Despite the many years of demonization, misunderstanding, and misrepresentation, Cannabis is without a doubt and unequivocally here to stay. Finally shedding some of its outdated stigma, Marijuana is being recognized for what it is: a naturally occurring safe and effective alternative to many more common and dangerous substances that are proven to be unhealthy.
Marijuana use is less controversial than ever before, but it remains illegal federally and in most states, even as it gains popularity around the nation and globe. The varying regulations and legal complexities surrounding the Marijuana industry and market are presumably implemented to protect the general populace as the official scientific consensus on its medical efficacy and relevance is still in its early stages. However well intentioned, these same regulations often inadvertently present obstacles to research and development.
As a product of this legal and social conflict, developers and manufacturers of cannabis-based products are constantly seeking innovation to meet the demands of their consumers and the regulatory requirements of their governing bodies. This has led to the isolation and refinement of many individual compounds within the cannabis plant to meet the restrictions and demand associated with it. Of these, the cannabinoid Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has quickly risen to prominence as a potent, effective, and safe compromise between all vested parties. In the following text, we will explore some of the specifics of the Delta-8 THC cannabinoid and why it presents such a promising opportunity for success in the contemporary marijuana industry.
It is well known that among the many cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant that Cannabidiol (CBD) and Delta-9 THC are the most prominent and abundant. Of these two major cannabinoids, CBD is understood to have no psychotropic effects, and can be consumed for its positive benefits without impairing the user or rendering a positive test result on a standard drug screen. For legal, social, and preferential purposes, CBD is refined to varying levels of purity, removing unwanted compounds including Delta-9 THC. As the level of THC decreases, so does the psychotropic effect experienced by the user, eventually reducing to imperceptible levels until it is removed entirely. While CBD is desirable for some consumers and satiates most legal requirements, Delta 9 THC as a compound has value outside of its psychotropic qualities and is therefore desirable as a product and additive that can not be found in CBD alone.
This conundrum of meeting demand versus maintaining legality (and truthfully, morality as well) coupled with modern research has produced a focus on the other cannabinoids present in the cannabis plant, most notably the Delta-8 THC compound. This compound exhibits many of the physical wellness effects of CBD and some of the psychotropic properties of Delta-9 THC. Although it occurs naturally within the plant, it can be converted in lab from CBD and Delta-9 THC. The Delta-8 THC compound is highly desirable in the legal marijuana industry because of its potency, effectiveness, and separation from the more commonly known Delta-9 THC.
Because of its chemically unique identity, proponents of the compound argue that this compound is not subject to federal prohibition, and therefore may be marketed and sold as a more desirable product. Cannabis products that feature Delta-8 THC as opposed to the traditional Delta-9 THC offer what many consider to be an ideal combination of the benefits of CBD/THC while minimizing any perceived negative effects that may be present.
Delta-8 THC offers quick and effective relief from common medical ailments such as lack of appetite, nausea, anxiety, and chronic pain. It also offers a milder (and arguably more manageable) psychotropic effect than Delta-9 THC, making it attractive to a broader spectrum of consumers. It appears to have limited negative side effects that are commonly associated with cannabis products such as dry mouth, paranoia, and a decline in mental acuity.
As mentioned previously, much of the research surrounding the entire complexity of the cannabis plant is still emerging, and the total scope of its use and application is in its infancy. As our social and legal perception of this plant continues to evolve, so too does the availability of safe, effective, and legal compounds for recreational and medical use.
Products and derivatives featuring Delta-8 THC may offer a mutually satisfactory compromise between the legal cannabis market and federal law by providing a product that delivers the health benefits of CBD, euphoric psychoactive effects like Delta-9 THC, and a product that is chemically unique and specifically not prohibited by federal law. While the expansion of this industry continues to produce an increasing number of exciting developments, Delta-8 THC appears poised to become a viable and valuable product for domestic and international markets.
