{"id":3156,"date":"2020-03-17T20:39:43","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T20:39:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/dictionary\/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:37:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T18:37:15","slug":"delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol","status":"publish","type":"dictionary","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/dictionary\/delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol","title":{"rendered":"What is delta-8 THC?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol \u2014 aka delta-8 THC \u2014 is an intoxicating cannabinoid found in cannabis plants. Effects-wise, it's similar to delta-9 THC<\/a>, but delta-8 is typically less potent per milligram. Though largely unregulated, this unique compound has gained popularity for its potential therapeutic benefits and milder intoxication.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about delta-8 THC and how it differs from other popular cannabinoids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\tIs delta-8 THC synthetic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since it appears in such scant amounts in cannabis plants naturally, most delta-8 THC manufacturers synthesize it from cannabidiol (CBD)<\/a>, a non-intoxicating compound pulled from hemp plants. Due to its low natural concentration in weed plants, it's made by chemically converting CBD through a process known as isomerization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, while delta-8 THC itself is a naturally occurring compound, the form you commonly find is usually derived through synthetic methods, and it's often available and purchased in a semi-synthetic form.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tDelta-8 vs. delta-9: What's the difference?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can compare these two compounds in a few different ways:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chemical structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\t\t\t
\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Delta-9\n\t\t\t<\/a>Photo by: Weedmaps<\/cite><\/figure>\t\t\t