You may be seeing Delta-10 THC products at corner stores, groceries, and upscale boutiques. Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 are all THC compounds and are commonly found in products like gummies and edibles. In this article, we will focus on Delta-10 THC. What really is Delta-10 THC, how is it made, and is it safe?
What is Delta-10?
Delta-10 THC, like Delta-8, is a minor cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. It is also commonly processed from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and may be produced in a lab.
Which is stronger Delta-8 or Delta 9 or Delta 10 THC?
Delta-9 is the strongest; Delta-8 is weaker than Delta-9; Delta-10 is the weakest of the three. While they have a similar chemical formula, they each have a slightly different structural makeup, causing them to produce slightly different effects on the body.
Research on Delta-10-THC is scarce, not to mention with the addition of Delta-8 and Delta-9. Delta-10 THC is not regulated like Delta-9 is.
How is Delta-10 THC made?
Oddly enough, Delta-10 THC was discovered by accident. During fires in California, a batch of hemp was contaminated with fire retardant. When Fusion Farms extracted THC distillate, they found it had formed these mysterious crystals. Originally misidentified as the cannabinoids CBC and CBL, after months of research, it was realized to be Delta-10. Today, delta-10 is made using a conversion process similar to the one used for producing delta-8 concentrate. This is also why it has a distinct clear appearance.
Are Delta-10 products legal?
As more states are legalizing cannabis for recreational and medicinal use, lawmakers are continuing to prohibit delta-8-THC. Of the 14 states that have banned delta-8-THC, six allow recreational use of cannabis, 10 allow medical use and three have decriminalized recreational use.
The 2018 U.S. Farm Bill effectively legalized it through a loophole that allowed the sale of hemp-derived delta-10-THC products in areas where recreational use of cannabis was prohibited, as well as where medicinal marijuana required medical authorization. By late 2020, delta-8-THC exploded in popularity, and now delta-10 is following suit.
However, as is the case with delta-8, some states have taken it upon themselves to outlaw delta-10. Additionally, some delta-10 producers won’t ship to certain states if that state’s laws are unclear.
So what does that mean? Well, legislation is a bit messy. THC (delta-9) is recreationally legal in some states and medically legal in others. Delta-10 and Delta-8 are illegal in certain states, but some of those states do have legal recreational or medical weed. If you are interested in learning more about a medical card in Ohio or Missouri, click here.
Be sure to check a specific producer’s website to see where they ship to, but overall, if you live in these states, you cannot get delta-10:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Rhode Island
- Utah
Despite its rapidly increasing availability, there is still a lot to learn about delta-10-THC’s properties and effects.
How are Delta-10 THC products tested?
You probably know about the two main cannabinoids: cannabidiol (CBD) and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). But research has found that a cannabis plant can produce up to 100 different cannabinoids. Through this test, we can find and quantify the concentration of these substances in the CBD product. This is used to confirm that the quantities of CBD listed on the packaging is accurate.
The cannabinoid profiles are also important to verify the THC content is as advertised. If THC levels are too high, the product can become psychoactive. The ‘high feeling’ that we associate with the use of cannabis, actually comes from THC. As per the FDA “cannabis plants and derivatives that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis are no longer controlled substances under federal law”. But without independent testing, you have no way to verify if you are consuming an illegal or potentially harmful product.
The team of medical professionals and researchers at Ashford Wellness provide consumers with clarity and confidence in choosing hemp-derived CBD products. They independently evaluate hemp-derived CBD products for more than 150 potential toxins. It is their mission to help consumers find Premium, Clean CBD products. On their website, you can check out products that pass their rigorous evaluation.
Which products should you use?
Well, that is up to you. There is so little research available for these products, so it’s important that patients learning about the difference between Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC ultimately rely on a licensed medical professional.
According to Ashford Wellness, until more rigorous research can be conducted, synthetic products should be used with caution. There is little research available for the safety of these products, so it’s important that patients learning about the difference between Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 ultimately rely on a licensed medical professional for advice.
Summary
Although Delta-10 products are being manufactured and sold, many questions and concerns remain. Naturally-derived Delta-8 occurs in very small quantities in hemp plants. The fact that most of the products on the shelves are synthetically created and not naturally derived (like CBD), makes lawmakers, researchers, physicians wary of the potential effects.