IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Extract Labs offers a variety of CBD, Delta 8, Delta 9 and other cannabinoid products including gummies, tinctures, topicals, capsules and more.
there are still many unknowns about this cannabinoid, resulting in users improperly consuming these products or taking too high a dosage.
“ The reason that people take alternate cannabinoids is because they can be bought in smoke shops and gas stations nationally,” says Kaplan.“ Delta 8 has been banned in several states in the United States, including Alaska, Colorado, Massachusetts, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi and Montana.”
Extract Labs’ Henderson explains that the state bans come down to a lack of regulation and consumer protection around Delta 8.
“ Because Delta 8 is often synthesized from CBD through a chemical process, there’ s more room for error— or worse, for bad actors— to introduce unsafe products to the market,” he says.“ Some states saw that as a risk and chose to ban it outright rather than regulate it. It’ s understandable, but it doesn’ t necessarily solve the underlying issues.”
In a 2022 study, researchers from the University at Buffalo and the University of Michigan partnered with a Buffalo-based manufacturer of cannabinoid( CBD) products, Bison Botanics, in an effort to learn more about the benefits and potential drawbacks of Delta 8 THC. Out of 521 people, most respondents stated that they enjoyed the effects from the cannabinoid.
Experiences with Delta 8 were characterized predominantly by“ relaxation, pain relief and euphoria, with most participants saying they could perform their normal daily activities without experiencing the adverse side effects associated with cannabis use, such as paranoia, anxiety or the munchies,” according to the study.
Continued education and research on Delta 8 is critical to inform policies, regulations and practices that minimize the costs, risks and harms while maximizing the cannabinoid’ s potential benefits.
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF DELTA 8 AND DELTA 9 THC
When consumed properly and in the right dosage that suits your body, Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC offer similar effects. There are, however, slight differences that consumers need to be aware of to have an enjoyable experience.
Cody Callarman is the president and founder at Carolina Dream, a cannabis consumer products company.
Carolina Dream’ s Delta 9 THC Gummies are also infused with CBD and other terpenes to help give consumers a better experience.
According to Cannectd Wellness’ Kaplan, the structural similarity to Delta 9 found in cannabis is what gives the cannabinoids their similar effects.
Henderson also explains that " Delta 8 THC is a type of psychoactive cannabinoid that causes mellow and clearheaded symptoms in many cannabis users. In low and moderate doses, Delta 9 can promote relaxation, euphoria, a giggly mood and relief. Higher doses of Delta 9 may carry side effects such as uneasiness or paranoia." Cody Callarman, president and founder at Carolina Dream, always advises consumers to start low and go slow when trying Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC for the first time.“ Depending on your own experiences and how educated the staff is, everyone’ s body and endocannabinoid system is different. Start with five milligrams and move up from there if you need to,” he says.
Even though Delta 8 tends to produce milder effects, it can still hit hard for consumers who aren’ t used to it. This is why Henderson also recommends starting with a small dose and giving it plenty of time to kick in before taking more.
“ Also, make sure you’ re buying from a reputable brand with lab-tested products,” he advises.“ Knowing what you’ re putting into your body is key to having a safe, enjoyable experience.”
Consuming Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC should be an enjoyable experience. To help avoid bad experiences and feelings of paranoia or anxiety, proper education is key.
“ Rather than banning Delta 8 altogether, I’ d love to see more focus on regulation and testing standards,” says Henderson.“ If states applied the same rigorous standards to Delta 8 products as they do to other cannabis products— like requiring third-party lab testing, clear labeling and production transparency— we’ d all be better off. Consumers deserve safe, well-made products. Regulation would help weed out the bad players while keeping a product that people clearly want available.”• www. stateways. com Summer 2025 • StateWays 49