How Delta 8 is Produced: from Plant to Product
Delta 8 THC products are becoming increasingly popular, but the scarcity of the compound may make you wonder how manufacturers produce delta 8 THC from hemp.
Delta 8 THC is now a big hit on the hemp-derived market; now, you can find Δ8 THC products of any kind like tinctures, softgels, edibles, and vaporizers, and they are available from countless retailers. Although Delta 8 is technically hemp-derived, its concentrations in hemp reach only up to 1%, which is not enough for manufacturers to extract usable amounts of the cannabinoid. So instead, they use hemp-extracted CBD or other cannabinoids to convert them to delta 8 THC in the lab. Although lab-made, Delta 8 THC is not a synthetic cannabinoid, and as its found in hemp and made from hemp-derived ingredients, Delta 8 THC is still a hemp-derived compound.
Now that you want to get started with the new famous cannabinoid, you may want to dive deeper into how Delta 8 THC is produced, so here’s everything you need to know how the cannabinoid is made from plant to product.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8, Delta 8 THC, D8 — all stand for Delta 8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), a compound in the cannabis plants — marijuana and hemp. The cannabinoid was first discovered in 1965 but became incredibly popular after the 2018 Farm Bill and the legalization of hemp-derived products.
Delta 8 THC vs. Delta 9 THC
Although you have probably already heard about THC and its effects, Delta 8 is notably different from the famous Delta 9 THC — the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Unlike Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 is federally legal per the 2018 Farm Bill, and it’s also half as psychoactive as the latter.
Delta 8 THC is one of the variants of THC, and like Delta 9 THC, it’s a psychoactive compound, but its effects are milder and smoother. Usually, Delta 8 THC products don’t cause the common side effects of Delta 9 THC, like irritability and paranoia.
How is Delta 8 THC Created?
Delta 8 THC is a rare compound, and it can reach only 1% in mature hemp. Therefore, extracting Delta 8 THC directly from hemp for creating Delta 8 THC products is implausible. Instead, manufacturers use a chemical process that converts CBD or other cannabinoid isolates into delta 8 THC. Cannabinoids have a very similar chemical structure, so converting one to another is a relatively easy task. CBD is a much more prevalent compound in hemp, so the standard method of creating Delta 8 THC involves extracting CBD from hemp and using the isolate to convert it to Delta 8 THC.
There’re two primary ways of extracting CBD or other cannabinoids from the hemp plant – solvent extraction and CO2 extraction. The CO2 extraction method is widely used by premium Delta 8 THC and CBD brands. It uses carbon dioxide gas to extract cannabinoids from the hemp plant. CO2 gas becomes a liquid during the extraction process. Once the cannabinoids are in the solution and the liquid returns to normal temperature, CO2 evaporates without leaving a residue in the extract.
Solvent extraction, although cheaper, is a less preferred method as it requires butane, ethanol, propane, all of which usually leave a toxic residue in the extract. The CO2 extraction method is a much safer choice to extract CBD from hemp.
Once manufacturers extract CBD from hemp, they use a simple isomerization process that chemically adjusts CBD isolate and converts it to Delta 8 THC. From there, they can use Delta 8 THC to create:
- Delta 8 flower — Hemp flowers sprayed with Delta 8 distillate,
- Delta 8 THC tincture —Delta 8 THC tincture is Delta 8 THC diffused in carrier oils. Tinctures are usually flavored and come with a dropper allowing sublingual consumption.
- Delta 8 THC Edibles: Delta 8 THC infused foods are popular on the market, with CBD gummies being the most popular product type.
- Delta 8 THC Softgels: Delta 8 THC softgels combine a carrier oil with Delta 8 THC inside a soft-shelled capsule.
- Delta 8 THC vape cartridges – vape cartridges feature Delta 8 THC distillate.
- Delta 8 Concentrates – pure highly concentrated Delta 8 THC distillate.
Important Aspects in the Production of Delta 8 THC
Although Delta 8 THC products are now all around you, and all you need to acquire one is a few clicks to order it online or a walk to one of the local stores, not all Delta 8 THC products are made equally. Here’re the primary factors to consider before shopping for Delta 8 THC products.
Origin of Hemp
Hemp’s origin plays a crucial part in the quality of cannabinoids. Hemp grown in contaminated land can contain harmful ingredients like heavy metals. Moreover, foreign hemp is usually not organic, meaning farmers use pesticides in the growing process, detrimental to human health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture oversees hemp cultivation in the U.S. It has established strict guidelines for American hemp farmers, ensuring that U.S.-grown hemp doesn’t grow in soil with toxins and heavy metals and farmers don’t use pesticides in the growing process. As the origin of hemp can significantly impact the quality of Delta 8 THC products, we recommend shopping for products made from U.S.-grown hemp.
How is Delta 8 Made?
There are two primary ways of extracting cannabinoids from hemp — solvent extraction and CO2 extraction. The solvent extraction method can leave toxic residue in the extract. so consider buying from brands that use the CO2 extraction method, like CBD before conversion to Delta 8 THC.
Third-Party Lab Testing
The Hemp-derived market is pretty unregulated, and the demand for hemp-derived compounds has resulted in an increased number of manufacturers. Unfortunately, some of them cut corners in the production and make false claims about their products. Nearly 70% of CBD products, for instance, might be mislabeled, and Delta 8 THC products possess the same risk. Reputable manufacturers always third-party lab test their ingredients and products to ensure their potency and quality. If you want to ensure you are indeed buying a high-quality product, always look for third-party lab test results that confirm the product’s quality and purity. Lab results can determine the amount of each cannabinoid in the product and show if it contains any contaminants or harmful ingredients.
Shop for Premium-Grade Delta 8 THC Products at The Hemp Doctor Today!
We use U.S.-grown hemp and advanced and safe production methods to extract CBD from hemp and convert it to Delta 8 THC. Moreover, we third-party lab test all products in our inventory to be well-assured to provide only the premium solutions.
At The Hemp Doctor, you can find the highest quality hemp-derived Delta 8 THC in our organic, gluten-free, kosher-friendly products. Here you can choose between:
● Delta-8 Hemp-Derived THC Glass Syringe,
Visit our online store and start your journey with Delta 8 THC using the top-grade products on the market! Here are some helpful hints on how to store your Delta 8 products.
