In recent years, a new cannabis product has been gaining popularity – Delta 8 THC vapes. Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a hemp-derived cannabinoid that is similar in structure to the more well-known Delta 9 THC found in marijuana. However, Delta 8 offers a slightly different experience that some consumers find preferable.
While Delta 9 THC has remained illegal at the federal level, Delta 8 products have flourished in a legal gray area thanks to a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. This legislation removed hemp and its derivatives from the Controlled Substances Act, paving the way for the sale of Delta 8 extracts, edibles, vapes, and more.
Delta 8 vape cartridges and disposable vapes have quickly become one of the most popular product categories in this booming market. With their convenience, discreet form factor, and reported “mellower” effects compared to traditional marijuana, Delta 8 vapes have captured the interest of both experienced cannabis consumers and those simply curious about this newly emerged cannabinoid.
As the legal landscape continues to shift and research emerges on Delta 8’s effects and safety profile, this unique hemp derivative is shaking up the cannabis space. This article aims to provide an informative overview of what Delta 8 vapes are, how they work, the user experience, potential benefits and risks, and the evolving regulations surrounding them.
Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is an isomer of cannabidiol (CBD), which means it has the same molecular formula (C21H30O2) but a slightly different arrangement of atoms. While very chemically similar, this small difference is enough to produce slightly different effects when compared to the more commonly known Delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 THC occurs naturally in very small trace amounts in hemp and cannabis plants. However, it typically gets converted into other cannabinoid forms during the decarboxylation process. As a result, concentrated Delta 8 THC products are usually made by chemically isomerizing CBD extract from hemp plants.
This isomerization process converts CBD into Delta 8 THC through a fairly inexpensive manufacturing technique. While Delta 9 THC remains strictly controlled, this hemp-derived loophole has allowed Delta 8 distillates, edibles, vapes, and other products to be sold relatively freely in many states.
Delta 8’s molecular similarity to Delta 9 allows it to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system in a very comparable way. However, users frequently report that Delta 8 produces a more functional, clear-headed high compared to typical marijuana. Some also claim it provides some of the therapeutic benefits like pain and nausea relief but without as intense psychoactivity.
Like its close relative Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC is a psychoactive compound that can produce a notable “high” when consumed. However, many describe the Delta 8 experience as being somewhat different and potentially preferable compared to typical marijuana.
Most users report that Delta 8 produces milder effects that feel like a lower dose of Delta 9 THC. The high is often described as more clear-headed, energetic, and functional without as much of the raciness, paranoia, or couch-lock frequently associated with potent cannabis strains high in Delta 9.
That said, Delta 8 THC absolutely does have intoxicating and impairing effects. Typical experiences include feelings of euphoria, relaxation, altered visual/auditory perception, increased appetite, and impaired motor skills and cognitive function. The intensity can vary based on factors like dosage, consumption method, individual tolerance, and the specific product formulation.
Beyond its psychoactive properties, Delta 8 THC may also share some potential therapeutic benefits with its cannabinoid cousins Delta 9 THC and CBD. Many consumers report relief from pain, nausea, stress, and other conditions when using Delta 8 products. However, robust clinical research on Delta 8’s medicinal applications is still very limited.
Onset time and duration can differ based on the consumption method. When vaping or smoking Delta 8, effects kick in quickly within 5-10 minutes and peak around 30-60 minutes. Effects typically last 3-8 hours in total. With edibles, onset takes longer at 1-2 hours but the high may last over 6 hours.
As with any cannabis product, hydration is recommended when consuming Delta 8 THC. Common side effects can include dry mouth, red eyes, dizziness, increased appetite, and short-term memory issues. Overall, most report that Delta 8 produces milder adverse effects compared to Delta 9 THC when used responsibly.
One of the most popular ways to consume Delta 8 THC is through vaping products like vape cartridges and disposable vapes. These products typically contain Delta 8 distillate mixed with terpene blends and cutting agents like vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol.
Delta 8 vape cartridges are designed to be attachable to a standard 510-thread battery. The cartridge contains a tank filled with the Delta 8 vape juice which gets vaporized by an internal coil when activated. Disposable Delta 8 vape pens are all-in-one units with an integrated coil, tank, and battery.
Some Delta 8 vapes contain only the pure Delta 8 distillate, while others feature blends with added cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, or THCV. These formulations can tweak the effects profile, with CBD tending to mellow out the high and THCV potentially adding an extra energy boost.
Vaping Delta 8 allows for extremely fast onset compared to other consumption methods like edibles. Users generally begin feeling effects within 5-10 minutes of their first puff. The high then peaks around 30-60 minutes later before gradually tapering off over the next few hours.
Along with its fast-acting nature, many prefer vaping Delta 8 due to its convenience, portability, and discrete form factor compared to smoking dried cannabis flower. The sleek vape cartridges and pens also avoid the telltale odor associated with combustion.
While efficient for delivering the active Delta 8 compound, vaping does pose some potential health risks from inhaling aerosols and byproducts produced during the vaporization process. As with any concentrate-based vape product, responsible sourcing and moderation is advised.
While delta 8 THC distillate is the key ingredient, it’s formulated into a variety of different vape products to meet consumer preferences. The main types of delta 8 vapes include:
These refillable tank cartridges contain delta-8 THC distillate mixed with terpenes and cutting agents like vegetable glycerin or propylene glycol. Cartridges attach to a separate battery for vaping. Popular cart sizes are 0.5g and 1g.
An all-in-one vape pen with an integrated coil, tank, and battery. The delta 8 distillate is pre-filled, allowing for a simple inhale-activated draw. Disposables typically range from 0.3g to 1g capacity.
Similar to an e-cigarette, these rechargeable delta-8 THC vape pens allow you to repeatedly swap out replaceable delta-8 THC distillate tank cartridges.
While more research is still needed, delta 8 THC vape pens may offer several potential benefits compared to other cannabis consumption methods:
Unlike edibles which can take 1-2 hours to kick in, vaping delta-8 THC provides an extremely rapid onset – usually within 5-10 minutes. This makes vape pen ideal for quickly achieving desired effects.
Delta-8 THC vape pen is extremely portable and low-odor compared to smoking flower. This allows for more discreet consumption on-the-go or in public settings.
With vape pens and cartridges, it’s easier to gauge and control your delta-8 THC dosage by tracking puffs/inhalations. Edibles can be trickier to accurately dose.
Early anecdotal reports suggest delta-8 THC may provide some of the therapeutic upsides like pain relief, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety effects often associated with delta-9 THC.
For consumers seeking a less powerful or overwhelming psychoactive experience compared to traditional marijuana, delta-8 THC vape pen may fit the bill better.
In states where cannabis remains entirely illegal, hemp-derived delta-8 vapes have represented a legal alternative for accessing regulated THC products.
Instead of the sedative “couch-lock” common with indica strains, some report delta-8 vapes provide more clear-headed, uplifting, and functional effects.
Of course, delta-8 also shares downsides with any inhalable vapor product. Potential respiratory risks, regulation challenges, and inconsistent product quality remain concerns.
But for many cannabis consumers, the combination of delta-8’s quick onset, lower psychoactive intensity, potential therapeutic value, energizing experience, and legal status have made vape pens an appealing product format to explore. More objective research can help fully understand delta-8’s risk/benefit profile.
As a relatively new cannabinoid product, the long-term safety profile of Delta 8 THC is still largely unknown. Very little rigorous scientific research has been conducted specifically on Delta 8 and its effects.
From the limited data and anecdotal reports so far, Delta 8 appears to produce similar side effects to Delta 9 THC, though potentially milder for many users. Common adverse effects reported include:
Beyond these general side effects, there are also some unique potential risks to consider with unregulated Delta 8 products. Crude extraction and conversion processes could potentially leave residual solvents, heavy metals, or other contaminants in lower-quality distillates.
There have also been reports of Delta 8 vape products containing cutting agents or additives that may produce additional health risks when inhaled. Vitamin E acetate, for example, has been linked to e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
User experiences of adverse effects appear to vary significantly between different brands and product formulations. This underscores the need for stricter manufacturing standards, third-party testing requirements, and regulations around Delta 8 products.
It’s also important for consumers to exercise caution with appropriate dosing and not overconsume edible Delta 8 products. While often regarded as “weed-lite”, higher doses of Delta 8 can still induce negative effects like anxiety, paranoia, or even vomiting and psychosis in very high amounts.
Overall, while Delta 8 THC seems to have a relatively mild safety profile based on early evidence, significantly more research is still needed. Users should exercise common sense precautions, only purchase from reputable vendors, and be aware of potential risks until more data is available.
One of the biggest questions surrounding delta 8 THC products like vapes is whether they actually produce a psychoactive high similar to traditional marijuana. The answer is yes – delta 8 THC is an intoxicating compound that can cause a noticeable high when consumed.
However, most users report that the delta-8 high feels slightly different compared to the effects of delta-9 THC, which is the primary psychoactive component in cannabis plants. The delta-8 experience is often described as being somewhat milder and more functionally energetic without as much of the intense cerebral sensation or sedative “couch-lock” feeling.
When vaping delta-8 distillate, the onset of effects kicks in very quickly, usually within 5-10 minutes after the first puff. The high typically peaks around 30-60 minutes later before leveling off and gradually dissipating over the next few hours.
Experiences can vary based on factors like an individual’s tolerance, the specific delta-8 product formulation, and dosage amount. Some report delta-8 distillate producing clear-headed effects that allow them to remain productive and focused. Others experience more pronounced psychoactivity akin to regular cannabis when taking higher doses.
Overall, reputable delta-8 brands and consumers alike emphasize that these hemp-derived vape products absolutely do have legitimate intoxicating properties. While often portrayed as a milder, legal alternative to marijuana, delta-8 should still be consumed responsibly and can cause impairment, particularly at higher dosage levels.
The legality of Delta 8 THC products exists in a bit of a regulatory gray area currently. On a federal level, Delta 8 was essentially legalized by a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. This legislation removed hemp and its naturally-occurring derivatives like CBD from the Controlled Substances Act.
Since Delta 8 can be extracted and synthesized from legal hemp material, products containing it have proliferated quasi-legally. The laws did not explicitly mention Delta 8, so it has avoided regulation as a controlled substance like Delta 9 disposable THC vapes.
However, this legal situation remains precarious and dynamic. In 2022, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable urged the US Cannabis Administration and DEA to regulate Delta 8 products for consumer safety. There have also been efforts in Congress to draft legislation explicitly banning or restricting intoxicating cannabinoids like Delta 8.
On a state level, the laws are even more of a patchwork. Over a dozen states have banned or heavily regulated Delta 8 production and sales through legislation or agency rules. These include Colorado, Michigan, New York, Washington and several others.
However, many states have not taken action, allowing a flourishing market for Delta 8 gummies, vapes, flower and more to develop openly in stores and online. This creates a confusing situation where Delta 8 is technically legal federally but prohibited in certain states.
Overall, the legal future of Delta 8 is very much uncertain. More guidance or crackdowns from federal agencies could drastically impact the industry. Even if allowed, Delta 8 may become more stringently regulated like the CBD market. Staying up-to-date on evolving state laws and regulations will be essential for both businesses and consumers.
While delta 8 THC products exist in a bit of a legal gray area on the federal level, an increasing number of U.S. states have moved to regulate or outright ban delta-8. As of early 2024, here are some of the key states where delta-8 is illegal or heavily restricted:
Banned States:
In these states, the production, sale, possession, and/or consumption of delta-8 products has been prohibited through legislation or state agency rules and enforcement actions.
Restricted States:
While not outright banned, these states have implemented various regulations around delta-8, such as prohibiting certain product types, requiring product testing, setting potency limits, or only allowing sales to adults 21 and over.
The remaining states have not taken specific action to ban or regulate delta-8 as of early 2024. However, the legal situation remains very fluid, with more states expected to address delta-8 through new regulations or legislation.
It’s important for delta-8 businesses and consumers alike to stay up-to-date on their specific state laws. Even in states where delta-8 is currently permitted, rules around testing, labeling, purchase age, and approved product types may change with little notice based on the evolving regulatory environment around this novel cannabinoid.
The cost of delta 8 THC vape products can vary considerably based on factors like brand, product type, potency, formulation, and quantity. However, most delta-8 vape cartridges and disposable vapes tend to fall into the following general price ranges:
At the lower end, you’ll find basic delta-8 distillate vapes from budget brands or suppliers. Stepping up in price, premium brands may use higher quality delta-8 distillate, superior hardware, and more exotic terpene flavors. Distillate formulated with added cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, or strain-specific terpenes will also raise the cost.
Delta-8 THC vape cartridges compatible with 510-thread batteries tend to be more affordable upfront compared to all-in-one disposable vape pens which have an integrated battery. However, disposables offer more convenience.
Bundle and bulk pricing can further reduce per-unit costs when purchasing multiple delta-8 vape products at once. Many retailers also offer new customer discounts or subscription pricing to incentivize larger orders. Sale pricing on delta-8 vapes is also commonly found.
As the market for delta-8 products grows increasingly saturated, prices have started dropping to more competitive levels across the board. However, rock-bottom delta-8 vape prices from untested brands should raise quality concerns.
Overall, most moderate delta-8 users can expect to pay roughly $20-$40 per THC cartridge or disposable pen when purchasing from reputable brands. Heavier consumption will increase expenditures accordingly.
