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While Delta-8 Grows in Popularity, Federal Agencies Warn of Health Risks

BY VANESSA ORR hospital or emergency room following its hemp is low, manufacturers who convert
ingestion, and 19 experienced adverse other cannabinoids in hemp, like CBD
There’s always something new in hemp- effects including vomiting, hallucinations, into delta-8, may potentially use unsafe
derived products, and Delta-8, which is trouble standing and loss of conscious- household chemicals or create them in
available in vapes, gummies and other ness. unsanitary settings, creating more issues
forms, has been growing in demand over National poison control centers noted for consumers.
the past couple of years. In fact, according 661 cases resulting from delta-8 exposure Some states have begun reacting to
to the Addiction Center website, sales of between January 2018 and July 31, 2021, issues caused by delta-8; in May of this
the compound increased by 144 percent of which 18 percent required hospitaliza- year, the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement
from April 2020 and April 2021. tion, including children who required Division and the Colorado Department of
Its popularity—and a growing number intensive care unit admission. Children Public Health and Environment banned
of complaints—have caught the attention ularity has grown in part because it is mar- who had ingested delta-8-infused gum- the sale of products containing delta-8,
of both the U.S. Food & Drug keted as legal in places where marijuana, mies experienced deep sedation, slowed noting that “chemically modifying or con-
Administration (FDA) and the Centers for and delta-9, which is far more potent, is breathing, irregular heartbeats and verting any naturally occurring cannabi-
Disease Control (CDC). Both recently put not. Most delta-8 is synthesized from CBD, decreased blood pressure, among other noids from industrial hemp is non-compli-
out warnings about serious health risks which comes from hemp, which was legal- symptoms. ant with the statutory definition of ‘indus-
that users of the product could be facing. ized by Congress in 2018. There are a number of issues surround- trial hemp product.’”
While delta-9 THC is illegal in Florida, ing Delta-8 products that are making them A number of other states, including
What is Delta-8? delta-8 is legal to purchase for those 21 more difficult to monitor. While a legal Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware,
According to the FDA, delta-8-tetrahy- and older. loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill defines the Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi,
drocannabinol, or Delta-8, is a psychoac- legal delta-9 concentration of 0.3 percent Montana, New York, North Dakota,
tive substance found in small amounts in Is It Safe? for hemp, it does not define delta-8 con- Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont and
the cannabis sativa plant; however, con- These products, which have not been centrations. Products labeled simply as Washington have followed their lead and
centrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typ- evaluated or approved by the FDA, may ‘hemp products’ can also mislead cus- either banned or more stringently regulat-
ically manufactured from hemp-derived pose serious health risks. tomers who do not realize they may con- ed delta-8 products.
cannabidiol (CBD). From December 2020 through July tain the psychoactive delta-8, and some As interest in delta-8 continues to grow,
While those who use delta-8 report that 2021, the FDA received adverse events products are also marketed for therapeutic it remains to be seen if its benefits out-
it calms nausea, boosts appetite, eases pain reports from both consumers and law or medical uses, which has not been weigh its drawbacks, and how manufac-
and reduces anxiety, it is also known for enforcement. Of 22 patients who con- approved by the FDA. turers, consumers and state mandates will
producing a mild high. The product’s pop- sumed delta-8 products, 14 went to the Because the natural amount of delta-8 in affect the burgeoning market.

30 October 2021 cannabisnewsflorida.com Cannabis News Florida