Not lucky enough to live in a state where delta 9 THC from cannabis is accessible?

No worries—you have access to delta 9 THC gummies made from hemp extracts that are perfectly legal in most states. What is delta 9 THC, why does it matter if it comes from hemp versus cannabis, and are the effects really the same? We’ve pulled together everything you need to know about the iconic cannabinoid below. 

What is Delta 9 THC?

Delta 9 THC is delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, one of more than 100 unique cannabinoids that can be extracted from plants that make up the cannabis family. Delta 9 is one of the most abundant types of tetrahydrocannabinol found in cannabis, but there are actually a handful of known types of THC. Usually, when people refer to THC, they are referencing delta-9 THC. And, delta 9 THC is the most well-studied type of THC. 

Delta 9 THC is primarily known as the primary intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis, which is why the cannabinoid is still regulated in a lot of states. Nevertheless, the compound may also offer therapeutic value for certain issues and conditions. 

Effects of Delta 9 THC

Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the iconic “high” feeling you get when using cannabis. Therefore, several enjoyable short-term side effects are associated with using delta 9 THC, such as: 

  • Feeling euphoric or giddy 
  • Experiencing a level of intense or deep focus 
  • Feeling relaxed, physically and mentally 
  • Experienced an altered sense of time, spacial awareness, or events 

Delta 9 Thc Effects

While most people enjoy the effects of delta 9 THC, the cannabinoid can also come with side effects that may not always be desirable, especially at high doses. For example, some people experience an increased appetite, dry mouth, anxiety, or difficulty thinking clearly or reacting to stimuli as usual. 

Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Delta 9 THC

Delta 9 THC may be notorious for its ability to lead to a euphoric state, but the cannabinoid may also offer some therapeutic potential. The recent changes in cannabis regulation over the last decade have opened up the doors for a plethora of new studies to be carried out on the known intoxicating cannabinoid. According to a comprehensive study published in 2021, delta 9 THC may be valuable for: 

Limited appetite or conditions that cause low appetite 

  • Certain sleep disorders 
  • Enhanced muscle spasticity related to conditions that affect the muscles 
  • Nausea 
  • Pain 
  • Certain mood disorders 
Delta 9 Thc Therapeutic Benefits
delta 9 thc therapeutic benefits

THC has actually been used as a basis to create a synthetic pharmaceutical medication that is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to stimulate appetite. The medication is commonly prescribed to people who struggle with appetite due to chemotherapy treatment and eating disorders. 

Beyond the formal research, there are other indicators of the therapeutic value of delta 9 THC. For example, over half of the 50 states have made cannabis use legal for medical purposes, and much of this proposed medicinal value is related to delta 9 THC. And, there is no shortage of anecdotal reports of people using delta 9 THC to help with everything from pain to stress. 

Hemp-Derived Delta 9 vs Cannabis-Derived Delta 9 THC

Delta 9 THC can be found in all types of cannabis, including hemp. And there is no difference in the chemical structure of the cannabinoid regardless of what cultivar of cannabis the compound comes from. Likewise, there is no difference in how the cannabinoid will affect you if it is consumed. You can consume a 10mg Berry Melon Lifter Delta 9 Gummy or a Tropical Kush D9 Gummy (both made with hemp extracts)and have the same experience as you would by taking a 10mg edible made with a cannabis extract.

However, there is a big difference between the volume of delta 9 THC present in cannabis and hemp. By law, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent delta 9 THC in a dry-weight state. Hemp has naturally low concentrations of the cannabinoid, but other cannabis plants can have exceptionally high amounts of THC. For example, some of the most popular cannabis strains like Kush Mints and Ice Cream Cake have as much as 27 percent delta 9 THC. 

Delta 9 Thc Sources

Delta 9 THC vs Delta 8 THC

While both delta 8 and delta 9 are types of THC, the two do have some profound differences. Take a look at a brief overview of the primary differences between delta 8 and delta 9: 

  • Intoxicating effects – Delta 8 is often said to be about half as potent as delta 9 THC, so the intoxicating effects are not as strong  
  • Therapeutic value – Delta 8 THC’s therapeutic value is not well-established, but due to the lower intoxicating effects, delta 8 may be a viable alternative to delta 9 THC for some ailments or situations 
  • Endocannabinoid system interaction – Delta 8 THC may interact with different receptors compared to delta 9 THC 
  • Legality – Delta 8 should be legal nationwide due to the Farm Bill, but some states have restricted the cannabinoid; delta 9 THC is illegal on a federal level but is legal to some degree in over half of the states in the country 

Is Delta 9 THC Legal in the United States

Federally, delta 9 THC derived from marijuana is still considered to be illegal and products that contain delta 9 THC are controlled substances. Of course, many states have made their own efforts to make delta 9-containing products made from cannabis legal, and they have been successful. However, delta-9 products created from hemp are federally legal, even though the reason why is a bit complicated. 

The Farm Bill in 2018 used terminology that created a legal loophole for delta-9 products made using extracts taken from hemp plants that contain less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC. Essentially, as long as hemp-based products meet the proper ratio requirement of 0.3 percent delta 9 THC by dry weight, they should be considered legal. It should be noted, however, some states have taken the initiative to make their own laws regarding delta 9 derived from hemp. Therefore, delta 9 products, even from hemp, may not be available to ship to all states. 

Delta 9 Thc Experience

Experience Legal Delta 9 THC with Galaxy Treats D9 Gummies

If you have been looking for a legal route to liftoff, Galaxy Treats D9 Gummies may be just the vehicle you need. Derived wholly from hemp, our D9 gummies deliver 10mg of delta 9 THC per gummy and loads of flavor to experience. Be sure to take a look at the full delta 9 THC gummy collection.