As the cannabis industry is advancing in the UK, there are more and more products popping up that are pushing the boundaries. With the law unable to keep up with all of the cannabinoids that can be extracted from cannabis, it seems that there are plenty of companies happy to live in the grey area of the law.
Delta-8 is a THC compound derived from cannabis/hemp and is popular due to how similar it is to THC (the one everybody wants). THC (known as Delta-9) is that psychoactive cannabinoid compound that makes you high; it is the reason for all those wonderful euphoric happiness, sedation, sometimes pain relief and sometimes paranoia!
Delta-8 is also psychoactive, it will make you high and it can be picked up on a drug test. It makes us wonder why there are many more examples of Delta-8 products being openly sold? What is the difference then?
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Delta-9 THC vs Delta-8 : What is the difference?
So what makes Delta-8 different? Let’s start with the similarities first: both of the compounds represent a similar chemical structure. The infamous THC’s chemical name is Delta-9, or Delta-9 THC.
Both Delta-9 and Delta-8 have a similar chemical structure and have the famous double bond which binds to the ECS receptors to produce the intoxication effects of cannabis.
The bonds are, however, situated differently: Delta-8’s double on is found on the 8th carbon atom while delta-9 has the bond (you guessed it) on the 9th atom. It is really interesting to think that this very subtle chemical differ
Delta-8, like delta-9 (regular THC), binds to the body’s endocannabinoid system, which causes you to feel high. Chemically, delta-8 and delta-9 are similar in that they both have a double bond in their structures. This double bond is thought to produce the intoxicating effects that make you feel high.
The two THCs are chemically different in the placement of the double bond. Both cannabinoids have a chain of carbon atoms, but delta-8 has a double bond on the eighth carbon, whereas delta-9 has it on the 9th. There is little research into delta-8 so we are still yet to fully understand why the two have different effects on our bodies.
Is Delta-8 Legal in the UK?
In terms of the way they feel, they are very similar however, delta-8 THC is much less potent than its longer sibling. This makes it a very popular alternative, especially when the law is still a little hazy around this compound.
In terms of legality, Dela-8 THC is loose at best. The compound can be extracted from Cannabis or Hemp and is part of the CBD extraction process – so many CBD products contain Delta-8 THC. In the USA , it technically means that this cannabinoid is legal which explains why it is sold quite openly. In the UK, the laws are a little different but there is still some confusion when it comes to products; we find plenty of companies selling vape carts and Delta-8 THC flower openly online. Whether this is completely legal has been harder than expected to find out.
Where to Buy Delta-8 THC UK?
If you’re looking to buy Delta-8 THC in the UK then there are a few places that sell it openly. As we write this, we are unsure of the full legal implications of purchasing these compounds so please proceed with caution, and consider this as potentially breaking the law.
There are a few companies (mainly Hemptown) who are selling Delta-8 vape cartridges and CBD flower that contains a high percentage of Delta-8 THC.
