Delta 8 is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant, and the compound has amassed a giant following nationally and abroad. Delta 8 edibles are among the most popular delta 8 products on the market today, but what exactly are they? How are they made, and are they legal where you are?
What Are Delta 8 Edibles?
Delta 8 edibles are, as their name suggests, edible forms of delta 8. As a mild psychoactive compound, delta 8 offers users many properties and benefits, including:
- A subdued high
- Appetite stimulation
- Neuroprotection
- Better sleep
- Digestive support
- Relaxation
- Pain relief
But you can get all of those benefits from any form of delta 8, so why pick delta 8 edibles?
Because edibles need to be digested before kicking in, you may need to wait upwards of an hour to feel their effects. That said, once they do kick in, their effects will last for hours—much longer than the effects you’d get from vapes.
This is because in the digestive process, delta 8 is converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, a type of THC much stronger than delta 8 and delta 9. This conversion is also the reason edibles sometimes feel more potent than other methods of ingestion.
Different Kinds of Delta 8 Edibles
Like traditional marijuana, delta 8 can be infused into most foods. You can make some pot brownies at home or experiment with making salad dressings and even smoothies, but the safest—and easiest— way to ingest delta 8 edibles is to buy them from a store.
There are several different kinds of ready-made delta 8 edibles, including gummies, chocolate, oils, and snacks, and CBD Mall offers all of them.
It’s best to buy edibles from a store instead of making them yourself for many reasons, but the most important may be reliable dosing. CBD Mall’s gummies, oils, chocolates, and snacks are carefully measured out and constantly tested for accurate dosage replication. This means that you can trust the packaging when it says that one gummy or cube contain a set amount of delta 8. Their edibles are also third-party tested to ensure accuracy, potency, safety, and quality.
Dosing Delta 8 Edibles
Dosing cannabinoids is never an exact science. Factors like your rate of metabolism, tolerance, weight, and expected results influence the perfect amount of delta 8 for you.
As a rule of thumb, however, it’s always best to start low and work your way up to your desired effects—especially if it’s your first time experimenting with delta 8.
- New users with low tolerance should stick to around 5-15mg.
- Occasional users with medium tolerance should take around 15-45mg.
- Regular users with high tolerance can take anywhere from 45-150mg.
Because edibles take so long to kick in, some people may believe they dosed too low, and they don’t give the compound enough time to take effect. This can lead to an uncomfortable psychoactive experience with side effects like:
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Impaired motor skills
- Memory impairment
So, it’s always best to start slow and wait a couple of hours to take more. If you’re still not feeling your desired effects after around two hours, feel free to take some more. But be careful, once you go overboard, all you’ll be able to do is ride it out.
How Are Delta 8 Edibles Made?
Because delta 8 is only found in trace amounts in nature, chemists must derive the compound from hemp-based CBD. This straightforward process, known as isomerization, involves dissolving CBD in specific acids and refining the material to then remove any unwanted residue, which leaves a pure and potent delta 8 oil as a byproduct.
Once the delta 8 is extracted, things get a little easier. The gummy, chocolate, candy, or snack is infused with the delta 8 oil. In simple terms, delta 8 is added to the ingredient list during the production process of the edible.
Are Delta 8 Edibles Legal?
Following the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, hemp and all of its derivatives became federally legal in the United States. That said, state laws vary.
At this time, 21 US states have regulated, restricted, or banned delta 8:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Montana
- New York
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Dakota
- South Carolina
- Utah
- Vermont
So, even though delta 8 edibles are federally legal, they may not be available to you if you reside in a state where the compound is banned or restricted.
Delta 8 Edibles: Final Thoughts
Delta 8 edibles are among the most popular ways to ingest delta 8—and for good reason. Not only are they the tastiest way to reap the benefits of the cannabinoid, but they also produce strong and long-lasting psychoactive effects.
Although delta 8 is federally legal, stay on the lookout for local legislation in your state, as it may not be legal where you are.
Delta 8 is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant, and the compound has amassed a giant following nationally and abroad. Delta 8 edibles are among the most popular delta 8 products on the market today, but what exactly are they? How are they made, and are they legal where you are?
