A new study conducted by Leafreport has found that over half of Delta-8 THC hemp-derived products contain illegal levels of Delta-9 THC.
Delta-8 THC products rose to popularity earlier this year due to their ability to give users a so-called ‘legal high’. Delta-8 THC differs from the well-known Delta-9 THC due to the location of a shared double-bonded carbon in their structure. This difference has a large impact on the molecules’ shape and thus the effects they produce.
This is why its more important than ever to do your research and buy products that have been cleared of any issues. Examples might include Budpop products such as these delta-8 gummies, which are legal yet strong. Some people report that Delta-8 THC is milder than Delta-9 THC. However, consumption of the substance is not without controversy. A survey from April 2021 by the US Cannabis Council for example found many unlicensed Delta-8 vape cartridges contain unsafe levels of solvents. More than this, a test conducted by ProVerde Laboratories in Massachusetts found that all the Delta-8 products they tested exceeded the legal limit of 0.3% THC.
In the present study, researchers analyzed the contents of 38 Delta-8 products. In doing so, they found that 53% of the products contained more than the hemp legal limit for Delta-9 THC of 0.3%. In fact, some contained as much as 15.2% of the Delta 9 variant. Alongside this, 68% of the products contained lower levels of Delta-8 THC than advertised.
The researchers further reported that Delta-8 pre-rolls and gummies were more likely to contain inaccurate Delta-8 levels than tinctures and vape products. All products passed heavy metal tests.
To explain why this may be the case, Kristen Goedde of Trichome Analytical, said in a statement to Ganjapreneur, “In the conversion process from CBD isolate into Delta-8 THC, other THC isomers including Delta-9 THC are created in varying amounts. At Trichome, we have yet to see a compliant, high potency Delta-8 product that can be manufactured on a large scale. It is quite likely that all Delta-8 vape cartridges on the market contain non-compliant levels of Delta-9 THC.”
She added that one way to make sure labs are capable of detecting Delta-9 THC in products is to use two different testing methods to verify their results. She said however that many Delta-8 brands may be intentionally working with labs not configured to properly test for Delta-9 THC to get compliant certificates of analysis.
Sources: Ganjapreneur, Leafreport
