However, just because it is being sold legally does not mean that it is safe or regulated. In fact, there is no regulation of delta-8-THC except the requirement that it is hemp-derived and contains less than 0.3% delta-9-THC. The safety issues that impact delta-8-THC products actually extend into the entire CBD market. Aside from smokable hemp flower, most products are made from concentrates (resulting from solvent-based extraction processes). While recreational cannabis concentrates require state-dependant testing for things like pesticides, residual solvents, and heavy metals, CBD and delta-8-THC do not.

The recently published paper “The Rise and Risk of Delta-8 THC (Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol)” takes up this topic. They point out that the short and long-term effects of using delta-8-THC are largely unresearched at this time. However, the main concern they underline is the aforementioned lack of regulation and lack of testing for harmful compounds. The researchers report:

“A recent screen of delta-8 products found that the majority contained heavy metal contamination and that the reported vs. actual compositions of commercial products did not agree.”

While we all like to take the edge off after a long day, it is important to consider your health and safety. Buying CBD and delta-8-THC products online may not be legally risky, but consumers have to protect themselves in an industry where the government has failed to take reasonable measures to control risks.

When purchasing CBD or delta-8-THC products, here are some things to remember:

• If possible, buy from a state-licensed cannabis dispensary where products are regulated
• If a certificate of analysis (COA) is not on the website, email and ask for one
• Ask for the lot number of the product you wish to purchase to match it to the COA
• Check COAs for dates of testing and lot numbers
• Check if the COA says anything like “For R&D Only” or “Not for Compliance” (this usually means the test didn’t follow the lab’s standard sampling procedure)
• If the COA only shows potency, ask to see COAs for residual solvent, pesticide, and heavy metal testing
• If you want to have a product tested, cannabis laboratories will allow the public to do so

References

Nachnani, R., Raup-Konsavage, W. M., & Vrana, K. E. (2022). The Rise and Risk of Delta-8 THC (Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol). Current Addiction Reports, 1-8.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40429-022-00456-1

Sabine Downer

Sabine Downer is a scientist and cannabis writer with a passion for education. She has been writing for various clients in the cannabis space since 2015 and has worked in biotechnology since 2010. Along with content creation, she is also a knowledgeable resource on quality assurance, regulatory, and legal topics.

These intoxicating cannabinoids that are artificially created from non-psychoactive CBD are technically legal because they started from hemp. However, there is a lot that is unknown about them and most cannabis laboratories don’t even have the ability to test the potency of delta-O THC, delta-10 THC, and HHC. The recent article “The Dark Side of Cannabidiol: The Unanticipated Social and Clinical Implications of Synthetic Δ8-THC. Cannabis and cannabinoid research” explains what consumers need to be aware of when it comes to these new cannabinoids.

What are THC Isomers?

Delta-8-THC is made using a process called “the acid-catalyzed ring closure of cannabidiol (ACRCC).” This chemical process creates isomers of THC, that is, molecules with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms. These THC-alike synthetic cannabinoids have soared in popularity in states where recreational cannabis is not legal. CBD companies have struggled to profit as the popularity of CBD dwindles, so this new rush to market intoxicating hemp products has also benefitted them. However, there are many issues of safety and quality that are quickly arising.

Making Delta-8-THC

Researchers explain that THC isomer production requires the use of flammable reaction solvents, highly corrosive acidic reagents, hydrochloric acid, and heat. Since delta-8-THC and other THC isomers are not regulated, these dangerous chemicals are not necessarily being used, handled, or disposed of under any sort of regulation. There is the potential that workers could be endangered, and the possibility that dangerous chemicals are being left in the end product. No residual solvent or heavy metal testing is required for these products so while we hope best practices are being used, nothing can be confirmed.

Delta-8-THC Potency

Another big issue is that, unlike recreational cannabis, hemp products have little requirement for accurate potency testing. Hemp must be tested at harvest to ensure it contains less than 0.3% THC. CBD and delta-8-THC products also must have less than 0.3% THC by volume. However, there are no requirements to ensure accurate sampling that produces reliable results. Recreational cannabis products have statistically derived sampling requirements to ensure test accuracy. A CBD or delta-8-THC producer might just test a single unit though. This is why many CBD companies have been warned by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for not having accurate potency that matches their labeling. As mentioned, it is also not possible for most cannabis labs to test the potency of novel cannabinoids and the testing methods for delta-8-THC are not necessarily accredited methods since it is unregulated.

Delta-8-THC and EVALI

Another risk this research paper addresses is the surge in vaping-related lung injury (EVALI) since 2019. A major cause of this was the use of Vitamin E as a thinning agent in vapes, however, there are elusive cases that do not involve Vitamin E. Researchers are still working to fully understand this medical condition. Currently, researchers believe that Vitamin E is dangerous to inhale because it has a long carbon tail in its chemical structure. THC isomers like delta-8-THC are concerning because they also have long carbon tails. These tails are shorter than Vitamin E’s, but long enough to raise alarm. Hospitals lack the ability to test EVALI patients for delta-8-THC, so it is unknown if D8 vapes are contributing to EVALI cases. Researchers do point out that the places where the most cases of EVALI are occurring are also places where delta-8-THC consumption is the highest.

Is Delta-8 THC Dangerous?

Scientists really don’t know if delta-8-THC and other THC isomers like HHC, delta-10-THC, and delta-O-THC are safe. The short and long-term adverse effects of these synthetic cannabinoids are truly unknown. These products have a lot of risks and little to no regulation. The FDA has largely failed to take action to protect consumers so the industry has run wild. The concerns pointed out in this research paper aren’t new, but they do reveal more about how THC isomers are being produced. It is always safest to purchase cannabinoid products in a state-licensed dispensary, but not all Americans live in a state where that is possible. At the end of the day, federal cannabis legalization is a simple step that could eliminate the ongoing gray market of sketchy marijuana-alike products and give consumers access to safe cannabinoid products.

References

Geci, M., Scialdone, M., & Tishler, J. (2022). The Dark Side of Cannabidiol: The Unanticipated Social and Clinical Implications of Synthetic Δ8-THC. Cannabis and cannabinoid research.

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2022.0126

Sabine Downer

Sabine Downer is a scientist and cannabis writer with a passion for education. She has been writing for various clients in the cannabis space since 2015 and has worked in biotechnology since 2010. Along with content creation, she is also a knowledgeable resource on quality assurance, regulatory, and legal topics.