the most common ways of doing this is by spraying the flower with the distillate. This is quite a complex process, and it involves specialized machinery to ensure that the flower is sprayed evenly and that it dries properly without drying out the CBD flower.
The CBD flower will often require several Delta 8 dustings, or sprays to give the flower a frosty look and to ensure it is evenly coated.
Many consumers are turning to Delta 8 products instead of Delta 9 because of the lighter high with fewer side effects.
The Delta 8 market has taken up a substantial part of the cannabis market share, but it does face problems. Many States are outlawing the sale of Delta 8 products unless they are sold in designated dispensaries of medicinal marijuana clinics.
This can be attributed to States wanting to ensure that they are receiving the taxes due to them from the sale of cannabis and cannabis and cannabis related products. This tax can vary from 20% – 50% so it is in States best interest to ensure they are getting their piece of the pie. If Delta 8 is sold in gas stations, smoke shops and stores they would only be receiving sales tax.
Legality of Delta 8 Products
Many States are in the process of changing the laws on Delta 8 and how it can be sold in 2021. Delta 8 should be legal provided it is an isomer of CBD. The Farm Bill in 2018 declared that CBD and its isomers and derivatives are legal provided they contain under 0.3% THC Delta 9.
Delta-8 is found in very small quantities in cannabis. It was first discovered in Israel in the 1960’s. During small clinical trials it was shown to be a effective at fighting cancer.
Delta 9 is what is found in higher concentrations in cannabis you would purchase in a dispensary or clinic. Delta 8 is only found in small amounts, so it has primarily gone unnoticed.
The US government conducted clinical trials on Delta 8 back in the 1980’s and they found it to be very effective in shrinking tumors and killing the tumors stem cells making replication of cancer cells impossible.
The government buried these trials and made it impossible for any more trials to be conducted on Delta 8. So why the flood of Delta 8 products into the market?
Simple.
Scientists have long known of ways to convert cannabinoids into other cannabinoids using heating and chemistry. The boom in CBD has seen a surplus in CBD raw materials making these ideal candidates to be converted into Delta 8.
This process is quite safe provided all of the residual solvent matter is removed, leaving only the Delta 8 distillate which will usually test between 80-90% pure. The distillate is usually a clear color to a light rose color. It is imperative that companies using Delta 8 Distillate in their products have a lab COA as well as a lab report to detect any solvents or chemicals left in the product.
Consuming Delta 8 THC
Delta 8 Vapes are a popular choice. Vaping has a fast uptake making it a great choice for treating pain, nausea, and inflammation.
Delta 8 & Delta 9 THC both convert to Delta 11 when they pass through the digestive tract. This makes edibles and gummies not the greatest choice if you are looking to ensure you are getting Delta 8 into your system.
Tinctures are a good option as they are absorbed by the receptors under the tongue. They are delivered to the bloodstream ensuring around 40% of the Delta 8 gets into your bloodstream. Tinctures are available in a variety of strengths and flavors.
Crumble and Shatter are both great ways to consume Delta 8 as they can be vaped or inhaled ensuring that a high percentage of the Delta 8 is bioavailable to the body. They typically require specific apparatus like a dab rig or a special vaporizer.
Delta 8 is a versatile cannabinoid. There is no doubt there will be many more clinical trials in the upcoming years that will show it to be a powerful, healing cannabinoid.
Sarah Rutherford - Contributor
Sarah has been interested in plant medicine for over 20 years. She draws on her experience working in the health and wellness field and applies it to the CBD industry.
