Delta-8 THC has got to be one of the most interesting cannabinoids available on the market today.
Well…it’s sort of available. Since becoming federally legal in 2018 delta-8 has been getting banned by more and more states.
Is delta-8 THC for sale near you? If you live in North Carolina it sure is. In this article we’ll be diving deep into delta-8’s legality in the Tarheel State.
Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC are basically twin siblings. They share the same chemical formula, the same chemical makeup, and very similar molecular mass. The one difference between them lies in their chemical structure.
But this structural variance makes a difference. Comparatively speaking, delta-8 THC is much more refined and balanced than delta-9 is. Its high is gentle and comes without side effects like dry mouth, ‘couchlock,’ or out-of-control hunger.
And then there are delta-8’s potential health benefits. The NCI (National Cancer Institute) reports that this special cannabinoid may have “anxiolytic, antiemetic, appetite-stimulating, analgesic, and neuroprotective properties.” [1]
It’s almost like delta-8 THC provides that perfect blend of THC and CBD. Its pharmacology explains why: delta-8 is able to bind to both of the body’s major types of endocannabinoid receptors. [2]
Delta-8 is more legal than you might think. While it can — and does! — get people high, its legality is thanks to an interesting legal loophole.
You know the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized CBD and fueled today’s CBD/hemp craze? This same bill legalized any and all hemp-derived cannabinoids, with the sole exception of delta-9 THC. That makes delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THCv, THCva, and other THC isomers completely legal. If, of course, they’re sourced from the industrial hemp plant.
This legal loophole has been hugely helpful for those who live in states that don’t yet have medical/recreational cannabis programs. Now anyone in all 50 states can receive the natural upliftment they’re looking for!
Delta-8 THC is fully legal in North Carolina, just like any other hemp-sourced cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, isomers, pigments, etc. One can buy and enjoy delta-8 THC products in North Carolina while staying within the confines of the law.
Just keep in mind that delta-8 must be sourced from industrial hemp plants containing under 0.3% THC in order to qualify for legal status. Delta-9 THC remains a schedule 1 substance regardless of whether it comes from ‘marijuana’ or hemp.
Here are some more stats:
Delta-8 THC has been legal in NC ever since the state passed Senate Bill #352. This bill mirrored the Federal Farm Bill and revised the state’s existing Controlled Substances Act to exclude hemp-derived cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-10. [3] In other words, both delta-8 and delta-10 THC are now officially legal per state law!
Assuming you live in NC, it sure is! It’s safe to say that delta-8 THC has won over plenty of fans in North Carolina. It can be purchased at NC hemp shops, health food stores, and alternative medicine centers, as well as online.
Here are a few more stats:
*Assuming establishments and/or organizations don’t have their own rules against the compound
**If traveling with delta-8 THC flower, you may want to keep it in its original container and/or carry a COA (lab test) along with you to avoid problems with law enforcement.
You bet it is. Delta-8 is so popular, in fact, that it may soon surpass CBD as the state’s most popular hemp-derived product.
That’s not really a surprise when you look at how delta-8 works — it essentially provides the best effects of both CBD and ‘regular’ THC without accompanying side effects.
Local business owners have witnessed this rising popularity firsthand.
“That’s been our biggest sales for this year, really,” one business owner tells WRAL TechWire. “We still have quite a bit of CBD sales [but] the younger crowd is more interested in Delta-8 and the effects it produces.” [4]
The state’s future with D-8 looks bright, too. “We have a history of growing specialty crops—tobacco, sweet potatoes, cotton. There’s that knowledge base with farmers,” explains Paul Ulanch of the NC Biotechnology Center. “That’s why we are going to see North Carolina be one of the leaders in [hemp and delta-8] production.”
All this popularity is matched with shifting legal tides. North Carolina’s government is currently considering legalizing medical marijuana; it’s likely that such a change would make delta-8 THC’s popularity even more welcome.
“We’re definitely hoping for some legislative clarity,” the head of one hemp production company says. “We’re holding on until early 2022 when a lot of places are predicting that the price will rebound, and we can get back into the bulk oil sales market again.”
Delta-8 THC laws vary wildly from one state to the next. It may be legal in NC…but that’s not the case everywhere! More info on where delta-8 is legal (and illegal) below.
As of September 2021, delta-8 THC is completely legal in 28 US states and the District of Columbia. Here’s the list:
*Note that this list is liable to change as lawmakers forge new delta-8 policies. Stay tuned for any such changes in your state to make sure you’re following the law!
Some states have banned delta-8 THC sales, even if said delta-8 is hemp-derived. Interestingly enough, many of these same states are cannabis-friendly. Here’s a list of them:
Several more states may outlaw delta-8 soon. Why? Largely because delta-8’s legality makes things difficult for law enforcement, as delta-8 products often look and smell just like delta-9 THC products do.
Well, there you have it. North Carolinians rejoice — one of the most special cannabinoids of all is legal in your state! NC residents can legally buy and enjoy delta-8 THC. They can even manufacture it and sell it.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to enjoy delta-8, however, you may want to look into buying delta-8 products online. At DD8 we couldn’t be happier to provide delta-8 gummies, tinctures, edibles, and other premium products to our home state.
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