As the cannabis industry evolves and state agencies continuously crack down on bad actors, both Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC are spending more time in the spotlight.
And even though these cannabinoid molecules are not new, consumers are becoming increasingly curious about each variant’s unique properties and experiences along with their legality in certain states.
While both Delta 8 and Delta 9 contain THC, what really is the difference between the two?
Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound found in high doses within cannabis and lower doses within hemp. Delta 9 THC is the most prevalent and well-known form, as explained in an article by Extract Labs, responsible for the characteristic “high” associated with cannabis use.
Delta 8 THC, on the other hand, “is an isomer of Delta 9, meaning it has a similar chemical structure with slightly various effects that are typically reported as less intense,” according to the article.
“The majority of hemp products you see on the marketplace today are typically made with Delta 8 THC since it was seen as this loophole to the 2018 Farm Bill, which only defined Delta 9 THC, so Delta 8 had more of an ambiguous definition,” says Ricky Wojcik, account representative at Perfectly Dosed. “All of that being said, most folks are now using Delta 9 because it’s the most commonly occurring form of THC in both hemp and marijuana.”
To break it down even more, the main difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC has to do with each cannabinoid’s molecular structures.
“For Delta 9 THC, this bond is found on the ninth carbon chain, while in Delta 8 THC, it is on the eighth carbon chain,” explains Extract Labs’ CEO Craig Henderson. “This seemingly minor difference significantly impacts their effects and stability.”
Since Delta 9 accounts for most of the THC that occurs naturally in the cannabis plant, it can be more easily extracted. This is a main contributing factor as to why consumers typically smoke Delta 9.
Delta 8 THC, however, is about half as potent since it’s only an isomer of Delta 9, as mentioned in the Extract Labs article. It’s also produced in far less quantity and thus must be processed from a concentrate. That’s why most users consume it in edibles such as gummies or brownies.
This also means in order to create most Delta 8 concentrate products, the cannabinoids need to be synthetized and concentrated through a chemical process, which can result in some unwanted effects in users.
When consumed outside of its proper dosage, synthetic Delta 8 THC can create challenges in the human body.
Concerns Surrounding Delta 8 THC
Shari B. Kaplan, LCSW, a clinical director and plant medicine formulator at Cannectd Wellness, has worked with hundreds of patients to create customized cannabis formulas tailored to their specific health needs and symptoms.
In her experience, Kaplan sees a number of patients coming in for mental health services due to the use of Delta-8. “The symptoms that are most recently displayed are extreme anxiety and psychosis,” she explains.
“This may be due to the high levels of synthetic THC over stimulating brain activity and the inability for the endocannabinoid to produce the enzymes needed to breakdown the THC and use it to support the body in modulating the other systems in the body, which is the major role that organic cannabinoids play in the body,” she continues.
Any synthetic substance can cause adverse effects on the body. Because Delta 8 hasn’t been studied in depth, there are still many unknowns about this cannabinoid, resulting in users improperly consuming these products or taking too high a dosage.
“The reason that people take alternate cannabinoids is because they can be bought in smoke shops and gas stations nationally,” says Kaplan. “Delta 8 has been banned in several states in the United States, including Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.”
Extract Labs’ Henderson explains that the state bans come down to a lack of regulation and consumer protection around Delta 8.
“Because Delta 8 is often synthesized from CBD through a chemical process, there’s more room for error—or worse, for bad actors—to introduce unsafe products to the market,” he says. “Some states saw that as a risk and chose to ban it outright rather than regulate it. It’s understandable, but it doesn’t necessarily solve the underlying issues.”
In a 2022 study, researchers from the University at Buffalo and the University of Michigan partnered with a Buffalo-based manufacturer of cannabinoid (CBD) products, Bison Botanics, in an effort to learn more about the benefits and potential drawbacks of Delta 8 THC. Out of 521 people, most respondents stated that they enjoyed the effects from the cannabinoid.
Experiences with Delta 8 were characterized predominantly by “relaxation, pain relief and euphoria, with most participants saying they could perform their normal daily activities without experiencing the adverse side effects associated with cannabis use, such as paranoia, anxiety or the munchies,” according to the study.
Continued education and research on Delta 8 is critical to inform policies, regulations and practices that minimize the costs, risks and harms while maximizing the cannabinoid’s potential benefits.
Getting the Most Out of Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC
When consumed properly and in the right dosage that suits your body, Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC offer similar effects. There are, however, slight differences that consumers need to be aware of to have an enjoyable experience.
According to Cannectd Wellness’ Kaplan, the structural similarity to Delta 9 found in cannabis is what gives the cannabinoids their similar effects.
Henderson also explains that “Delta 8 THC is a type of psychoactive cannabinoid that causes mellow and clear-headed symptoms in many cannabis users. In low and moderate doses, Delta 9 can promote relaxation, euphoria, a giggly mood and relief. Higher doses of Delta 9 may carry side effects such as uneasiness or paranoia.”
Cody Callarman, president and founder at Carolina Dream, always advises consumers to start low and go slow when trying Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC for the first time. “Depending on your own experiences and how educated the staff is, everyone’s body and endocannabinoid system is different. Start with five milligrams and move up from there if you need to,” he says.
Even though Delta 8 tends to produce milder effects, it can still hit hard for consumers who aren’t used to it. This is why Henderson also recommends starting with a small dose and giving it plenty of time to kick in before taking more.
“Also, make sure you’re buying from a reputable brand with lab-tested products,” he advises. “Knowing what you’re putting into your body is key to having a safe, enjoyable experience.”
Consuming Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC should be an enjoyable experience. To help avoid bad experiences and feelings of paranoia or anxiety, proper education is key.
“Rather than banning Delta 8 altogether, I’d love to see more focus on regulation and testing standards,” says Henderson. “If states applied the same rigorous standards to Delta 8 products as they do to other cannabis products—like requiring third-party lab testing, clear labeling and production transparency—we’d all be better off. Consumers deserve safe, well-made products. Regulation would help weed out the bad players while keeping a product that people clearly want available.”
