Delta 8 THC occurs naturally in the cannabis plant. But there is a problem- the average concentration of Delta 8 THC in the plant is relatively low, and it may virtually be undetectable. On the other hand, marijuana plants may have the most Delta 8 THC, but the concentration might exceed 1%.
If we compare, the average concentration of Delta 9 THC in the average marijuana plant is nearly 15%. It’s because, for every 15 molecules of Delta 9, there may be one molecule of Delta 8 THC or less. Therefore, when you place them under the right conditions, other cannabinoids may go through isomerization to become Delta 8 THC. Manufacturers may facilitate this process for producing large quantities of Delta 8 THC.
The naturally extracted delta 8 THC is very high in demand. As it comes from licensed manufacturers with third-party lab test reports, you might see a hike of Delta 8 THC in Poinciana. YES! You have heard it right! People might look forward to using it as a remedy to counteract various ailments. This article will focus on Delta 8 THC, its making process, and everything it takes into account.
Here is a rundown of specific Delta 8 THC questions!
Is Delta 8 THC Found In Nature?
Yes! You might know that Delta 8 THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in both Hemp and marijuana plants. Hemp plants may have more enzymes that make CBD and CBC. On the other hand, marijuana may have enzymes for making THC. You may find no enzymes in the plant that make Delta 8 THC directly. This cannabinoid may form as Delta 9 THC breaks down.
You may see most of the Delta 9 THC conversion to CBN (cannabinol), which maintains about 10% of the original THC psychoactivity. Whatever isn’t converted to CBN is then converted to Delta 8 THC — the more stable form of the compound. As a result, this molecule may have a much longer shelf-life before breaking it down into smaller components. The trick to making Delta 8 THC is to leverage this natural degradation reaction and facilitate a similar isomerization process.
What Is Isomerization?
Do you know what isomers are? They refer to the molecules made with the same elements and have the same number of atoms. But they have a different chemical structure. For instance, Delta 8 THC is an isomer of Delta 9 THC. CBD and THC may also be each others’ isomers having the same chemical formula- C21H3OO2. The only difference might be how the elements may connect in this formula.
The isomerization process involves creating an environment that facilitates the transition of one isomer to another. This may happen naturally under certain conditions. For instance, changes in pH, temperature, or exposure to catalysts can all cause CBD to turn into other isomers of itself. As per studies, all you may need t do is decrease the pH level of the extract and give plenty of time for the reaction to complete. This discovery allowed Delta 8 THC industry to happen in the first place. As the demand rises, you may find almost everyone searching about where to find Delta 8 near me.
How You May Isomerize CBD Into Delta 8 THC?
You may summarize the entire reaction into one line:
THC isomer (CBD) + Low pH + Time = Delta 8 THC
The entire process of Delta 8 THC isolation may involve exposing hemp extracts to acidic conditions, a little amount of heat to speed it up, and plenty of time.
- The Hemp extracts may primarily be CBD
- You may sometimes need heat to speed the process
- The required time period may approximately be 12 hours
After the reaction is complete, you need to test the sample for:
- Purity
- Neutralizing the pH
- Removing the added solvents in their entirety
At least from a theoretical perspective, the whole process might be simple than you think. Sometimes, applying this process might complicate things and need the oversight of a skilled physician to perform it correctly.
How To Make Delta 8 THC Step By Step?
In reality, the process for making Delta 8 THC may only require a few simple ingredients. The entire process might be designed to leverage a chemical reaction involving the isomerization of one naturally occurring molecule into another naturally occurring molecule. The process may happen naturally under the right conditions. Plus, you may greatly improve it by simulating the process in a lab. Here is how it works:
- First, you need to dissolve Hemp extract into a solvent for increasing the viscosity
- Reduce the pH level with the help of acetic acid
- Leave the solution for at least 3 to12 hours at room temperature
- Neutralize the acid
- Remove the solvent
- Distill the extract to isolate and concentrate the Delta 8 THC
- Test the final product for assessing the purity (you may further apply distillation if needed)
Why Is Third-Party Lab Testing Important?
It may be simple to make Delta 8 THC. But there might be a lot of room for error if you use the wrong ingredients or do not distill the final product properly. If you use impure compounds, side reactions may occur. You may find these toxic side reactions in:
- The starting of Hemp extracts
- Acids
- Solvents
- Neutralizing bases
Plus, if you do not entirely remove the acids or solvents, it may contaminate the final product. And the only way to know the quality of Delta 8 THC is third-party lab testing.
The process may involve sending a small extract sample to an independent lab for testing. Here, the lab may run the extract through a series of precision analysis techniques like mass spectronomy and ho-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine what’s inside. These labs may test the Delta 8 and Delta 9 concentrations. The experts in the lab will also check for contaminants such as heavy metals, solvents, pesticides, or leftover acids. Therefore, the best labs have the ability to detect even trace amounts of compounds.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
YES! The 2018 Farm Bill made Delta 8 THC and its infused products legal to possess, sell, and distribute. If you are among the ones searching for legal Delta 8 THC near me, you can legally purchase it. Just keep the two most important things in mind.
- Always ensure Delta 8 THC laws in your area
- Double-check the THC content in all your Delta 8 products
That’s all! I hope this guide is helpful to you for understanding how Delta 8 THC is made. Always get the highest quality products possible with third-party lab test reports. DON’T compromise on quality!