In the CBD industry, we spend a lot of time thinking about delta-9 THC, because tetrahydrocannabinol is the ingredient that’s always threatening to steal headlines and feed prejudice when we talk about cannabis and CBD.
So, why are we highlighting delta-9 here? Two simple reasons:
- We want to set the record straight on THC and CBD.
- The legally allowed amount of THC in full spectrum CBD offers a host of benefits for the mind and body that are often ignored.
Okay, so what is delta-9, what separates this form of THC from the delta-8 and delta-10 THC compounds we’re hearing so much about these days? Is it okay to have delta-9 THC in your CBD product? We have the answers.
What Is Delta-9 THC?
If you’re familiar with our articles, you know that we say that CBD is not psychoactive, meaning this cannabis compound can’t cause a high. Well, delta-9 is psychoactive and, in large enough amounts, will cause a high.
This psychoactive property is the reason the federal government legislates that full spectrum CBD products can have no more than 0.3% trace amounts of THC in them.
However, delta-9 possesses a wealth of wellness-boosting properties that are too-often overlooked because of the reputation of marijuana and THC.
Cannabis, Hemp, and Marijuana
Before we go further, we should make clear the distinction between the cannabis plant we use for CBD products and the cannabis used for marijuana.
There are two forms of the cannabis plant — cannabis hemp (also known as industrial hemp), and cannabis marijuana. Cannabis hemp contains only those trace amounts of THC that we mentioned above (less than 0.3% THC). Cannabis marijuana contains much more THC and causes a high.
All of our CBD products are derived from cannabis hemp. So, when we tell you about CBD products with delta-9 THC, that doesn’t mean they’re marijuana products.
THC and Full Spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD — derived from cannabis hemp — contains trace amounts of delta-9 THC, up to the 0.3% limit, as well as all the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids necessary for the Entourage Effect. Broad spectrum CBD products filter out the trace amounts of THC, as well as a few other cannabinoids. CBD isolate contains no hemp plant matter other than the CBD itself (99% pure CBD).
The Benefits of Delta-9 THC
People have used delta-9 THC for centuries for everything from minor pain relief to sleep support. Here are some of the more notable benefits of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Delta-9 THC for Minor Pain
Like CBD, delta-9 THC can help with minor aches and pains.** This can be useful after workouts or other physical activities.
Delta-9 THC for Stress & Mood
It’s pretty well known that THC can help people chill out. Cheech & Chong weren’t the first to figure that out — people have looked to cannabis for centuries to help with stress.**
Delta-9 THC for Sleep
Delta-9 THC is so relaxing that it can dramatically improve sleep quality, particularly when derived from indica strains of cannabis.**
Delta-8 vs. Delta-9 vs. Delta-10 THC
The THC you’re most familiar with is delta 9. Delta 9 THC is the psychoactive ingredient so closely regulated by law — and one of the two major cannabinoids found in cannabis (along with CBD). Delta 9 THC is the THC we work with in our products (within legal limits).
You’ve probably heard a lot about delta-8 and delta-10 THC recently. Like delta 9, delta-8 and delta-10 THC are cannabinoids found in cannabis hemp, and they are also psychoactive — although with lesser effects than delta 9. However, delta-8 and delta-10 only appear in hemp in very small amounts (which is why they are considered minor cannabinoids).
That means, in order to create a potent product, delta-8 and delta-10 THC products are created in a laboratory through solvent methods. For our delta 9 THC products, we prefer to use CO2 extraction to remove the THC from the cannabis hemp without solvents.
While delta-8 and delta-10 THC and HHC products are largely recreational, our CBD + Delta-9 THC line of products is intended for wellness use. For all three types of THC (delta 8, 9 and 10), though, you should understand that each can produce psychotropic effects if taken in large enough doses. So, consume responsibly.
Delta-9 THC, CBD, and the Endocannabinoid System
These two cannabinoids play very well together — that’s why Mother Nature put them in the same plant in the first place. Let’s look at how CBD and THC interact with our bodies to better understand how they work together.
CBD and delta-9 THC are two of hundreds of compounds found in the cannabis plant known as cannabinoids. THC and other cannabinoids, like CBG, CBC, and CBN, interact with receptors in a system in our bodies known as the endocannabinoid system**. Delta-9 THC is the only major cannabinoid that is psychoactive and causes a high in large amounts.
The endocannabinoid system is integrated with our central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as tissues and systems in our body that regulate mood, sleep, immune response, and more. When a cannabinoid interacts with a receptor in the endocannabinoid system, it imparts therapeutic effects**.
Read On: Terpenes, Flavonoids, and More!
In addition to cannabinoids, two other types of valuable compounds are found in cannabis and work with THC and CBD. These are terpenes and flavonoids. Terpenes are the compounds that give plants like cannabis, tea, sage, and more their scent. Flavonoids are the compounds that give fruits, vegetables, flowers and more their color. In addition to these characteristics, both terpenes and flavonoids are rich in other therapeutic benefits.
Cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids work together to create something known as the Entourage Effect. This is a synergistic process through which each individual ingredient modifies the effects of others while also contributing to a much more powerful overall effect.
In short, it’s the way the cannabis plant was intended to operate before we began extracting individual compounds. And this is where delta-9 THC comes so heavily into play with CBD products.
By ensuring that the full legal amount of THC is present in our full spectrum CBD products, we create the best-possible environment for the full Entourage Effect, making the best-performing formulas possible.
Shop CBD + Delta-9 THC Products
With our Delta-9 THC products, we simply topped off the THC level of your product, making the most of the legal threshold of THC in CBD products (keeping in mind the legal level of THC is 0.3%).
Our Full Spectrum CBD + Delta-9 THC products deliver the calming wellness benefits of full spectrum CBD — all the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids working together — along with maximized wellness benefits of THC.
Give our Full Spectrum CBD + Delta-9 THC Oil Tincture products (in CBD + THC Ultimate Chill and CBN + THC Sweet Dreams formulas) a try for yourself.
Or explore our Delta-9 THC Vape Pens, including Maui Wowie Delta-9 THC Vape Pen, Purple Punch Delta-9 THC Vape Pen, Pineapple Express Delta-9 THC Vape Pen, and Watermelon Skit Delta-9 THC Vape Pen. If you prefer to use a vape kit (make sure it’s designed for CBD or THC!), we have those same cannabis strains available in our THC Vape Juice collection.
And check out our THC gummies and THC capsules, including our Berry Buzz THC Gummies, Magic Melon THC Gummies, and Lemon Dream THC Gummies, plus our Microdose THC Capsules.
Learn More on Our Blog!
Interested in reading more about delta THC effects and products, the chemistry behind your favorite CBD and THC products, daily health and wellness, state by state legal guidelines, and the latest news on all things CBD (including a first look at all of our new products)? Make sure to check out our informative blog!
The Last Word on Delta-9 THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)
Delta-9 THC is a potent and underappreciated wellness booster**. Now that you’re familiar with what delta-9 is, what it does, and how you can legally benefit from it, you can see that delta-9 THC is much more than just “the thing in marijuana that gets you high.” Tetrahydrocannabinol is an incredible natural resource for the health of our bodies and minds.
Shop our complete line of Full Spectrum CBD + Delta-9 THC products!
Learn more about which states we can ship delta-9 products to.
- FDA Regulation of Cannabis and Cannabis-Derived Products, Including Cannabidiol (CBD). https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-regulation-cannabis-and-cannabis-derived-products-including-cannabidiol-cbd. 22 January 2021
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- A J Hampson, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. “Neuroprotective antioxidants from marijuana.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10863546/. 2000.
- R K Türker, S Kaymakcalan, Z S Ercan, Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de thérapie “Antihistaminic action of trans-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/239651/. 1975.
- Andrea L. Small-Howard, The Biochemical journal. “Anti-inflammatory potential of CB1-mediated cAMP elevation in mast cells.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1138953/. 25 May 2004.
- Linda A Parker, Erin M Rock, and Cheryl L Limebeer, British journal of pharmacology. “Regulation of nausea and vomiting by cannabinoids.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165951/. August 2011.
