What Is Delta-8 THC? All Your Questions Answered

Here at Charlotte’s Web, we have had a lot of incoming questions about Delta-8 THC. While Charlotte’s Web does not produce or sell Delta-8 THC products, we want to provide information for our customers.  

First, we will give you our stance on the topic, and then dive into what Delta-8 THC is and what you should be aware of.  

Does Charlotte’s Web Incorporate Delta-8 THC? 

Quick answer: 
 
No. 

Detailed answer: 
 
Our CBD oils, CBD gummies, CBD capsules, and CBD topicals do not have Delta-8 THC added to them and contain less than 0.3% naturally occurring Delta-9 THC. Higher levels of Delta-8 THC are not found in naturally occurring whole plant hemp extracts, such as Charlotte’s Web™ products.  
 
Why not? 
We do not support the marketing and sales of Delta-8 THC products under the guise of being a hemp product.  Our customers trust our products to not be psychoactive. We value that trust and are dedicated to providing natural, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum hemp extract CBD products. Delta-8 THC products belong in adult use channels, like cannabis products. 
 
So while you won’t be seeing any Delta-8 THC products from Charlotte’s Web, we will continue to provide high-quality, full-spectrum hemp extract products designed to help you live a more balanced and healthy life by improving your sleep, reducing anxiety, and promoting a greater sense of calm in your life. 

What Is Delta-8 THC? 

Quick answer: 

A chemical compound that’s a close cousin to the intoxicating THC found in cannabis. 

Detailed answer: 

Most people know that the psychoactive substance found in cannabis is called THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. More specifically, it’s called Delta-9 THC. This is the chemical compound that makes people “high.” 

Delta-8 THC (short for Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol) is a different compound with a very similar chemical structure. While Delta-8 THC causes many of the same effects. It’s present in very low concentrations in the hemp plant and must either be extracted and concentrated, or synthesized to create the amount needed to produce effects similar to Delta-9 THC. 

Is Delta-8 THC Safe? 

Quick answer: 

We don’t know for sure. 

Detailed answer: 

Very little research has been done on Delta-8 THC, and it is not regulated. That means we still don’t know the full range of its effects or if it’s safe to consume in larger amounts. This is in sharp contrast to CBD and full-spectrum hemp extract, which have been studied at length and proven to be both safe and effective. 

This raises the question: if hemp is safe, and Delta-8 THC comes from hemp, how could it possibly be unsafe? 

The answer lies in the fact that many Delta-8 THC products are contaminated with other chemicals. Remember, Delta-8 THC is naturally only present in extremely small concentrations. In order to extract large amounts of it, many manufacturers turn to unsafe solvents like toluene or heptane—and not all of them are taking the time to properly remove those solvents before finishing their product.  

Recently, there have been a number of concerning reports about the safety of Delta-8 THC. 

The FDA recently released a consumer update with 5 warnings about potential health risks from using Delta-8 THC. For instance, they explain that because the amount of Delta-8 THC present in hemp is very low, some manufacturers may be using unsafe chemicals to make more Delta-8 THC synthetically. 

A report released by the U.S. Cannabis Council found that Delta-8 THC products contained a variety of unsafe solvents including methanol, hexane, acetone, and more. 

Chemists are alarmed about the impurities formed during the synthesis of Delta-8 THC and little is known about the health effects of these impurities. 

And the CDC released a health advisory to help spread news of an increase in adverse events related to Delta-8 THC. Between January 1st to July 31st, 2021, the American Association of Poison Control Centers recorded 660 Delta-8 THC exposures. Of those cases, 39% involved children under the age of 18 and 18% required hospitalization. 
 
For reasons like this, it seems clear that the safety of Delta-8 THC products is questionable. This is particularly true of products purchased from unregulated retail stores, which are not held to the same strict standards as legitimate hemp extract brands like Charlotte’s Web™.  

Is Delta-8 THC Legal? 

Quick answer: 

The jury is still out, and it is up for debate depending on who you ask.  

Detailed answer: 

Because Delta-8 THC can be extracted from either hemp or cannabis, its legal status is a bit murky. On one hand, hemp is legal. Delta-8 THC can be extracted from hemp, which places it into a legal gray-area that still needs to be clarified. This is what has led to the popular view of Delta-8 THC as a legal way to get high. 

On the other hand, Delta-8 THC is an intoxicating substance that’s very similar to delta-9 THC. Because of this similarity, it has been made illegal in 19 states as of this writing and many experts believe that it’s only a matter of time until Delta-8 THC is officially made illegal in all states where cannabis is illegal. 

Keep in mind, however, that because Delta-8 products are so new, many states are taking steps to clarify their laws around this chemical compound. New York, for example, recently banned Delta-8 in late July 2021. So, by the time you read this article, more states may consider Delta-8 THC illegal. As of November 8, 2021 at least 19 states have restricted or banned Delta-8 THC in some way, including: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. 

There is a need for clarification of existing laws. Charlotte’s Web will continue to advocate both federally and at the state level that Delta-8 THC products are reserved for adult-use and should have a distinct regulatory pathway that allows for the consumption in a safe, regulated, and responsible manner, like other cannabis products. 

In Summary  

Charlotte’s Web is a botanical wellness company: we believe strongly in the benefits of whole plant hemp extracts with naturally occurring CBD. We don’t produce or sell Delta-8 THC. 

Our purpose is simple: to unleash the healing powers of botanicals with compassion and science, benefiting the planet and all who live upon it.  

We envision a world in which people live healthier lives through the healing powers of botanicals grown in peaceful balance with Nature. Which is why we’re dedicated to industry-leading standards for product quality, safety, and consistency. 

This is why we will always pledge to remain The World’s Most Trusted Hemp Extract™.