If you’ve been researching marijuana and hemp-based substances, you’ve probably come across the term Delta-8 more than a few times. Delta-8 THC has gradually become the new favorite in the weed community, with almost every company offering a multitude of products and supplements based around it.
Unfortunately, every industry has its share of cheap, unverified, and potentially dangerous knock-offs, and the Delta-8 is no exception. Buying Delta-8 supplements is not exactly easy. Due to this product’s recent nature, you might find it difficult to know which supplements to avoid and which ones to go for. Here, we will discuss some potential red flags for Delta-8 supplements. But before that, let’s take a look at what Delta-8 even is.
What Is Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC is a new variant of Tetrahydrocannabinol that is derived from the hemp plant. Those who consume marijuana for recreational purposes favor strains with high amounts of THC, specifically Delta-9 THC. The meaning behind these names becomes clearer when you understand their relationship in the molecular structure of cannabis itself.
Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 are atoms that form a double bond in the molecular chain. The vital difference between the two is that Delta-8 forms that bond on the 8th carbon chain, so you can guess where Delta-9 forms that bond. This may look like an anatomically small difference, but the way your brain receives them is quite different. Delta-9 THC is responsible for the psychotropic effects of cannabis, but Delta-8 gives similar effects while eliminating undesirable effects like paranoia and anxiety.
How Is It Made?
Delta-8 THC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, but it does so in extremely small concentrations. It is not viable to naturally produce Delta-8, so most supplements you will find are manufactured through a controlled chemical reaction.
Since the controlled reaction is simple to replicate, you will come across multiple variants of cheap knock-offs that claim to have Delta-8 THC. Let’s take a look at some ways you can avoid these knock-offs.
Seller Accreditation
Due to the murky position of the Federal Legal system on cannabis, there is a ton of paperwork when trying to manufacture or sell THC products. If anyone wishes to sell these supplements, they need to get permission from the relevant state authorities due to the fact that only 35 states in the US have made cannabis consumption legal.
This means the seller will need to have manufacturing units that meet safety standards, lab analysis for every strain they are selling, and appropriate licenses for those sales. In short, don’t buy Delta-8 from a friend. Please buy it from a verified and authorized seller.
Color
It is an easier way to determine the quality of the Delta-8 you are purchasing. If the supplement you are purchasing has a liquid with a dark hue, or if it is tinted red, then you’d be better off not buying it. These colors usually indicate a lack of cleaning the product post isomerization.
Some sellers may tell you that this is the oxidation of the product, but that isn’t true because oxidation can be identified by a small top layer of color and not the full product. Only go for distillates that are rose-colored or yellow.
Clarity
Another test that can be done visually is the clarity test. Delta-8 supplements are mostly in a liquid form that is created by distillation. The distillation process itself is a form of refinement, which means that a distillate of Delta-8 would be its cleanest and most refined form. Now, if a distillate is not cleaned or refined correctly, it will show.
If the Delta-8 supplement you are buying is clouded or foggy, then you know you have to avoid it. Pick only the supplements which are clear and don’t have any discoloration.
Potency
While this is something that is left up to your personal choice, the potency of the Delta-8 supplement you buy will have some influence on the type of experience you will have. If you look at any lab report of a Delta-8 product, you will notice that the common range for potency is between 85 and 99%.
The products with a low potency of Delta 8 have an acidic precursor that is harmful to humans. Though most verified stores will sell highly potent supplements, it doesn’t hurt to check the lab reports once before your purchase.
Bottomline
Delta-8 THC is federally legal and a much better option for people who want to use cannabis for its medicinal benefits rather than recreational ones. There are a large number of unverified sellers in the market that will try to sell you supplements that could potentially be dangerous to consume. Stick with labs and manufacturers that remain transparent in their operations and are officially licensed when buying Delta-8 THC.