6. 3Chi True Strains White Lightening Delta 8 Blend
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Potency: 15 mg delta 9, delta 8 +
Dose: ¼ gummy
Quantity Per Pack 20
3Chi goes out of its way to make sure these gummies are effective. Each one is blended with delta 8, HHC, THCP, delta 9, CBD, delta 8-ISO, delta 8 THCv, delta 9 THCv, CBC, CBG, CBN, and CBT. It’s okay if you don’t know what most of those cannabinoids are; you’ll appreciate their presence regardless.
3Chi has a wide array of products, so you won’t ever get bored shopping there. However, be forewarned that some of their lab tests are outdated, and they don’t take returns.
7. Elevate Strawberry Delta-8 THC Gummies
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Potency: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg delta-8 per gummy
Dose: ½ to 1 gummy
Quantity Per Pack 30
Elevate’s Strawberry Delta-9 THC gummies are made with full-spectrum delta-8 extract sourced from law-compliant organic hemp. These gummies are also vegan-friendly and contain no artificial coloring or flavoring.
One bottle contains 30 gummies, and you can choose among three potencies — 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg of delta-8 THC per gummy. The low dose is perfect for those seeking a light buzz, while the high-potency gummy is best suited for those looking for a more intense experience.
Elevate doesn’t ship to all 50 states, though, so before making a purchase, be sure to check out your state laws or confirm their shipping policy.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive cannabinoid found In cannabis and hemp. It’s a THC analog that shares similarities with delta-9 THC but differs on a molecular level, making it legal in most countries, provided it’s obtained from hemp (cannabis with less than 0.3% D9 THC).
Delta-8 has a double bond at the eighth carbon, which is a slight deviation from delta-9 and makes it slightly weaker in terms of effects. It feels similar to regular THC but much milder and is described as delta-9’s “little brother.”
This cannabinoid is perfect for people who are more sensitive to the effects of THC. It’s less prone to causing anxiety and induces a more functional high that’s less sedative.
Legal delta-8 THC is obtained from hemp. It’s naturally present in concentrations of less than 1% — this is minor compared to the concentration of delta-9 THC, which can be as high as 30%. In order to obtain psychoactive levels of delta-8, most manufacturers chemically convert hemp-derived CBD through a process known as isomerization.
What Do Delta-8 Gummies Feel Like?
Many people wonder how delta-8 vs delta-9 compares. Delta-8 THC is often described as a milder variant of delta-9 THC. The effects are smoother, less intense, and more functional compared to hemp and cannabis-derived delta-9.
The intensity of the effects felt after consuming delta-8 THC varies depending on the dose consumed, individual sensitivity, tolerance to THC, and body weight.
However, most people will experience the following:
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Altered time perception
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Elevated mood
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Euphoria
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Increased creativity
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Relaxation
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Sedation (higher doses)
There’s another THC variant though that’s worth noting — delta-10. While both produce milder psychoactive effects than delta-9, they also differ in some ways. When comparing delta-10 vs delta-8, delta-10 produces more of an uplifting, energizing high like a sativa strain, while delta-8 is known for its relaxing and calming effects, like an indica strain.
You can purchase delta-10 products online, but make sure that you only buy them from a trusted online dispensary.
Delta-8 THC Dosage Guide
Delta-8 THC isn’t as potent as delta-9 THC and other variants such as THCP. To induce noticeable psychoactive effects, you need a larger amount of delta-8.
Here’s a rough dosage guide for delta-8 THC:
Dosage varies depending on individual factors. Bodyweight, consumption format, and tolerance to THC can all affect dosage requirements. If you’re new to delta-8, start with a dose on the lower end of the range and gradually build it up until the desired effects are achieved.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal in the United States?
Yes, delta-8 THC is federally legal in the United States, provided it’s derived from hemp. Unlike delta-9, there are no concentration restrictions for this cannabinoid, meaning it’s legal in any concentration in any format.
The 2018 Farm Bill states that hemp and hemp-derived products are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight.
Although this cannabinoid is federally legal, some states and municipalities have altered their legislation, making it illegal or restricted. Make sure to check local laws before ordering delta-8 THC products online, and always ensure anything you purchase is Farm Bill compliant.
Are THC Vapes Better Than Gummies?
Whether THC vapes are better than gummies ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to inhale smoke or vapor to get high, while others prefer edibles.
Here are the differences between the two consumption formats:
1. THC Vapes and Dab Pens: THC vaporizers have a rapid onset of effects. Inhaling vaporized THC allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream. The effects can be felt almost instantly. This provides the user with more control over the experience compared to edibles, as they can take another puff to increase the high and stop vaping once they’ve reached the desired “level.”
While the onset of effects is faster, they tend to wear off more quickly than edibles. There’s also a health concern with vaping. It may be healthier than smoking, but inhaling vapor may be detrimental to health.
Some vape vendors use additives, thickeners, and artificial flavorings that can harm your health. This is why it’s very important to buy THC vapes only from trusted and transparent brands, so always read reviews and look for the product’s lab test results before making a purchase.
2. THC Edibles: Edibles such as delta-8 and delta-9 THC gummies take a while to kick in. The effects can be felt around an hour after consumption, which doesn’t provide much control over the experience. The effects last much longer than vaping THC.
THC edibles are discrete and easy to consume. They’re accurately dosed, so consuming an exact amount of the cannabinoid is much easier. This makes them ideal for people who want to monitor dosage closely or consume THC microdoses regularly.
However, you have to be extra cautious when consuming edibles. One mistake that many people new to edibles often make is immediately consuming another piece just because they didn’t feel the effects right away. When the effects finally hit, they become much stronger than expected, negatively impacting the experience. That said, always wait for about a couple of hours before taking another bite.
Although not edibles, THC oils and THC tinctures are taken sublingually, meaning they are placed under the tongue. Sublinguals offer a faster onset than edibles since they are immediately absorbed by the mouth cells.
Legal Alternatives to Delta-8 THC
If you’re looking for low-THC yet equally potent product, CBD is a good option to add to your health regimen.
Below are some CBD products worth trying:
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CBD for Pain: This helps reduce pain by activating the endocannabinoid system as well as pain-regulating receptors like serotonin and adenosine receptors. CBD oils are a popular choice, but CBD gummies for pain work just as well.
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CBD for Sleep: This type of CBD product usually contains melatonin and CBN, compounds known to promote sleep.
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Stress Gummies and CBD Gummies for Anxiety: This CBD product helps relax and clear the mind, reducing anxiety and stress.
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CBD Cream: This works best for skin conditions like acne and psoriasis, relieving inflammation and itchiness. It can also help relieve muscle and joint aches and pains.
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THCA Products: Non-psychoactive THCA, by itself, can reduce nausea, inflammation, and pain. But when heated, it transforms into psychoactive THC.
CBD is so popular in the health and wellness space that people even buy it for their pets. You’ll find different types of pet CBD products online — from pet CBD oil to CBD dog treats for anxiety.
Is Delta-8 THC Synthetic?
No. Delta-8 THC isn’t a synthetic cannabinoid made by man. It is actually a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in all hemp and cannabis plants and is formed when delta-9 THC degrades. However, the plant only produces very low levels of delta-8 THC, so it would take tons of hemp to produce the delta-8 we need for our products.
To produce more delta-8, we convert CBD into delta-8 THC using a process called isomerization in a lab setting. The process basically “rearranges” the chemical structure of CBD to form another cannabinoid — in this case, delta-8 THC.
Since the process is done in a lab setting, does it make delta-8 THC artificial, then?
Again, the answer to this is no. The process may have been done in a lab setting, but it used CBD, which is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in nature.
Delta-8 THC is very popular in the hemp space nowadays, and unfortunately, many scammers are also capitalizing on customers’ naivete. They often sell low-quality delta-8 gummies at high prices, thinking that customers will believe high prices mean good quality.
As a consumer, you have to equip yourself with the know-how to spot good versus bad quality delta-8 THC gummies.
Tips for Choosing a Good Delta-8 THC Vendor
There are many factors to consider when you buy weed online, including delta-8 THC gummies. These include brand and product reputation, certificate of analysis (COA) or lab testing result, extraction method, and ingredient quality, among others.
Brand and Product Reviews
Make reading feedback and customer reviews a habit before buying delta-8 gummies or any cannabinoid-based product. These serve as good gauges of the brand and its products’ quality, safety, and reliability.
Tip: Don’t focus on the vendor’s site alone. Instead, visit forums, social media pages, and reputable sites that talk about these products.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
COAs are simply the products’ lab test results, and trusted delta-8 vendors often upload their copies on the product pages. These documents usually measure the product’s cannabinoid levels and verify its stated potency.
These tests also look for contaminants like heavy metals, artificial pesticides and fertilizers, toxic residues, and pathogenic microorganisms.
Tip: It’s a red flag if the brand doesn’t provide the COAs of its products.
Extraction Method
There are many ways to strip the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant material, including the use of butane and alcohol. These methods are effective, but they also sometimes leave residues.
Nowadays, many producers use the supercritical CO2 extraction method. In a nutshell, carbon dioxide in liquid form extracts the compounds, and once the process is completed, carbon dioxide returns to its gas form. This leaves behind clean, residue-free cannabinoids and terpenes.
Tip: Reliable vendors often mention their extraction process on their homepages, so choose one that uses the supercritical CO2 extraction process.
Ingredient Quality
You should also consider the ingredients in delta-8 THC gummies. Reliable producers are fairly open about their ingredient list. These are listed on both the product label and their website.
Choose vendors who use only natural, organic ingredients, and avoid those who use artificial sweeteners, flavorings, and food coloring. Knowing what’s in the gummies is important, especially if you have allergies.
Tip: Email the vendor for more information on their ingredient list. Reputable companies have dependable customer support teams that are eager to assist customers with their inquiries.
Customer Support
A customer’s entire experience includes customer support. A customer’s degree of satisfaction can be directly impacted by how they respond to questions. They have a direct effect on the reputation of the brand and can either make a customer feel appreciated or taken advantage of.
You can get a good sense of a brand’s customer service by reading reviews. Many customers are pretty vocal about their experience, especially bad ones.
Tip: Look at the customer service’s response time, product expertise, and problem-solving efficiency.
FAQs: Delta-8 & Other Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids
Want to learn more about delta-8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids?
Read through the answers to the FAQs below:
1. Which Hemp-derived THC Variant Is The Most Strongest?
The strongest hemp-derived THC variant is THCP (tetrahydrocannabiphorol), which is somewhere 3 to 33 times stronger than regular delta-9 THC.
THCP is a newly discovered cannabinoid known for its high potency. Unlike delta-9 THC, which is abundant in cannabis, THCP is found in very small amounts and is usually synthesized from hemp-derived CBD or delta-8 THC.
Due to its rarity and complex production process, THCP products are expensive and less regulated compared to other cannabinoids. Limited research exists on its effects, and its increased potency raises the potential for stronger side effects.
While THCP is the most potent THC variant, delta-9 THC remains the more practical and safer option for most users due to its availability, lower cost, and better-established safety profile.
2. Does Delta-8 THC Show Up on Drug Tests?
Yes. Delta-8 THC will show up on drug tests if it has been consumed in any substantial quantity before testing.
Most modern drug screenings don’t differentiate between delta-9 THC and hemp-derived THC analogs. Although delta-8 is legal (provided it comes from hemp), it will trigger a positive result on a drug test.
If you regularly undergo drug screening for work, it’s best to avoid consuming delta-8 THC and any other THC analogs, regardless of whether they’re sourced from hemp or cannabis.
Of note, consuming full-spectrum CBD oil and full-spectrum CBD gummies may also result in a positive drug test. Remember, these products contain low levels of THC, which drug tests may still be able to detect.
3. Is Delta-8 Legal Everywhere?
No, there are some states that have banned delta-8 THC. Often, this goes hand-in-hand with banning other cannabinoids, so it’s important to know your local laws.
As of this writing, the following states have banned delta-8, but remember that laws change often, and this could be out of date:
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Alaska
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Colorado
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Delaware
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Idaho
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Iowa
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Minnesota
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Montana
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Nevada
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New York
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North Dakota
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Oregon
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Rhode Island
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South Carolina
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Utah
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Vermont
Delta-8 THC is regulated in California, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, South Dakota, and Washington.
If you reside in any of these states, there are other ways to enjoy a “legal” high. One such example is Amanita Muscaria gummies. These contain muscimol, which, at a high dose, can produce psychedelic, sedating, relaxing, and mood-boosting effects. Some amanita gummies also contain THC, which contributes to the “high.”
4. What Are The Delta-8 Gummies’ Health Benefits?
Delta-8 is structurally similar to THC and may provide some of the same medical benefits, although to a lesser degree.
It is commonly used to treat pain, nausea, and sleep issues.
If you’re thinking about taking Delta-8 or THC for its potential health benefits, talk to your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
5. What are the potential risks of using Delta-8 gummies?
When used correctly and acquired from a reliable supplier, delta-8 is usually safe. Low-quality gummies, however, might contain dangerous chemicals. Delta-8 has risks similar to those of delta-9, but they are less severe because of its milder effects. Although it is difficult to overdose on delta-8, taking too many of these gummies can cause anxiety, paranoia, lethargy, and an unpleasant high.
If you end up taking more than you should, just lie down in a comfortable and safe place and rest. It will wear off eventually. You can also take a few drops of CBD for anxiety, which can help relieve some of the side effects.
