The Rise and Risk of Delta-8 THC (Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Purpose of Review: The purpose of this review is to differentiate delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9) as they relate to human health and disease. Recent Findings: Delta-8 is a novel cannabinoid becoming increasingly used following the passage of the US Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 and the deregulation of hemp. Cannabis spp. naturally produces little delta-8. Retail delta-8 products consist of synthetic delta-8 chemically converted from cannabidiol (CBD). Delta-8 marketing claims a “softer, gentler high” compared to delta-9, but limited data exist to support this claim. A recent screen of delta-8 products found that the majority contained heavy metal contamination and that the reported vs. actual compositions of commercial products did not agree. Summary: The effects of delta-8 on the human body remain largely unexplored, as do the pharmacokinetic differences between delta-8 and delta-9. Because the dietary supplement market is largely unregulated, these products are not tested for contaminants that may also have harmful effects.