If you’ve been reading cannabis-related news, you know that the use and sale of Delta 8 THC is on the rise. In a nutshell, Delta 8 is a legal form of CBD that chemically is more similar to Delta 9 THC which is the active chemical in Marijuana. And because of this similarity, it produces a more similar effect to THC than it does to CBD. So, what’s the deal with Delta 8? Let’s take a look at some of the safety concerns public health experts have raised. Brace yourself because there’s a lot of them.
Lack of Regulatory Oversight
The primary safety concern associated with delta-8 THC is that it isn’t regulated. Cannabis dispensaries are subject to a range of regulations meant to help keep consumers safe. Because of its shaky legal status, delta-8 THC products aren’t subject to the same rules.
That means nothing is stopping unscrupulous actors from making a profit from ineffective or, worse, actively toxic products marketed as delta-8 THC. It might not shock you to learn that, of 16 delta-8 products from unregulated sources, none of them complied with the 2018 Farm Bill’s 0.3 percent THC limit, and some included harmful compounds like nickel, chromium, copper, and even lead.
Additional Safety Concerns
Unfortunately, the safety concerns associated with delta-8 THC don’t stop there. It might feel like a long time ago with everything that’s happened since, but the VAPI/EVALI lung crisis occurred in 2019. Vitamin E acetate added to unregulated modified vape cartridges caused those injuries and deaths.
People typically consume delta-8 THC via similar vape cartridges. The modification process means that contaminants have the opportunity to enter the cartridge and then, by extension, the lungs of consumers. While there’s yet to be a comprehensive study, anecdotal reports from social media indicate that people who use vape cartridges with illicitly added delta-8 THC are experiencing lung pain. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll soon be facing another similar crisis.
Finally, there’s the fact that delta-8 THC hasn’t been around for very long. People are enthusiastic about its effects and potential legal loopholes in states where cannabis products remain illegal or tightly regulated, but there hasn’t been much testing done. It’s possible that scientists complete studies and politicians pass regulations, delta-8 THC will be perfectly safe to use and even beneficial for some people. Until then, however, we recommend avoiding it.
If you’ve been wondering what’s the deal with delta-8, now you know. Cannabis has the potential to treat a range of health conditions and alleviate the symptoms of others. Right now, there’s no reason to seek out delta-8 THC over traditional cannabis products. If you’re interested in how medical marijuana from a safe, well-regulated dispensary could help you, get in touch with Medwell Health today for an appointment.
Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
