Delta-8-THC Flower is a popular new method to consume Delta-8. This cannabinoid is in fact psychoactive, despite being derived from legal hemp flower.
If you’re familiar with how Delta-8 is made, then you know it is a complex process that involves converting CBD extract into a psychoactive form or isomer.
But why can’t you extract Delta-8-THC directly from the source?
It’s complicated. However, we’ll start with the basics.
What is Delta 8 Flower?
The myriad of high-THC cannabis strains popping up around the world are a result of dedicated cannabis breeders. Breeders and geneticists work together to crossbreed strains not otherwise possible in nature. Such as strains that contain high levels of CBG, and other cannabinoids.
Delta 8 THC Flower: Implications
Delta-8-THC naturally occurs in cannabis plants but in very low quantities. Usually less than 1 percent!
This means that Delta-8-THC can be obtained from natural cannabis material but it is not very efficient and would be prohibitively expensive for the average consumer.
Remember, Delta-8-THC is a byproduct of Delta-9 degradation. Legally, hemp materials (the legal type of cannabis) can contain only 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Delta 8 is not the only cannabinoid that’s a result of delta 9 degradation. In fact, Delta-9 THC also degrades into CBN, and potentially other cannabinoids. So, you can imagine that the levels of Delta 8 found naturally in the hemp plant are very small.
A well-known cannabis researcher discovered a method to convert CBD, a naturally occurring cannabinoid into Delta-8 THC in the early 2000’s. This technique is now being used widely by cannabinoid extract technicians around the world.
The legal availability of Delta-8-THC material is now possible thanks to some major advancements. Now, you can find it in gummies and edibles, as well as vaporizers, and even a Delta-8-THC flower.
However, how is Delta-8-THC flower made if it’s not a naturally occurring cannabis extract?
Delta 8 Flower: It’s Actually Just Hemp Flower
That’s right. Because Delta-8 doesn’t naturally occur in large amounts in any marijuana strains, manufacturers took another route.
Delta-8 THC flower is simply hemp flower (often referred to as CBD flower) with Delta-8 concentrate added.
The result is the same: CBD flower that can be smoked while enjoying the benefits of Delta-8.
But how does a non-psychoactive cannabis flower get to this point?
How is Delta-8 THC Flower Made?
By using a process called “isomerization,” manufacturers can create Delta-8 from CBD. This basically means that CBD and Delta-8 have the same components but are just arranged in different ways.
Isomerization simply refers to the process of changing the order of components in a compound. In some processes Delta-8-THC has no added components, so it is not entirely a synthetic cannabinoid.
In other processes, solvents are added which render the outcome more synthetic than others, read, “How Is Delta 8 Made” to go more in depth to this process.
After Delta-8 THC goes through the extraction process, the D8 product is called Delta-8 THC Distillate. This means that it is distilled until it contains only Delta-8 THC and no other cannabinoids or terpenes.
This pure Delta-8 THC material is then blended with high quality hemp flower to create legal smoking material that offer the benefits of Delta-8. Different manufacturers use varying methods to create Delta-8 flower, which inevitably leads to very different results.
Finally, Adding Delta 8 Flower to CBD Flower
Some manufacturers dip raw flower material in D8 liquid. The problem with distillate is that it is oily and doesn’t dry completely. This can lead to a soggy flower product, making it difficult or impossible to smoke.
While this kidn of Delta-8 material might be potent, it is often too harsh to new hemp users.
Another method involves lightly spraying D8 distillate on the flower material.
Although the Delta-8 flower will not be as potent, the overall experience of smoking is lighter and more enjoyable. The flower is also less soggy and therefore more appealing to the consumer.
One way to make a Delta-8 THC distillate material is to “dust” it onto the flower. This allows Delta-8 to easily be added in greater amounts, creating a potent D8-THC flower that isn’t soggy or too harsh.
Combinations of both these methods are possible. Ultimately, the way Delta-8 is added to the raw flower material will affect the final result. This means that you might need to try several products before you discover the one that suits you best.
Smoking Delta 8 THC Flower: Benefits
Delta-8-THC flower, as we said, is hemp flower that has had pure Delta-8 extract added. This product is unique because it offers all the benefits of whole-plant hemp, something that you won’t get from other Delta-8 products.
Hemp flower contains moderate to high levels CBD, along with a variety of other cannabinoids that work together to produce the entourage effect.
D8 flower, unlike pure Delta-8, offers myriad benefits from different hemp strains. These may include different therapeutic terpenes as well as other beneficial cannabinoids.
We won’t get into the specific benefits from each type of hemp strain, or different combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes because it is way beyond the scope of this article. However we go into this in more detail in this article.
There are several benefits to smoking hemp flower when compared with other dosing types, such as the following:
- Delta-8-THC flower can be absorbed quickly and produces psychoactive effects in a matter of minutes.
- Delta-8 flower has fast-acting properties and can easily be “stacked.” This means that it can be used in small amounts until you have a better understanding of your limits.
- While some might consider this a disadvantage, the high from D8 THC flower wears off quicker than that of D8 edibles. This offers more control for the user and their experience. The effects can last anywhere from 2-4 hours.
- Many believe that the CBD in the hemp flower makes for a more balanced psychoactive experience in addition to added therapeutic and calming benefits.
- Furthermore, Delta 8 THC flower can be a good replacement for Delta 9 THC flower. It can offer similar aromatics without many of the drawbacks associated with D9 THC flower. Some examples of Delta 9 THC drawbacks are legality, accessibility, as well as paranoia and anxiety.
Delta 9 Flower vs Delta 8 flower
Aside from obvious differences between these two types of flower and how they are produced, (considering there are many naturally occurring high-Delta 9 THC strains) people often ask, “Is there a difference between D8 THC flower and D9 THC flower?”
The main difference between the two is that Delta-8 THC is far less potent than Delta-9. Although it may sound like an issue, this is actually one of the many benefits of Delta-8. This reduced potency makes it more convenient for beginners. It may even make the product more useful for certain health and medical applications.
One study examined Delta-8-THC’s benefits for pediatric cancer patients undergoing traditional chemotherapy that causes nausea. The findings revealed that Delta-8 was half as potent as Delta-9, which shows that Delta-8 can be used in higher (and more efficient) doses without the same side effects as Delta-9 THC.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that Delta-8-THC is less likely to cause anxiety or paranoia, which are common side effects of THC products.
They also have slightly different effects. The effects of Delta-8 are generally less intense and provide more body euphoria. Delta-9, however, is well-known for its stronger cerebral effects.
Legality of Delta-8 THC Flower
The legality of Delta-8 is a complicated matter in general, let alone D8 Flower.
Technically, Delta-8 THC meets federal legal standards. It’s covered under the “isomer“, portion of definition used to legalize cannabis in the 2018 Farm Bill.
It’s a given that every state governs hemp differently. Some states even have legislation in place that prohibits the sale of any tetrahydrocannabinols, even if it is in fact derived from legal hemp flower.
You should look up the laws and legality around D8 THC in your specific state. If you are in Florida, we’ve got you covered. We did plenty of research into the laws around D8 in the Sunshine State.
However, when it comes to D8 THC flower, the waters are a bit murky…
This is because it is derived from hemp flower, which is still a controversial subject in terms of legality. It is legal in most states, however it has been contested alot and legislators have gone back and forth over it in the past.
In some cases, CBD products are banned by certain state legislation. While some states allow the sale and use CBD, others restrict raw, unprocessed material like flower. You should verify that Delta-8 is legal in your particular state before making any decisions.
Where Can I Buy D8 THC Flower?
Delta-8-THC flower has one prominent advantage over Delta-9 flower: it is much easier to find.
You can order Delta-8 flower online if D8 THC is legal in your area.
Although it is easy to find many distributors of Delta-8 in a quick Google search, there are some things you can do to help you weed out low-quality formulas. (No pun intended).
- FIrst, you should look for a transparent distributor who is open about their manufacturing process. This means that they disclose details about how their Delta-8 is made as well as where their hemp material is sourced (U.S. grown hemp is usually the best, even better if it is organically and or regeneratively grown).
- High-quality distributors will offer third-party lab test results before you buy. These tests will prove the accuracy of the label and provide information that can help you determine what’s in the product before buying.
- You should also check the ingredients to ensure that there are no artificial ingredients or harmful additives added.
Interested in premium quality Delta-8 THC flower shipped to your doorstep? Check out our collection of Delta 8 THC Flower.
Lastly, Here Are Some Alternatives to Delta 8 THC Flower
If Delta 8 is not legal where you are, or if you prefer a different method aside from smoking raw flower, there are many alternatives.
Among them are Delta 8 vaporizers. These are another inhalation dosing method made from D8 THC distillate. Oftentimes, these products will have added terpenes that offer unique therapeutic benefits of different strains. Unlike smoking raw flower, other cannabinoids like CBD can be avoided if that’s your preference.
Delta-8 vaporizers still work as fast as D8 flower and can be stackable if needed. The effects are similar in duration (2-4 hrs) and provide very similar benefits.
Looking for D8 THC products? Look no further!
Check out our premium organically grown hemp that we grow on our farm in Apopka, Florida!
We use industry leading extraction methods to produce a variety of D8 products. In addition, we grow our hemp in an organic and waste-free environment so we have total control over the quality of our products from seed to shelf.
Have you tried Delta 8 THC Flower? If so, did you like it? Let us know!
Resources
- “USDA Farm Bill (2018)” https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
- “An efficient new cannabinoid antiemetic in pediatric oncology” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7776837/
- “Isomer” https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/isomer
