We’ve talked about Delta 8 a lot on our blog, but we’ve yet to get into the nitty-gritty of the processes of making D8, and specifically, D8 flower. So how is Delta 8 infused hemp flower made? Contrary to what you may think, Delta 8 flower isn’t grown; it comes from existing CBD flower.
There’s a lot of uncertainty about what Delta 8 is, and it can be hard to sort that out on your own. So, let’s dive deep into all the details about Delta 8 flower: what it is, how it’s made, and its benefits.
What is Delta 8?
Delta 8 THC is also called Delta 8 or D8 for short. These three terms are all shorter ways to refer to its full name: Delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol. This is one of many naturally made compounds we call cannabinoids found in the hemp or cannabis plant. (The distinction between the hemp plant and the cannabis plant has to do with their concentrations of Delta 9 THC.
Hemp plants have 0.3% or less D9, while cannabis plants have more. While they are essentially the same plant, you can find Delta 8 and many other cannabinoids in both! We will be referring to both hemp and cannabis plants interchangeably in this article).
Formed in the trichomes of cannabis flower in extremely low concentrations, Delta 8 is present in less than 1% of the entire plant! This makes it difficult to cultivate and harvest Delta 8 like we usually harvest cannabis plants. Growing the amount of hemp flower needed to make good Delta 8 products would require heaps of plants. This makes the traditional manufacturing process wasteful and expensive.
How is Delta 8 Made?
There are a few ways to get Delta 8 THC: a distillation or extraction made from hemp or converting one cannabinoid to another through isomerization. Spray this distillation onto THC flowers or infuse the D8 in several CBD products. The safest and most efficient method is the former.
Isomerization is a process that rearranges the carbon chains of two molecularly similar substances. To sell the final product, D8 has to stem from Hemp CBD to stay legal. It’s possible to convert D8 from D9 but the end result would be marijuana-derived, which is not currently legal federally.
Even though Delta 8 and Delta 9 are nearly identical, they possess wildly different qualities due to a small difference in the location of a double bond between their carbon atoms. Delta 8 has a double bond in its 8th carbon chain, and Delta 9 has a double bond between its 9th carbon chain (hence their names). To create D8, we have to move that double bond from the 8th chain to the 9th. To do this, we create a chemical reaction through time, light, and heat.
What is Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower?
Delta 8 THC flower is not grown like CBD flower is. To make D8 flower, we must first infuse regular CBD flower with a Delta 8 distillate, usually by spraying or soaking flowers in the distillate substance. When you smoke or consume the flower, the Delta 8 THC is present on the buds, providing you with the powerful effects of D8!
How is Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower Made?
Delta 8 flower comes through a process where we infuse hemp flower with Delta 8. Do this in just a few steps:
First, select a few quality hemp flower strains. Once selected, coat them with Delta 8 infused kief (soaked or sprayed with Delta 8 distillate) or an infused distillate tincture. Multiple coats are added onto the flower to ensure enough of the product is there to cause the effects of Delta 8 THC. Sometimes terpenes get mixed in at this time to make the flowerless dense. Some hemp plant strains with higher Delta 8 are currently in production, but we are many years away from growing any plants that will naturally produce Delta 8-rich flowers.
Is Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower Legal?
Delta 8 and any products made with Delta 8 are legal. Currently, the federal government has deemed all hemp-derived products legal and classified them as agricultural goods. This means that as long as cannabis/hemp plants contain 0.3% or less Delta 9 THC, they get the definition of “hemp” and are perfectly legal to sell, buy, and consume. Delta 8 flower is one of these hemp products because it comes from a plant with 0.3% or less Delta 9 THC and is not synthetic.
However, hemp products like Delta 8 and CBD face restrictions in certain states. It’s best to check if your state allows the sale and purchase of these products before you buy!
What Are the Benefits And Effects of Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower?
Delta 8 can cause strong feelings of euphoria, calmness, and clarity. Depending on the product and your tolerance for Delta 8, these effects may vary. There are two ways to consume flowers: ingestion and inhalation.
When eating Delta 8 THC, it’s important to remember that it will take longer to feel its effects. The digestion process is lengthy, and it takes around an hour for your body to metabolize and process Delta 8. However, this also means that you will feel the effects longer. Ingesting flower is perfect for those that want longer-lasting effects and don’t mind waiting a bit longer for the Delta 8 to kick in. It is also perfect for those that don’t like smoking or find edibles more enjoyable to consume than other D8 products, as you can bake and cook flowers into your everyday meals.
Smoking Delta 8 flower works almost instantly, but the effects don’t last long. This is because your lungs are a direct route for Delta 8 to circulate through the bloodstream. As you inhale, your lungs clear the Delta 8 from your lungs faster than your digestive system can even metabolize. The instant effects make this route perfect for those that desire instant effects.
Some general effects that come from Delta 8 include:
- Mild euphoria
- Uplifting sensory responses
- Relaxation and calm
- Improved digestion and appetite
- Better quality of sleep
- Creativity
- Energetic focus
- Reduction in discomfort or irritability
Stable Compound
Delta 8 THC is far more stable than Delta 9 but produces similar effects. Delta 8 is much less likely to cause the negative side effects of marijuana, like paranoia, panic, disorientation, and dizziness. This makes Delta 8 products more preferable over Delta 9 products.
Variety
Hemp flower comes in various strains that all have different effects, potency, flavors, and smells. With so many options, there’s definitely a strain out there for you.
For those looking for a more relaxing experience, Indica strains (like Northern Lights) are likely to give you the calming effects you’re looking for. Indica-dominant hemp flower is rich in terpenes like myrcene which have been studied for their soothing qualities. Indica flower is popular for nighttime consumption.
For a more uplifting, energetic experience, Sativa-dominant strains (like Sour Diesel) are the way to go. Sativa is rich in pinene and limonene, which cause euphoric effects. They’re also low in myrcene, making them better for daytime. With added Delta 8 to Sativa and Indica strains, their effects are far more powerful and are likely to give you an intense euphoric experience.
Where Can I Find Quality Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower?
Brand reputation is the most important factor when looking for quality Delta 8 infused hemp flower.
Premium quality hemp will produce the best Delta 8 flower, so it’s best to shop with a brand that has a well-established repertoire. The best Hemp flowers come from US farms to guarantee their potency and ensure they’re pesticide-free. Other factors to weigh when determining whether your brand of choice’s reputation is sound are through factors like positive reviews, evidence of third-party lab tests, and where they source their hemp from.
Third-party lab testing includes Certificates of Analysis (COAs) which tell you how potent a product is. This document also gives you a complete list of cannabinoids present in a product and how potent those are. Brands should have those displayed somewhere on their website as we do on Exhale Wellness.
Final Thoughts – How Is Delta 8 Infused Hemp Flower Made
Delta 8 is a natural cannabinoid in cannabis/hemp plants. This compound comes in its natural form in small numbers, so we must make it from hemp and CBD. Delta 8 is a generally safe substance structurally similar to Delta 9 that can produce comparable effects.
CBD flower or isolate converts into Delta 8 using a chemical manipulation process called isomerization, which moves a double bond between carbon atom chains in their molecular structures. After converting, Delta 8 becomes a distillate that’s sprayable onto hemp flowers to make Delta 8 hemp flower. When shopping for flowers, it’s important to look for reputable brands that are transparent about the quality of their hemp and where they source it from.
