You see the advertisements calling out to you begging you to take notice. The product is Delta 9 THC, and it is hard to escape the hype that has built up around it. However, you still have a sense of uncertainty as it is not clear to you if Delta 9 THC is "real weed" or merely a gimmick. So, the question remains, is Delta 9 THC the real deal, and should you give it a try today?
What is Delta 9 THC?
The term "Delta 9 THC" is actually shorthand for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol which is the primary active chemical in cannabis and is responsible for the feeling of being "high". It is found naturally in cannabis plants, and it is what consumers of these plants are seeking when they want to experience the true effects of cannabis.
Delta 9 THC binds to receptors in the human brain when it is consumed. Those receptors are responsible for things such as:
- Mood
- Memory
- Pain Sensations
- Appetite
This is how you can explain why the feeling of being high is often described as a euphoric feeling for most people. It also helps us to understand why certain feelings such as increased appetite (munchies, anyone?) are such common experiences for those who have consumed cannabis products.
Delta 9 THC is found in plentiful quantities in cannabis, but it is only found in trace amounts in hemp products. It is consumable via a number of different methods including smoking, as pills, or even in edible products.
It is said to have stronger impacts on one's physical and mental state compared to other similar products such as CBD or Delta 8 products. Those products are more commonly available throughout the country given the legal status of many cannabis products, but Delta 9 THC is said to have the strongest effects of any of the three.
The Source Matters: Hemp vs. Marijuana
You might be surprised to learn that chemically speaking, there is no difference between Delta 9 THC derived from hemp and Delta 9 THC that comes from marijuana - it is the same Delta 9 THC. However, the biggest difference is that it is just founder in higher quantities in marijuana than it is hemp. If you are consuming a THC edible, however, it does not make a difference what the source is (you can find a similar range of THC dosage of both marijuana-derived and hemp-derived THC edibles).
Let's take a look at some of those differences and why they matter:
Source
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 - Comes from hemp plants themselves. This is important in a legal sense because it is defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. That matters in areas that have legalized CBD and Delta products but have not legalized other cannabis products.
- Marijuana-Derived Delta 9 - Comes from marijuana plants and is defined as cannabis with a weight that is greater than 0.3% THC by dry weight. This makes it outlawed in many jurisdictions that have not legalized this type of cannabis.
Concentration of THC
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 - The amount of THC available naturally in hemp-derived Delta 9 is low. Companies (like Evn) that sell this product (to meet legal standards) must work diligently to extract THC is available naturally.
- Marijuana-Derived Delta 9 - THC is widely available in the marijuana plant. It is fairly easy to extract THC directly from the buds of this plant and use them to create THC products of all kinds.
Legality
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 - Permitted federally as long as the THC content remains below the 0.3% by dry weight threshold. This is due to the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that opened the door for this market.
- Marijuana-Derived Delta 9 - Federally, this type of Delta 9 remains illegal. However, under state laws in certain areas it is permitted. Examples include states like Colorado and Arizona. That said, federal law trumps state law, and it is still advisable to be cautious about the consumption or possession of products that are federally restricted.
Available Product Types
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 - There are many different types of products that one might enjoy that contain hemp-derived Delta 9, but common ones include vapes, tinctures, gummies, and even certain types of drinks. Those drinks will be labeled "Farm Bill compliant" to allow consumers to know that they are legally permitted to consume them anywhere in the country.
- Marijuana-Derived Delta 9 - Product selections are often similar to what you will find with hemp-derived Delta 9 where marijuana-derived Delta 9 is available.
Availability
- Hemp-Derived Delta 9 - After the passage of the Farm Bill in 2018, the availability of hemp-derived Delta 9 exploded as it is the federally-legal version of this product, and many companies have spotted an opportunity to make a significant amount of money from it.
- Marijuana-Derived Delta 9 - Not nearly as widely available as hemp-derived Delta 9 given its legal status. Some states permit the sale of marijuana-derived Delta 9 under state law, but federal law still prohibits it. Those who wish to try this will need to check with their local shop to see if they can get their hands on it.
Legal Clarity (Or Lack Thereof!)
Speaking of the legality of Delta 9 THC in its various forms, it is important to note that the legality of purchasing or possessing this substance varies from state to state. Although the laws have loosened up considerably compared to where things stood just a few years ago, things are still being hammered out in many jurisdictions.
On the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill opened the door for hemp-derived Delta 9 products to be legally sold in all 50 states as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
It takes a considerable amount of effort to obtain any THC at all from a hemp plant, and that makes the process of creating such products far more burdensome than it would be to obtain THC from marijuana plants. That said, in order to follow the letter of the law, it is necessary for companies to only sell Delta 9 THC products that conform to those standards.
As far as Delta 9 THC products from marijuana plants, it is possible to purchase this product in certain states. Which states allow it all boils down to what the local laws are for that area. Certain states have placed themselves at the forefront of Delta 9 THC legalization and have opened up their state laws to allow for the sale of products that are derived from marijuana.
That being said, these products are still illegal at a federal level, so it is not fair to say that it is completely without risk to purchase them even in states where the state law allows for this to happen.
In addition to these legal distinctions, there are also some other regulatory hurdles that must be considered as well. For example:
- Age Restrictions - It is generally illegal for individuals under 21 to attempt to purchase THC products even in states where those products are legal. Some areas have set the legal age at 18, but it is important to note what the minimum age for purchase is in the area where you are considering making your purchase before you do so.
- Shipping Regulations - There are often restrictions on shipping THC products to various addresses where these products are not legal. The companies are not interested in trying to ship their products to a jurisdiction where it is illegal for someone to be in possession of THC products. Typically speaking, when trying to order online, the website will warn you if you are requesting a shipment to an address that is restricted by the company.
The Experience Factor
If you are planning on smoking flower, something to consider when weighing your options regarding purchasing hemp-derived Delta 9 THC or marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC is to think about the experience that you are likely to have. Again, if you are ingesting edibles, this is not applicable, as THC dosages will be within a similar range (usually between 1 - 10 mg per gummy regardless of the source.
Those who have taken marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC say that it tends to have a higher level of potency and that it also gives them a feeling of being high that is more genuine and more powerful. They tend to prefer it to the marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC that they can purchase almost anywhere. Of course, you will only have the opportunity to enjoy all that marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC has to offer if you happen to be in a state where it is legal and available.
Final Takeaway
You must surely still wonder from time to time if it is possible to have the experience of "real weed" no matter where you are. The answer lies in what you consider to be a real weed experience. For some people, nothing short of marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC does the trick for them. On the other hand, there are those who will tell you that they can do just fine with hemp-derived Delta 9 THC and that it still offers them the lift that they are looking for.
At the end of the day, the answer to your question largely lies in your own personal feelings on the matter. What is not a matter of personal opinion is the availability of these two products. Hemp-derived Delta 9 THC is far more available than marijuana-derived Delta 9 THC, and you can ultimately still have a highly enjoyable experience with either product.
References
1) Hillard CJ, Bloom AS. delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol-induced changes in beta-adrenergic receptor binding in mouse cerebral cortex. Brain Res. 1982 Mar 11;235(2):370-7. doi: 10.1016/0006-8993(82)91016-2. PMID: 6329417.
2) U.S. Department of Agriculture. (n.d.). Farm Bill. https://www.usda.gov/farming-and-ranching/farm-bill
