Delta-8 THC is legal in Oklahoma. But is it safe? FDA gives warning

Sales are skyrocketing across the U.S. for delta-8 products, a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant. Known as "diet weed" or "weed lite," delta-8 has been found to have similar effects to delta-9 THC, the main intoxicant in marijuana.

Delta-8 is currently unregulated and has been the source of strategic marketing that makes its products appealing to teenagers. According to a national survey of 2,000 high school seniors, more than 11% used delta-8 THC in the past year.

As the sales for delta-8 products have gone up, so have calls to Poison Control. Despite warnings from the FDA, some manufacturers have continued making unproven medical claims about the effects of delta-8 THC.

People are also reading: Is delta-8 safe? As it flies off shelves, thousands call poison control over bad experiences

What is delta-8?

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is a cannabinoid that is derived from the cannabis plant. It can be found in hemp or high potency cannabis flower, both of which are the same plant species. The difference between hemp and cannabis is the amount of THC in the plant as defined by the Federal Farm Bill of 2018. Hemp carries a low amount of THC (0.3%) and, therefore, is permitted in Oklahoma.

According to the FDA, delta-8 has psychoactive and intoxicating effects; however, it is generally less potent than delta-9.

Is delta-8 legal in Oklahoma?

Yes. Though recreational use of marijuana is illegal in Oklahoma and at the federal level, recent state laws have been to decriminalize its use.

The Oklahoma legislature passed SB 1033 in 2021, which removed Delta-8 from the marijuana definition in the state. Under SB 1033, all hemp-derived products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are legal in Oklahoma.

SB 1033 is based on the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the cultivation and consumption of hemp and its derivatives in the United States.

Is delta-8 safe?

Delta-8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. The administration warns that how such products are marketed can put public health at risk. Delta-8 THC has proven especially dangerous for children and pets.

Patrick Cournoyer leads the FDA’s cannabis product committee. He told USA TODAY the prevalence of psychoactive hemp products was a “major public health issue.”

“It’s a big human guinea pig experiment with a lot of these substances,” Cournoyer explained. “And that, of course, in and of itself, should be alarming.”

Regulators and scientists have also raised concerns about the possible contamination or adulteration of hemp-derived products due to synthetic processing and lack of regulatory requirements.

Delta-8 vs delta-9

Delta-9 gets its name from the fact that it has 9 THC molecules. Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC come from the cannabis sativa plant. Unlike CBD, delta-9 THC is psychoactive, which means it can make you feel high or intoxicated. Delta-9 THC is the main intoxicant in marijuana.

Graphic by Bill Schulz / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

What’s the difference between THC and CBD?

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a substance derived from the cannabis plant that does not have the psychoactive properties that tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) does. In other words, THC is what someone consumes to get “high” or intoxicated, while CBD does not possess the same chemicals.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What is delta-8 THC and is it safe? FDA gives warning as sales rise