Delta-9 THC, the compound that truly comes to mind when anybody speaks of “THC ” was first truly identified by an organic chemist from Israel named Raphael Mechoulam who is also affectionately called the “Godfather of Cannabis” in the 1970s’.
Ever since then, scientists began discovering various other cannabinoids like the Delta-8 THC, but none of them got the same level of popularity, fame and affection like the Delta-9 THC variant did.
Ever since then there have been very little studies done on its not so famous cousin the Delta-8 THC variant.
The Delta-8 THC has been studied little here and there ever since the 1970’s but there was never a full-fledged study on it.
This is probably because it occurred in nature in very few amounts and is very difficult and expensive to extract. It also has much less potency than its famous cousin the Delta-9 THC.
It’s fair to say that the research and interest in the Delta-8 THC variant as well as other cannabinoids had been effectively stalled until Mechoulam discovered a way to reproduce the Delta-8 THC cannabinoid with the help of isomerization.
Isomerization is the process of breaking the atomic bonds of a single molecule and changing it into another molecule which shares the same atoms but in a very different arrangement. Many manufacturers are now seeing the Delta-8 THC.
With the recent crackdown on the practice of nicotine vaping, several manufacturers are now eyeing Delta-8 THC and other hemp-based derivatives as an economically convenient, cheap and effective way to regain all the revenue they have lost over the years.
They have discovered that their target audience consists of consumers that are used to nicotine vaping which makes it a potentially larger market, moreover, the facilities that allow mixing of e-liquid do not ask for many adjustments.
Delta-8 THC has a lot in common in the way the CBD boom had. Plus, the business remains legal even in the states where the sale of cannabis-based products remains to be banned.
This sudden resurgence of Delta-8 THC has mostly been possible thanks to the famous Farm Bill passed in the United States in the year 2018. This bill legalizes the production and sale of all hemp-based products and was signed into law by then President Donald Trump.
However, it’s important to note that this law does not allow the Delta-8 THC to be legal in all the states as it varies from state to state even though Delta-8 THC is technically legal on a federal level.
For example, in the state of Idaho, Delta-8 THC is still considered to be a Schedule I substance which means, selling it could lead to a misdemeanor or in the worst-case scenario even a felony charge.
According to the owner of a famous nicotine vape industry, in order to initiate a career in Delta-8 THC, Delta-8 THC is exactly what CBD was supposed to be when it was sold.
A veteran in the field of e-liquid manufacturing, who is also the president of a popular Hemp Company based in Massachusetts has also been inching away out of the entire nicotine vape space and has been eyeing cannabis, according to him, he needed a defined purpose.
He had a decision to make as soon as he assumed a board position at a famous Hemp Association based in the Northeast.
He said that he had two choices to either be associated with the plant loved by his state or the molecule which was hated by everybody.
According to a consumer advocate for nicotine vaping the manufacturing process of Delta-8 THC is very similar and has a similar customer base. Although he also claims that there is a much bigger customer base a lot like CBD.
He also says that while vaping is just for smokers, Delta-8 THC and CBD can be used by everyone.
Future Concerns
The popularity of Delta-8 THC is steadily increasing and is already getting noticed by more and more people throughout the states, it has already proven itself to be a highly flourishing, crowded field.
Just in the past month, the Delta-8 THC has gained the attention of various national media outlets leaving a majority of people to wonder that the increasing popularity foreshadows a similar story of doom.
Firstly, because of an imminent regulatory catastrophe very similar to that of nicotine vaping, with various lawmakers reacting to an apparently concealed loophole found in the Farm Bill passed in 2018.
Secondly, by cutting through into legal cannabis sales in various states leading to the tax market taking a severe hit which could potentially prompt many distasteful legislative actions in response.
Thirdly, by falling into the hands of children or at least being shamed for doing so, hence initiating another set of cringy scare campaigns motivated by propaganda. Such are the narratives that seem to be developing.
Is Selling Delta-8 THC Profitable?
There continue to be various uncertainties regarding the legality status of Delta-8 THC and its future market aspects. Its future markets are inhibiting people in the nicotine vape industry from accepting that cannabinoids are a comparatively better bet.
A founder of the famous E-Cig Outlet and a Hemp Oil Distro in Michigan initiated his own manufacturing facility in the year 2018 in order to produce CBD. Although right now 98% of his sales consists of Delta-8 THC while the remaining 2% consists of CBD sales.
He started out by unloading 3,000 Delta-8 THC soft chews per month and in just a span of 3 months, the number increased to 100,000 per week!
Hence it is needless to say at this point that the sale of Delta-8 THC products is highly profitable to say the least and will see a steady increase in the future.