What is the difference between Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC)? Both contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is less than 0.3%. Making them legal to sell according to the 2018 Farm Bill. Both products are a derivative created by making a distillate of hemp oil. The two have a different process of production which ends up having their “carbon atom” structure being slightly different. Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) has a molecular structure where double bonds exist on their 8th carbon atom. Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) has a molecular structure where double bonds exist on their 9th carbon atom.
Key takeaways
- Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) has a molecular structure where double bonds exist on their 8th carbon atom. Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) has a molecular structure where double bonds exist on their 9th carbon atom.
- The percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that is in Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) is less than 0.3%.
- Because the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that’s in them is less than 0.3%, they are legal to sell according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
The quick answer
The quick answer is that both Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) are considered altered derivatives from hemp or CBD oil. And have a very similar distillation process to get their end result. It’s very unclear as to what should actually distinguish the two in terms of regulation.
Both products have very similar positive and negative side effects on the body. And both products have reactions to the CB1/CB2 endocannabinoid system in the brain. Resulting an altered state of consciousness or a “relaxed” feeling.
What is the difference between Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC)?
There is very little difference between Delta-8 and Delta-9 when comparing their positive and negative effects. Both Delta-8 and Delta-9 are considered to be “alternative cannabinoid” products that have effects on the CB1/CB2 receptors in the brain.
Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) have very similar effects to that of CBD, although much stronger. In the sense that it blocks some brain receptors to create its “psychoactive” feeling. A recent study described how Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) works, saying “Δ8-Tetrahydrocannabinol binds to neuronal CB1 receptors,which are found on GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons throughout the brain and are thought to be receptors for endogenous anandamide.”
Comparing the effects of Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC)
Here are the effects of both Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC):
|
Effects |
Delta-8 |
Delta-9 |
|
Euphoria |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Relaxation |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Altered state of consciousness |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Pain relief |
Yes |
Yes |
Comparing the side effects of Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC)
Here are the negative side effects of Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC):
|
Side Effects |
Delta-8 |
Delta-9 |
|
Xerostomia |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Vomiting |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Dizziness |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Tremors |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Memory Loss |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Impaired Judgment |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Increased Appetite |
Yes |
Yes |
How Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) are made
Both are created using relatively similar processes. According to a patent filed in 2021, the following method is how we can consider the distillate to be processed and produced:
The patent filed by Pure Tonic Concentrates, LLC states “A solvent-free method for converting CBD or delta-9 THC-A to delta-9 THC and delta-8 THC includes adding CBD to a reaction vessel, streaming an inert gas through the reaction vessel, heating the CBD while stirring to melt the CBD, stirring the melting CBD, adding concentrated hydrochloric acid as a catalyst to the melting CBD while stirring, increasing the temperature over time to a temperature not to exceed the boiling point of reactants and products in the reaction vessel, holding the reaction vessel at a temperature less than the boiling point temperature for the reactants and products in the reaction vessel for an amount of time to allow the complete conversion of the CBD, and bubbling an inert gas into the reaction products to remove free ions of hydrogen and chloride.”
The FDA’s stance on Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC)
While the legalities of Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) are changing quickly, the FDA most recently put out a series of letters (in December of 2023), suggesting “‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) food additives” being added to consumable Delta-8 (Δ8-THC) and Delta-9 (Δ9-THC) products.
This is not a new process for the FDA as in November of 2023 they released a number of letters on their stance with CBD consumable products. And continuing to release these letters into December of 2023. These letters act as general guidelines with new research and findings that the FDA can inform the public about in a rather “informal” way (unregulated).
Related "Delta" resources
Other resources related to Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10: