What Is Delta 8 THC?

There are over 100 cannabinoids in a cannabis plant. While there is plenty of information about the primary cannabinoids, CBD and Delta 9 THC, few people know about the minor or secondary cannabinoids, such as Delta 8 THC.

The Delta 8 THC molecule is a secondary cannabinoid occurring in a cannabis plant in minimal amounts. Some view it as a degraded form of THC because the plant’s cannabinoid-synthesizing enzymes do not directly produce it. That’s why manufacturers, growers, and extractors have to use molecular isolation and selective breeding to access Delta 8 THC in more significant quantities.

The compound shares a few similarities with Delta 9 THC. The main difference between the two is that the effects of Delta 8 THC tend to have less potency than those of Delta 9 THC.

How can I spot Delta 8?

Though the term might seem new to you, there is a good chance that you have already consumed Delta 8 THC, especially if you have ever used broad-spectrum or certain CBD products.

Manufacturers extract Delta 8 THC from hemp or, more specifically, cannabis Sativa L. Many people are, however, not aware of this because of how new Delta 8 THC extraction is. Also, the continuously changing hemp regulation does tend to cause quite a bit of confusion.

Delta 8 vs. Delta 9 THC

Both Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC contain double bonds. The difference is that, in Delta 8 THC, the double chemical bond is found on the eighth carbon, while in Delta 9 THC, it is on the ninth carbon in the carbon chain.

Another difference between the two is in the way they function. Delta 9 THC only combines with the CB1 receptors in your endocannabinoid system. Similar to CBD, Delta 8 THC binds to both CB1 and CB2 receptors. This difference is one reason why some users view Delta 8 THC as the middle ground between Delta 9 THC and CBD.

Delta 8 vs. CBD

Seeing that both Delta 8 THC and CBD combine to the same receptors in your central nervous system, you might end up thinking that the two are the same. While you might be right on some level, there are a few differences. The main difference between Delta 8 THC and CBD is the fact that Delta 8 THC has psychoactive effects.

While CBD does have a ton of behind-the-scenes advantages that many might not be aware of, one complaint many CBD users have is the lack of psychoactive effects.

On the other hand, with Delta 8 THC, you get to enjoy all the benefits that CBD offers, with psychoactive effects that are still far less potent than those you would experience with Delta 9 THC.

This variance makes Delta 8 THC perfect if you crave something more intense than CBD but less potent than Delta 9 THC.

Where Is Delta 8 Available?

Delta 8 THC is naturally occurring in marijuana and hemp and can also be found in broad- and full-spectrum CBD.

Since it is found in trace amounts, manufacturers have to start by extracting the CBD isolate from hemp, then get Delta 8 distillate through the isomerization of CBD. Though the process can be expensive and time-consuming, it is the best way to ensure that the Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol you are consuming is of the highest possible quality.

Delta 8 THC is available in various online stores, CBD and smoke shops, marijuana dispensaries, and retail stores.

How Long Does Delta 8 Stay in Your System?

The effects of Delta 8 THC usually take longer to kick in and often last half as long as the effects of Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC is said by many to produce a milder experience than Delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC can remain in your system up to 48 days after ingesting.

How Does Delta 8 Work and How Long Do Its Effects Last?

The main reason why Delta 8 THC can have such an effect on your body is because of its ability to bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in your central nervous system.

However, how long Delta 8 THC remains in your system differs depending on how you use it and the frequency of use.

For instance, if you use vape products such as pods or Delta 8 THC cartridges, the effects generally begin in about six minutes, lasting up to five hours. In most cases, the effects’ peak will hit you anywhere between 30 minutes and two and a half hours. However, this period can vary depending on your metabolism and the type of Delta 8 THC product you are taking.

This period won’t be the same if you are taking Delta 8 gummies, tinctures, or edibles. The onset of the effects is often longer for such options, sometimes taking anywhere between 30 minutes and one hour and a half for you to feel anything. This difference is because your body takes much longer to metabolize the Delta 8 THC when you ingest it.

Once you start to feel the effects, you will feel them at a higher intensity because the Delta 8 THC in your system will be more concentrated. In most cases, the effects generally last up to five hours.

Will Delta 8 Show Up in a Drug Test?

The short answer is yes. Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid and, though its effects are not as potent as Delta 9 THC, it will still show up on a drug test. This is because most drug tests check for the presence of any THC, including the hemp-extract, Delta 8 THC.

The more complex answer is, it all depends on when the test is administered and the type of test being conducted.

THC remains in your blood and saliva for up to two days. On the other hand, THC will stay in your urine for up to 48 days. Therefore, if you undergo a blood or saliva test within two days after taking Delta 8 THC or undergo a urine test before the 48 days are over, you will likely fail the test.

Another thing to consider when determining how long the THC will stay in your system is how often you use Delta 8 THC. For instance, THC can remain in your urine for eight days if you use Delta 8 only once. It can, however, last 18 days if you use it for four days while using Delta 8 for six days and above will see it stay in your system for up to 48 days.

In some cases, you could end up with test results that have a false positive. This result is because such tests do not usually look for the chemical itself but the metabolites lefts behind by the consumption of said chemical. Considering Delta 8 THC binds with CB1 receptors and gets metabolized in the same way, your test results could display that you have Delta 9 THC in your system.

Is Delta 8 Legal?

The legality of Delta 8 is somewhat complicated. For the most part, the good news is that Delta 8 THC has been considered legal in most states since the 2018 Hemp Farm Bill was passed into law.

The bill removed the hemp plant and all its derivatives from the category of illegal marijuana. Since then, distillates such as Delta 8 have taken center stage, gradually going from being an unknown compound to being consumed by the general market.

There is a stipulation, however. While the 2018 Farm Bill permits the manufacturing and sale of hemp-derived products, those products must contain less than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC.

The Controlled Substance Act also makes further amendments, removing any tetrahydrocannabinol derived from hemp from the list of Schedule I narcotics. This amendment is meant to protect manufacturing as long as companies comply with the legally allowed level of Delta 9 THC.

We should point out that this law does not apply to every state in the country. Some states have different local regulatory laws banning the manufacture and consumption of all hemp plant products, including Delta 8 THC.

If you live in any of the following states, then, unfortunately, you are not legally allowed to consume Delta 8 THC:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Kentucky
• Idaho
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New York
• Nevada
• Rhode Island
• Utah
• Vermont
• Washington
• Michigan
• North Dakota

Where To Buy Delta 8 THC

Buying Delta 8 THC is as easy as stepping into any CBD shop and marijuana dispensary in the United States or logging onto any online store. While there are various places you can buy Delta 8 THC from, it is essential to check the suitability and quality of the products you are purchasing.

To ensure that you get quality products, always purchase your Delta 8 THC from established, reputable sources, sellers, and producers. This decision will also go a long way in ensuring that the Delta 8 THC you are buying is safe for consumption. If you are looking for a trusted source that can provide you with safe Delta 8 THC products, look no further than Puffeze.

We are an online retailer that has been serving cannabinoids for more than ten years. We offer the most extensive array of Delta 8 products, delivering the highest level of service to our customers.

Every Delta 8 product we sell goes through third-party lab testing to ensure compliance and safety. Additionally, we do not use any harsh chemicals or solvents and include a Certificate of Analysis on every product page.

You can browse through the excellent options we have. If you would like to get more information on the Delta 8 products we carry, feel free to give us a call on 1-888-Puffeze or email us at info@puffeze.com.

Vape Mail Ban

If you’re a vape user, you’ve likely seen recent news surrounding the upcoming “vape mail ban” in the United States. The omnibus spending bill that then-President Trump signed into law on December 27, 2020, to fund the U.S. government contained language seemingly unrelated to an appropriations bill or COVID-19 relief package. Instead, it restricts online sales of vape products by regulating the shipping of these items through the U.S. Postal Service.

In an effort to reduce the supply of e-cigarettes to children, the “Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act” (page 5136) adds further restrictions to the online distribution of vape products. This 2020 act was an amendment to what is known as the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act of 2009. While the name of the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act implies good intentions, most people are referring to it as a complete “vape mail ban.”

The new vape mail law will have a major impact on your ability to purchase vaping products online. Vape users, vape shops, and all other vape-related parties must understand the regulations in order to avoid stiff penalties. Here, we overview the vape mail ban and how it may impact your access to vaping products.

What is the Vape Mail Ban?

The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act is effectively a ban on mailing vaping products within the United States through the U.S. mail system. While the purpose of this act purports to be to prevent children from becoming hooked on vape products, in practice, the ban will impact all vapers who rely on the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to receive vaping products.

Once the bill comes into effect in late March of 2021, the USPS will no longer be able to ship vaping products. While the intention of this law is to prevent nicotine access via mail, it will also apply to any vaping product, even those that do not contain nicotine, including:

• synthetic “tobacco-free” nicotine e-cigarettes
• zero-nicotine e-liquids
• CBD, THC, or hemp vape pens

While banning shipments through the U.S. Postal Service is difficult enough for the vaping community, this means that all nicotine and non-nicotine vaping suppliers will also need to conform to the PACT Act. We’ll explore this law in more detail in the section below.

What is the PACT Act?

The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act is a law that regulates the supply of traditional tobacco products in the United States. The legislation is an amended extension of the federal Jenkins Act of 1949. It outlines delivery regulations, excise taxes, tax stamps, nicotine rules, and a host of other laws related to tobacco shipments and sales.

The PACT Act will now apply to vapor products, which means that vape companies will be subject to the same regulations to which traditional tobacco suppliers adhere. Let’s explore some of the key features that will apply to vaping distributors:

• All those who sell or distribute vaping or smoking products must register with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
• Depending on each state and its tax arrangements, suppliers may need to register with state tobacco tax administrators not only in their base locations but also in states to which they are selling
• Suppliers must collect state and local taxes and adhere to tax stamp regulations when selling a product
• Sellers must report transactions, customer names, customer addresses, and sale details (items and quantities) to the state tobacco tax administrator
• Only private shipping companies will be available for shipping vaping products
• Customer age verification will be necessary (commercial databases)
• An adult signature at the point of delivery is mandatory

Stringent penalties will be in effect for not following the regulations outlined in the PACT Act, so it’s essential to read the bill yourself and speak with an attorney to ensure that your business is compliant. Some rule-breakers may face jail sentences of up to three years.

When Will This Go Into Effect?

For those concerned about the start of the ban, the law will go into place 90 days after the signing of the act, which is around March 27, 2021. The USPS has 120 days from the signing of the bill to create regulations that prevent the shipment of vaping items. Exactly how these regulations will develop will be clearer when the requirements come into place, but it’s clear that the USPS is taking the ban very seriously.

What Does This Mean for Residential Consumers?

For residential consumers, this means that vape shipments will be next-to-impossible to receive domestically. While private shippers will not be subject to all the new legal requirements that the USPS is subject to, companies like FedEx and UPS have experienced pressure from anti-smoking advocates and have decided to halt their vaping delivery services as well.

What Does This Mean for Distributors?

For distributors, such as vape shops and online stores that sell vape products, this new legislation will have a profound impact. In an effort to tax vaping products and regulate the industry, the U.S. government and state tobacco tax administrators will make it much more difficult to operate a vape shop.

For online retailers, this will require compliance with shipping, ID regulations, and other regulations. The writers of these bills appear extremely serious about penalties. As a warning to suppliers, penalties for breaking the ban can include jail sentences.

Brick-and-mortar businesses will need to adapt to ensure that their supply chain is not impacted by the PACT Act or the USPS ban. Suppliers will no longer be able to use the USPS. Planning ahead to prevent shortages will be essential.

Where Can I Stock Up on Vape Products Now?

With nicotine delivery systems drying up around the country, you’re likely wondering how you can stock up on your favorite vaping items. While home delivery will be available in some circumstances before the law goes into effect, you will not be able to rely on traditional USPS shipping services in the future.

Unfortunately, this is also a warning to individuals who enjoy vaping cannabis products. The same challenges will apply. At Puffeze, we’ve been working diligently to ensure that we will be able to continue to provide our products to consumers and vape suppliers.

If you’re concerned that the bill will result in your local vape shop losing your favorite nicotine or cannabis vape product, make sure to head into the store to ask the proprietors about their plans for the upcoming change in the law. Let them know that Puffeze is developing unique capabilities to ensure that supply chains will remain uninterrupted.