The psychoactive substance delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of more than 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant, but it isn’t found in significant amounts. As a result, cannabidiol derived from hemp is commonly used to produce concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC (CBD).
Consumers should be aware that the FDA has not evaluated or approved delta-8 THC products for safe use in any circumstance. They may be marketed in ways that endanger public health, and they should be kept out of the reach of children and pets in particular.
Here are five things you should know about delta-8 THC to protect yourself and those you care about from potentially harmful products:
1. The FDA has not evaluated or approved Delta-8 THC products for safe use, and they may be marketed in ways that endanger public health.
The FDA is aware of the growing concerns about delta-8 THC products that are currently available for Buy CBD products online. The FDA has not evaluated or approved these products for use in any situation. Variability in product formulations and labeling, as well as other cannabinoid and terpene content and variable delta-8 THC concentrations, are all causes for concern. Furthermore, some of these products may simply be labeled as “hemp products,” potentially misleading consumers who associate “hemp” with “non-psychoactive.” The FDA is also concerned about the proliferation of products containing delta-8 THC that are marketed for therapeutic or medical purposes despite the fact that they have not been approved by the agency. Selling unapproved products with unsupported therapeutic claims is not only illegal but also puts consumers at risk because these products have not been proven to be safe or effective. Because patients and other consumers may use unproven treatments instead of approved therapies to treat serious and even fatal diseases, this deceptive marketing of unproven treatments raises significant public health concerns.
2. The FDA has received reports of adverse events involving products containing delta-8 THC.
Between December 2020 and July 2021, the FDA received 22 adverse event reports from both consumers and law enforcement, describing 22 patients who consumed delta-8 THC products; 14 of these patients sought treatment at a hospital or emergency room after ingestion. After ingesting delta-8 THC-containing food products, 19 of the 22 patients experienced adverse effects (e.g., brownies, gummies). Vomiting, hallucinations, difficulty standing, and loss of consciousness was among the side effects.
Between January 2018 and July 31, 2021, national poison control centers received 661 exposure cases of delta-8 THC products, 660 of which occurred between January 1, 2021, and July 31, 2021. Among the 661 cases of exposure:
Unintentional exposure to delta-8 THC was found in 41% of cases, and 77 percent of these unintentional exposures occurred in children under the age of 18.
Children under the age of 18 were involved in 39% of the cases, and 18% of them required hospitalization, including children who required intensive care unit (ICU) admission as a result of their exposure to these products.
3. Delta-8 THC has intoxicating and psychoactive properties.
Delta-8 THC has psychoactive and intoxicating properties, similar to delta-9 THC (the component that causes people to get “high” when they use cannabis). The FDA is aware of reports in the media that delta-8 THC products make people “high.” The FDA is also concerned that delta-8 THC products expose consumers to significantly higher levels of the substance than are found naturally in hemp cannabis raw extracts. As a result, historical cannabis use cannot be used to determine the safety of these products in humans.
4. To achieve the claimed concentrations of delta-8 THC in the marketplace, many delta-8 THC products use potentially harmful chemicals.
The natural amount of delta-8 THC in hemp is extremely low, necessitating the use of additional chemicals to convert other cannabinoids in hemp, such as CBD, into delta-8 THC (i.e., synthetic conversion). The following are some of the issues with this procedure:
Some manufacturers may use potentially hazardous household chemicals in this chemical synthesis process to create delta-8 THC. To change the color of the final product, additional chemicals may be used. Because of the chemicals used in the process, the final delta-8 THC product may contain potentially harmful by-products (contaminants), and there is uncertainty about other potential contaminants that may be present or produced depending on the composition of the starting raw material. These chemicals, including some used to make (synthesize) delta-8 THC and the by-products created during synthesis, can be harmful if consumed or inhaled.
Delta-8 THC products may be made in uncontrolled or unsanitary conditions, resulting in the presence of unsafe contaminants or other potentially harmful substances.
5. Keep Delta-8 THC products out of the reach of children and pets.
These products are being packaged and labeled in ways that appeal to children (gummies, chocolates, cookies, candies, etc.). These products are available for purchase online as well as at a variety of retailers, including convenience stores and gas stations, where age restrictions may not apply. There have been numerous poison control center alerts involving pediatric patients who have been exposed to delta-8 THC-containing products, as previously mentioned. Furthermore, animal poison control centers have reported a significant increase in the number of pets accidentally exposed to these products. Keep these items out of the reach of kids and pets.
Why is the FDA issuing a public health alert about delta-8 THC?
The FDA has decided to provide this information to consumers due to a number of factors. These elements include:
An increase in adverse event reports to the FDA and poison control centers across the country.
Children-friendly marketing, including product marketing on the internet.
Concerns about contamination from manufacturing methods that may be used to make marketed delta-8 products in some cases.
The FDA is actively working with federal and state partners to address these concerns, as well as monitoring the market for product complaints, adverse events, and other emerging cannabis-derived products of concern. When FDA-regulated products violate the law, the FDA will issue warnings to consumers about public health and safety concerns.