NEW YORK STATE IS THE LATEST TO PROHIBIT DELTA 8 THC.
May 18, 2021
If you enjoy Delta 8 THC products, buy up because they may become increasingly difficult to locate. The state of New York decided last week to outlaw items containing Delta 8 THC. In a significant blow to the CBD sector, New York becomes the seventeenth state to outlaw Delta 8 THC.
It’s a troubling tendency that appears to be spreading, and the consequences will extend beyond state lines. The movement to outlaw Delta 8 is gaining traction, and it will have an impact across North America. Here’s a look at the legal issue concerning Delta 8 THC, from the most recent advancements to the impact it has.
What exactly is Delta 8 THC?
Delta 8 THC is a fantastic cannabinoid with enormous medicinal potential. We don’t know much about Delta 8 THC, but we do know that it can aid with nausea, anxiety, depression, and pain. While it shares some molecular similarities with Delta 9 THC, it is a completely distinct cannabinoid and is far less psychoactive. Delta 8 THC gives the benefits of THC without the high associated with it for many different medical patients; research has shown that Delta 8 THC can be especially effective in cases of paediatric medicine.
Delta 8 harvesting
Delta 8 THC was previously unavailable because to the difficulty of harvesting. It exists naturally in extremely minute amounts, although it can be converted from either CBD or Delta 9 THC. The extraction and conversion processes are at the heart of the procedure. The extraction of cannabinoids from raw plant material is the first stage. After separating the CBD or Delta 9 THC, the concentrate is treated and purified to convert the atomic makeup. The technique necessitates the use of chemical solvents, which are then purged as a final step. When done correctly, lab testing demonstrates that the end products are safe.
Hemp Exemption
Hemp is the most common source of Delta 9 in most circumstances, and for good reason:
There is less red tape surrounding hemp manufacturing legally. Working with hemp requires fewer licences, application fees, and regulatory regulations than working with THC.
Most, if not all, of that state’s cannabis restrictions do not apply to the final Delta 8 product due to the lack of THC. Delta 8 THC, when generated from hemp, falls under an intriguing legal gap that allows for international export.
The problem
So, if this cannabinoid is so healthy and does not get you high, what is the issue? The problem lies in the manufacturing process, which causes two distinct problems:
Although the manufacture of Delta 8 THC is theoretically lawful, politicians are concerned that consumers will be unprotected. Manufacturers can technically evade any state-mandated quality control standards and sell the goods without legal repercussions.
Delta 8 THC is classed as a synthetic cannabinoid due to the atomic conversion. It necessitates the chemical modification of other molecules – it is a designer medication. This classifies Delta 8 THC in a different category than natural cannabinoids. It’s a grey area that many people want to avoid.
Delta 8 THC Prohibition
Cannabis restrictions do not have to apply when there is no Delta 9 THC present, unless the substance is prohibited. As it turns out, numerous nations have taken this path. The state of Florida is developing a legal framework for Delta 8 THC. New York will outlaw synthetic cannabinoids, including Delta 8 THC, on July 19, 2021.
Delta 8 is now prohibited or limited in the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
The consequences
Many of the Delta 8 THC products available in Canada are manufactured and imported in the United States. As more states ban Delta 8 THC, Canadian consumers might expect supply challenges. This will have the greatest impact on the medical cannabis community, but perhaps those most affected will be able to find a suitable replacement.