Contributor: Bill Simpsom
The status of the legality of the Delta-8 flower is uncertain despite all the research and discussion going on for a long time. Delta-8 is used for several medicinal purposes. However, it has not been approved by governing bodies like FDA and NCBI. Thus, it is stuck somewhere between being called legal and illegal.
It is also helpful for a lot of grave health problems and diseases. There are many products available and you can buy delta 8 thc products here and in several regions of the world. Many people swear by the benefits of Delta-8 for a range of their problems.
However, there are some top authorities still opposing its sale due to various reasons. We will see what these authorities have to say about Delta-8. Before we jump into that, let us get an overview of the Delta-8 flower, its uses, and why this topic is so controversial.
What is the Delta-8 flower?
Derived from the Hemp plant, Delta-8 is a compound that is very similar to Delta-9 THC. Moreover, that is the reason behind it getting both popular and controversial recently.
However, we can consider Delta-8 a better choice because it is not a highly intoxicating or addictive substance. Delta-9 THC is illegal in several countries. Hence, the Delta-8 not only stands as a great alternative but is also better in many ways.
There are various ways in which people enjoy the benefits of the Delta-8 flower. You can consume it in the form of edibles by adding them while cooking some dishes, chewing gums, gummies, etc., which are some of the popular Delta-8 edibles.
Alternatively, you can also vape or smoke it, which are the most preferred methods. Some people also consume it in the form of oral tinctures available in the market.
Since nowadays, Delta-8 is usually made from CBD extracted from the Hemp plant, it is somehow not in a completely illegal status. For extra clarity, CBD is the compound of cannabis or marijuana that does not contain psychoactive elements. That means CBD does not give one a high because it consists of tiny amounts of THC.
So, in that way, the link between the Delta-8 available currently and CBD makes it somehow legal in some countries where Delta-9 is illegal.
Uses and benefits of Delta-8
The Delta-8 flower serves a variety of benefits. It helps in pain relief and is also often used as an anti-inflammatory medicine. Moreover, many people have admitted that Delta-8 has helped them tremendously with anxiety and depression.
Delta-8 is also an aid for people struggling with insomnia, disturbed sleep, nightmares, and a variety of other sleeping problems. Furthermore, nausea is another problem that people have received relief from with the help of Delta-8.
Despite this wide range of benefits and uses, Delta-8 is still not approved and accepted everywhere. The main reason behind this is its connection with the cannabis plant family. Now, let us see what authorities like NCBI and FDA say about Delta-8 flower.
NCBI and FDA’s take on Delta-8
Well, NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) does not seem to be in its favor. It has tagged Delta-8 and CBD as substances with acute toxicity. It has several times been declared that it is a harmful substance.
Since Delta-8 comes from CBD through the Hemp plant, it is clear that authorities do not support the idea of legalized and medicinal use of Delta-8. CBD and related compounds are not-risk free, says NCBI.
The Farm Bill (2018) made a lot of hemp products legal. The list also includes CBD. So, that is the reason why in some regions, one can find CBD and related products like Delta-8 flower. However, according to the law, these products can only be considered legal if they meet one condition. The condition being, if the Delta-9 THC content in a product is less than 0.3 percentage.
This condition and the inclusion of this product in the legal list stand true only in one case. Furthermore, as long as it is derived from the hemp plant and not from synthetic sources. That is where the problem arises. Most of the Delta-8 products we find in the market currently are not extracted directly. Companies often process these products.
Now, let us see what the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says about the Delta-8 flower. FDA says that marketing CBD as a food or a dietary supplement is not legal. It also states that it is harmful in many ways and can cause side effects. So, that automatically applies to Delta-8 flowers as well.
Why do authorities oppose Delta-8 and other CBD-related products?
There could be various reasons behind these authorities not approving these products. Firstly, Delta-8 and all CBD products are very new. By new, we mean that not enough research has been carried out on these products yet. Moreover, not many people know enough about these products.
Delta-8 has a very close link with the dreaded word “marijuana.” Hence, numerous apprehensions about it kick in. Though Delta-8 does not have psychoactive properties like Delta-9 THC and other compounds containing high levels of THC, it is still highly misunderstood.
Moreover, authorities like FDA and NCBI are not in favor of manufacturing Delta-8 flowers and products for public use.
Conclusively, Where is Delta-8 heading?
Several companies are working towards conducting more official research and studies to seek approval for Delta-8. However, the process is moving at a very tardy pace. A highly beneficial product like Delta-8 must be studied well before banning it from the market.
Because all the benefits and shreds of evidence about its advantages are anecdotal, those are only based on people’s experiences, and not much scientific evidence has been recorded. It is thus very crucial that the right kind of hemp-plant-derived products like Delta-8 are made available. That can only happen after the official approval from NCBI and FDI arrives.
Since it is a natural product and can help people replace medications for a chunk of health problems, it deserves a chance for sure. However, for that to happen, the government should step in and increase the pace of research.
