Delta-8 THC has carved out a real place for itself in the cannabis market. In just a few years, delta 8 products have caught up to what delta 9 offers, showing up in everything from vapes to gummies so there’s an option for nearly anyone. This time, we’re covering a delta 8 format that once seemed unlikely: delta 8 flower.
What Exactly Is Delta 8?
Delta 8 is a cannabinoid found in both hemp and marijuana plants. Like delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC also creates a “high,” but is less intense. Although delta 8 can be naturally found in all forms of cannabis, it is only in very small amounts. While growing cannabis plants with higher amounts of delta 8 may be possible, it has yet to come around. Until then, delta 8 is synthesized for commercial use by chemically converting CBD derived from hemp. This makes delta 8 not only hemp-derived, but also federally legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill. Now, delta 8 products are found as commonly as CBD and delta 9.
The Process Behind Making Delta 8
Since delta 8 THC is not found in abundance naturally, it is synthesized in a laboratory by chemically converting CBD. This process allows delta 8 to be economically scalable, and creates delta 8 concentrate in the form of distillate oil. This concentrate is the basis for practically all delta 8 products. Although it is made in a lab, some may argue that delta 8 is not actually synthesized, but simply converted from CBD, as there is nothing synthetic about delta 8 since it is still the same compound naturally found in cannabis.
Turning That Concentrate Into Flower
Once you understand how delta 8 concentrate is produced, the flower version starts to make sense. Similar to the “moon rocks” some delta 9 marijuana products are known for, delta 8 flower comes from coating premium hemp buds in delta 8-infused kief and concentrate. The hemp flower gets coated in delta 8 concentrate, then dusted with kief so it resembles a delta 9 flower, only with delta 8 instead — letting people smoke it just like they would regular marijuana.
What Kind of Effects Does It Produce?
The “high” from delta 8 is similar to delta-9 THC. Many people report the high as being less intense and more tolerable than delta 9. Like delta 9, delta 8 is a psychoactive cannabinoid that can induce euphoria, muscle relaxation, pain relief, increase in appetite, anti-anxiety, and help with insomnia.
Where Does Delta 8 Flower Stand Legally?
As previously mentioned, delta 8 is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill such as long as it contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC by weight. That being said, delta 8 can also be regulated at the state level. If you are looking to consume delta 8 flower or any delta 8 product, it is best to conduct your own research on your local laws to make sure you are legally permitted to use and purchase delta 8.
What to Expect
Delta 8 flower is still a relatively new product, and can vary immensely depending on the manufacturer’s recipe. Nonetheless, we can safely say that it may be a pretty intense delta 8 experience if you were to smoke it like marijuana. Since it is coated in kief and delta 8 distillate, delta 8 flower may also burn differently than regular hemp and marijuana flower.
The Bottom Line on Delta 8 Flower
Delta 8 flower is real, but it’s not made the way you’d expect. Because delta 8 only occurs naturally in tiny amounts, producers have to chemically convert hemp-derived CBD concentrate into delta 8 distillate first. From there, that distillate gets applied to hemp flower to build delta 8 into its cannabinoid profile — giving consumers a way to enjoy delta 8 in a form that feels just like smoking marijuana.
