Delta 8 THC Explained: A Complete Guide

As the craze of delta 8 THC talk continues, you might find yourself a little lost in the discussion if you’re not entirely sure what it is. While there’s plenty of jargon and scientific terms that can complicate it, it doesn’t have to be difficult to understand what exactly delta 8 is. 


Delta 8 THC is a cannabinoid naturally present in the Cannabis sativa plant. Recently, the isomerization of CBD into delta 8 THC has made this compound readily available for purchase in the consumer market. Delta 8 THC has similar but lessened effects as Delta 9 THC (commonly referred to as marijuana).  


While that’s delta 8 in a nutshell, there’s much more to it. Of over 100 cannabinoids to choose from, there are a few reasons why delta 8 THC is getting all of the attention. Let’s take a closer look to see exactly what makes this cannabinoid so noteworthy. ​

What is Delta 8 THC? ​

Delta 8 THC is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that, in the consumer market, is developed from CBD. If you’re just learning about cannabis, that might seem like a lot of foreign words thrown together, so let’s break them down. 

• Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid naturally found in cannabis.
• Cannabinoids are compounds naturally found within the cannabis plant.
• Hemp refers to Cannabis sativa plants with less than 0.3% delta 9 THC.
• Marijuana refers to Cannabis sativa plants with more than 0.3% delta 9 THC.
• Delta 9 THC is the main psychoactive compound found in the cannabis plant.
• CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid naturally found in cannabis.

As you’ll notice, “hemp” and “marijuana” are different names for the same plant, and the main difference is merely a legal classification. The 2018 farm bill made it legal for hemp to be grown in the US. 


While the hype might seem to have been a recent development, delta 8 THC is nothing new. As mentioned, it’s naturally found in the cannabis plant and has been the subject of several studies dating back to the 1970s. In these studies, it’s been found to have similar effects to delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC has also proven to be a more stable compound than delta 9. It’s even been used as an anti-emetic for children and can be particularly helpful to cancer patients. 


What’s kept delta 8 from the spotlight has less to do with its qualitative features and more to do with its quantitative features. See, delta 8 THC is far less present in cannabis than other cannabinoids like delta 9 THC and CBD. Extracting it from the plant simply wasn’t cost-effective. Now that more research has been done and items are more readily available, delta 8 THC has become accessible 


So, why delta 8 THC? In short, it boasts many of the same benefits as delta 9 THC and is easier to get ahold of. Thanks to recent legislative changes within the US, CBD is becoming increasingly available across the country. As a result and because CBD is not nearly as restricted as THC-dominant marijuana, CBD is the natural source from which to derive delta 8 THC. 

How is Delta 8 THC Made 

As mentioned before, delta 8 THC is a naturally present compound in cannabis plants. It can be extracted from the plants, but it is not abundant enough in cannabis plants to make it a viable option. Instead, delta 8 has been made readily available through the power of chemistry. The process is relatively simple, with just a few steps. 

While this process is relatively simple, we don’t advise that you attempt it yourself. Improper synthesis of delta 8 made by inexperienced individuals can leave some ingredients in the product that could be health hazards, namely the acid and the solvent used. 
It’s best you leave it to the professionals to ensure a safer product. That way, you can relish in its medicinal benefits instead of worrying if your chemistry skills are up to snuff. Even if you aced chemistry in high school, odds are you weren’t working with cannabinoids. Well, at least you weren’t supposed to be. ​

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Delta 8 vs Delta 9 vs CBD 

While Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC may have exceedingly similar molecular structures and similar effects (to varying degrees), the two remain significantly different. CBD is quite different from these two, most notably being that it is not psychoactive. From legality to functionality, there are many reasons why you might choose one over the other. ​

The Different Ways to Ingest Delta 8 THC / The Different Forms of Delta 8 

Just like you might find THC-dominant marijuana products, Delta 8 THC can be found in a great variety of products to suit your needs and preferences. It is both smokeable and ingestable, so we at Zar have you covered with everything from carts to gummies. Zar is a veteran-owned brand, here to serve you with quality cannabis therapy products. Stop into any of our locations in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio to see how we can serve you! ​

Vape Cartridges

Premium Infused Flower

Honey Stick

Gummies

Tinctures

Capsules

DAB

Pre Rolls

Hemp Cigars

Potential Side Effects of Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 THC and Delta 9 THC will have mostly similar side effects. Most of them are entirely manageable so long as you’re prepared for them. As you try delta 8 and gain an understanding of it, you’ll better understand how it affects you.


Dry mouth and eyes 
Similar to Delta 9 THC–the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis–delta 8 THC can cause dry mouth and eyes for some people. This is usually easily remedied by drinking plenty of water and having some eye drops on hand if need be. Luckily, having a dry mouth from delta 8 doesn’t mean you’re dehydrated but still encourages you to drink water. So, if anything, you’ll be more hydrated after trying delta 8. 


Raised appetite 
Yes, delta 8 still brings out the munchies in you! While this a side effect, this can be incredibly helpful to some people. Those who struggle with eating disorders or other afflictions that can make it challenging to eat will relish their newfound ability to get sufficient nutrition. 


Drug testing 
Drug tests that look for marijuana generally look for the presence of THC. They may not discriminate between delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC, and even if they do, delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC are nearly identical in molecular structure. They can be easily mistaken for one another. They also elicit similar chemical responses from the body, which can lead to a positive test 


Impaired ability to drive 
Just like marijuana, delta 8 THC can impair your ability to drive. When you first try out delta 8, start slow and be sure that you are in a controlled environment. Impaired driving is against the law nationwide, so be sure you know how delta 8 affects you. As you gain such an understanding, you’ll be better able to see how long delta 8 stays in your system.


Where to get Delta 8 THC 

Being that delta 8 THC isn’t regulated in the same way as delta 9 THC, you’ll find it to be much more readily available. At ZAR, we’re eager to supply you with the delta 8 THC products that can help you maximize your life. See us at any of our seventeen locations across Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio for a free consultation with one of our CannaTherapy experts, or let us give you a call! 


You can even order delta 8 THC online! While CBD products are legal in most states, you may need to check your local legislation to be sure. Delta 8 THC and CBD are treated differently by the law, even though delta 8 THC is derived from CBD. 


You’ll want to be sure to get your delta 8 THC from a trustworthy source to ensure you’re getting the premium quality product you deserve. That’s why all of our products undergo 3rd party lab reporting to assure you’re getting exactly what you’re expecting. You can trust ZAR to help with all of your delta 8 needs! While you’re here, be sure to check out our variety of other CBD and medicinal products. 


Recent Cannabis and Delta 8 Legislature (June 2021) 

Medical and recreational marijuana have been big topics in local Texas legislature as lawmakers were looking to reform cannabis policies. Six bills related to cannabis were on the table for the 2021 session, two of which have passed. Those bills include: 
 

• HB 567: As related to cannabinoids, this bill will disallow the termination of a parent-child relationship based on evidence of the parent administering low-THC cannabis to their child in accordance with chapter 169. Chapter 169 approved the prescription of low-THC cannabis by a qualified physician to individuals with certain medical conditions.
• HB 1535: This bill will establish review boards for the compassionate-use program, the purpose of which will be to facilitate the evaluation and approval of research programs for low-THC cannabis. For the purposes of this bill, low-THC cannabis means cannabis plants with a 1% or lower THC content.

All of that legal jargon can be hard to follow, but you can rest assured these bills are implementing positive change in the industry. With HB 567, parents can fulfill what a certified physician has prescribed for their child without the fear of having their child taken from them. HB 1535 will promote research and help people realize the medicinal benefits of CBD. 


Now, while delta 8 THC wasn’t originally in these In the 2021 legislative session, there were some concerns that delta 8 THC would face additional regulations. An amendment was proposed to HB 2593 that would implicate delta 8 THC, but the bill did not pass. So while there was a chance these bills could affect delta 8 THC, none of these bills will alter your access to it. That’s right, you’re free to enjoy all of its medicinal value! Stop into one of our stores in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio to see what delta 8 THC can do for you.