Delta 8 THC products offer many of the same therapeutic and experimental benefits of Delta 9 THC, but with fewer risks and milder side effects. Most participants (83%) reported using cannabis and Delta 9 THC products, and said they had replaced Delta 9 THC (57%) and drugs (59%). In states where Delta 9 THC cannabis products are not yet available to adults, 90% of participants reported using Delta 8 THC. Delta 8 THC is usually added to gummies and vaporizer cartridges and can be legally purchased online or in stores.
However, there have been reports of sedation and acute encephalopathy in pediatric patients after ingesting Delta 8 THC gummies. Delta 9 THC is the most common form of THC found in cannabis plants, and is almost identical to Delta 8 THC in its chemical structure. Read on to learn more about Delta 8 THC, how it compares to Delta 9 THC and CBD, its associated risks, potential benefits, and more. Currently, 15 states restrict the sale and use of Delta 8 products, with another 6 states where legal action is pending. Experiences with Delta 8 THC were reported as being less intense and shorter-lived than those with Delta 9 THC.
Additionally, Delta 8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for safe use, and may be marketed in a way that endangers public health. Of these 14 states, 6 allow recreational cannabis with Delta 9 THC, 10 allow medical cannabis with Delta 9 THC, and 3 have decriminalized recreational use of Delta 9 THC cannabis. This study provides empirical evidence to inform discussions on policies and practices related to Delta 8 THC. Both cannabinoids occur naturally in cannabis plants, but Delta 8 THC is found in very small amounts. The study also provided a broad description of self-reported experiences with Delta 8 THC.
