By now it’s probably no surprise that we’ve rolled out not one but two new brands of CBD supplements: full spectrum CBD and Delta 9 gummies, also known as high potency full spectrum gummies. And as with so many new products, it’s common for consumers to have a boatload of new questions, such as:
- What is Delta 9?
- How is Delta 9 different from Delta 8 THC or CBD?
- Is Delta 9 legal near me?
- Do I need to worry about Delta 9 drug tests?
It can be especially confusing since as far as most people are concerned, THC is still federally illegal. So how are our new CBD formulas legal, and can you use them? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers to all your questions and more.
What Is Delta 9?
Like CBD, Delta 9 THC (or Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol) is one of the over 100 cannabinoids found in the Cannabis sativa plant. But unlike CBD or the majority or the other cannabinoids, Delta 9 THC is psychoactive, meaning it can get you high when used in larger concentrations. Which is why it is considered a controlled substance.
Of the various types of THC (Delta 8, Delta 9, and Delta 10), Delta 9 THC is by far the most well known and highly researched form. Created by heating molecules of THCa during the extraction process, Delta 9 THC is also naturally more prominent than the other versions. This makes Delta 9 both cheaper to include in THC products and decreases the likelihood of the THC you consume to be chemically produced.
If you’re interested in trying Delta 9 gummies for the first time, we recommend checking out this guide for beginners full of helpful tips and answers to your many questions.
Delta 9 vs Delta 8 THC
The terms Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC refer to their chemical structure, i.e. the location of the cannabinoid’s double bond attached to the carbon atom. In Delta 8 it is located on the eighth carbon, and in Delta 9 the ninth carbon. Both cannabinoids are psychoactive and occur naturally, but that’s where the similarities end. Unlike Delta 9 THC, not enough research has been conducted on Delta 8 to accurately determine its effects on your body.
Although Delta 8 might be legal near you, that doesn’t mean it’s safer. Like Delta 9, Delta 8 THC is psychoactive and can get you high. But what’s worse is that because Delta 8 isn’t federally regulated, there’s no guarantee that the amount of THC you see on the product label is accurate. Which means there could either be more or less THC than you expect.
And because there aren’t any restrictions placed on Delta 8 THC, manufacturers are not required to disclose what chemicals they used to convert other cannabinoids into Delta 8. While Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid, manufacturers often produce a synthetic version because Delta 8 is only found in trace amounts within the Cannabis sativa plant.
Delta 9 vs CBD
On its own, high concentrations of Delta 9 create a psychoactive “high” and are federally illegal under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). But when combined with CBD and other cannabinoids, less than 0.3% THC content by dry weight is perfectly legal. Industrial hemp, for example, is the standard Cannabis sativa strain used to create our various CBD products.
While our broad spectrum CBD formula is THC-free,* our full spectrum CBD products do contain a small amount of THC. Far below the legal limit of 0.3 percent, but enough to show up in our third-party, ISO-certified lab testing results. Although it may show up in drug screening, broad spectrum CBD oil will not produce a false positive on drug tests because CBD is not considered a controlled substance as of the 2018 Farm Bill.
Like our full spectrum CBD, the Delta 9 THC included in our “high potency” full spectrum products is also well below the federal legal limit. However, the 10 mg of THC included in our Delta 9 gummies is enough to create a psychoactive high. But when combined, CBD actually acts as a “buffer” for THC, meaning it lessens THC’s more adverse effects while heightening your feelings of calm and relaxation.
What It Means to Use a THC Supplement
First and foremost, you should always use caution before purchasing or ingesting products with THC, no matter how low the concentration. This is for a number of reasons, including your state’s specific laws around THC and whether or not regular or random drug tests are a concern for you. But also because not all Delta 9 THC products are safe, third-party tested, or accurately labeled – and you should know exactly what you're getting before you purchase or use something.
Before you use any THC products, you should also be aware of the fact that THC levels can build up in your body over time. This means that even though you might be using a perfectly legal product, like our full spectrum CBD or Delta 9 gummies, the THC levels in your body can increase depending on how regularly you consume products with THC. Which is why you should be careful if Delta 9 drug testing is a concern for you.
Is Delta 9 THC Legal Near You?
It might be.
Although our Delta 9 THC products are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, some states have chosen to make their own laws regarding Delta 9’s sale, purchase, and use. Before purchasing any THC products, including Delta 9 gummies and full spectrum CBD products, please make sure you check your state’s laws regarding THC first. Then check to make sure the product you’re looking at meets those guidelines.
Thankfully, we have a variety of CBD gummies to choose from including wellness and full spectrum CBD gummies. So even though you may not be able to purchase or use our Delta 9 gummies for one reason or another, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the many benefits of CBD in another formula.
Delta 9 Drug Testing
As we stated above, both our full spectrum CBD products and Delta 9 gummies (a.k.a. high potency full spectrum CBD) include a measurable amount of THC. But if all our products are federally legal, does our Delta 9 THC show up on a standard drug test?
Yes, all forms of THC will show up on a drug test. The two most common drug tests you’re likely to encounter are immunoassay and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry testing, both of which are used to test for even the smallest presence of various substances.
If you’re concerned you may fail a drug test based on your employment or activity guidelines, then full spectrum CBD and Delta 9 products may not be the right choice for you.
Immunoassay Testing
Urine, blood, and saliva are the three things most often used during Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) testing, although urine testing is typically the go-to for drug testing. As for how long Delta 9 can stay in your system after use, the answer varies depending on the type of sample taken, which test is used, and how often/how much THC you consume.
- Urine testing: Delta 9 THC is typically detectable in urine for about three to 30 days after use.
- Saliva testing: Delta 9 can be found in saliva up to 72 hours after use, depending on what test is used.
- Blood testing: Delta 9 THC is usually detectable in blood for around 36 hours after use.
Any color change of the sample during testing indicates the presence of a specific drug. The larger the active enzyme is, the higher the content of that specific drug in the sample. A test is considered “positive” when the enzyme grows past a certain margin.
However, it’s important to remember that different organizations and employers have their own guidelines to determine how much of a specific substance is tolerated. So while your EIA test may not come back “positive,” some employers or organizations may look at the enzymes more closely. If there is any change in the active enzyme at all, indicating even a minuscule amount of a substance, and your employer has a “zero tolerance” policy, they will likely still consider the test to be positive.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Testing
Although immunoassay testing is more frequently used for regular drug testing, such as Delta 9 drug testing, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) testing is considered the most sophisticated drug test. This “golden standard” testing is most often used to confirm the presence of drugs previously identified in an EIA.
If Delta 9 drug testing is a concern for you, or if you would rather just avoid THC altogether, we urge you to check out our broad spectrum CBD products for all your THC-free* needs!
For more information on Delta 9 drug testing and how our new line of products may affect you, keep an eye on our frequently updated blog. Interested in staying up to date on the latest supplement news and cbdMD’s upcoming special offers? Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or chat with someone live today!