Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is one of most open programs for patients, giving access to cannabis flower, edibles, concentrates and more, to patients with symptoms that a doctor believes cannabis might be helpful.
There are a variety of cannabis-derived products available in Louisiana, and among them you’ll find Delta-8 & Delta-10, two new versions of THC that fall under a legal grey area in most places in the country.
In this article, we’ll talk about the difference between Delta-8 & Delta-10, what their purposes are, and who they are right for!
What Is a Tetrahydrocannabinol?
There Are Different Kinds of Tetrahydrocannabinols in Cannabis
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is probably the most famous cannabinoid out there, and whether you’re a medical marijuana patient or not, it’s likely you’re at least somewhat familiar with THC.
Though THC typically refers to the Delta-9 variant of tetrahydrocannabinols, there are actually several different kinds of THCs, though most types of tetrahydrocannabinols are only present in very small amounts.
THC occurs naturally in both hemp and marijuana, though it’s only found in high concentrations with marijuana plants. Hemp is federally prohibited from having over 0.3% THC, according to the 2018 Farm Bill.
In 1964, Raphael Mechoulam isolated THC for the first time, though now we know there are many versions of THC noted by their unique isomers such as Delta-8, Delta-9, or Delta-10 THC, for example.
What Is Delta-8-THC?
Delta-8 Is THC’s Lesser Known Little Brother
Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid similar to Delta-9-THC in that it is psychoactive and occurs naturally in both hemp and marijuana plants. What makes Delta-8-THC unique is a double bond on the 8th carbon chain, while delta-9 has a double bond on the 9th carbon chain.
While this might not sound like a huge difference, anyone who remembers high school science class will know that a small molecular change can drastically alter a chemical’s composition, effects, and properties.
Delta-8 is found in much smaller concentrations than its big brother Delta-9, and because of the smaller amount of Delta-8, it’s not easy to consume from smoking cannabis. Delta-8 can be extracted from cannabis or hemp plants though, and new extraction technologies have made isolating Delta-8 from hemp more accessible. Furthermore, when you find Delta-8 products they’ll likely be in extract form such as vape cartridges.
Delta-8 reportedly has similar effects to Delta-9 such as improved appetite and mood, and potentially anti-anxiety effects, though there is limited research on the effects of Delta-8.
Manufacturers can extract Delta-8 from hemp or marijuana plants and process it into consumable products, most commonly vape cartridges. For medical marijuana patients, it’s important to note that the medicinal value of Delta-8 is currently unknown, and many manufacturers do not have testing or analysis for Delta-8 comparable to the medical marijuana industry.
What is Delta-10-THC?
Delta-10 Is a Relatively New Discovery in Cannabis
Delta-10-tetrahydrocannabinol is another kind of tetrahydrocannabinol that is differentiated by a double bond on the 10th carbon chain. Delta-10 is a relatively new variant in the industry, and even less is known about it than Delta-8.
Delta-10 is anecdotally described as being more like a “sativa” while Delta-8 feels more like an “indica”, though the accuracy of these claims is mostly allegorical. Effects are reported to range from increased euphoria to heightened awareness, and amplified energy or creativity.
Compounds like Delta-8 and Delta-10 run into the problem of regulation and testing in the United States, as there is significant interest for manufacturers to create “semi-legal” alternatives to traditionally banned substances.
Due to lack of regulation and testing, these compounds are not typically recommended for medical marijuana patients or people with chronic or terminal illnesses. There is still very little that is known about Delta-8 and Delta-10, other than the fact that they typically exist naturally in ineffective concentrations, and companies have extracted them into higher concentrations to cause effects.
Are Delta-8 & Delta-10 Legal in Louisiana?
Hemp-Derived Delta-8 & Delta-10 Are Legal in Louisiana, Inhalables Are Not
Technically, yes, Delta-8 and Delta-10 are legal in Louisiana, though inhalable Delta-8 and Delta-10 products are not.
Louisiana decided to regulate instead of banning hemp-derived tetrahydrocannabinols last year, and that decision led to the restriction that tetrahydrocannabinols derived from hemp could not be made into inhalable products.
Delta-8 or Delta-10 derived from marijuana plants, though scientifically indistinguishable from hemp plants, remain illegal in Louisiana.
That means you likely won’t be able to pick up legal Delta-8 or Delta-10 carts in Louisiana, though you’d probably be better off avoiding them due to their unreliable manufacturing processes.
For now, it’s best to stick with medical marijuana in Louisiana, which is subject to heavy testing and analysis from the State and maintains much more medical and scientific research.
Get Your Louisiana Medical Marijuana Certification
You can get a Louisiana medical marijuana certification by consulting with a physician, who can determine whether your symptoms would benefit from medical cannabis. A medical marijuana card offers you the ability to legally purchase and possess medical marijuana in Louisiana, and a medical marijuana certification is the only way to access legal cannabis in the State.
Getting a medical marijuana card in Louisiana is easier than ever, beat the lines and get your medical marijuana certification in Louisiana today, and you can even get certified for medical marijuana online for ease of use and convenience.
For questions about Louisiana’s medical marijuana program, or how to become a medical marijuana patient in Louisiana, consult with one of our trusted doctors and book an online medical marijuana appointment today!
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Louisiana Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (833) 253-2943, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
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