Is Delta-8 legal in Arizona?
Hemp-derived Delta-8 is arguably legal in Arizona. Keep reading for more info. Click here to order the finest Delta-8 products online!
What is Delta-8?
Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is a cannabinoid, which just means it is a substance from the cannabis plant. There are hundreds of identified cannabinoids in the plant, and when cannabinoids are consumed, they have an effect on the human endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system uses the cannabinoids as neurotransmitters/neuromodulators that work on the cannabinoid receptors throughout the human body.
The endocannabinoid system is still being studied, but researchers link it to regulating physiological and cognitive processes, pain-sensation, immune system activities, appetite, mood, and memory, and in mediating the effects of cannabis [A].
Delta-8 is a very popular THC product used for therapeutic needs. In some places legislators understand its benefits and are onboard with Delta-8. Other states like Arizona have been less clear, but considering that adult use marijuana is legal there, it seems a bit confusing.
What’s the Difference Between Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, Delta-10 THC?
Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC occur naturally in cannabis, and all three are isomers of the same molecule, tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. THC is one of the hundreds of identified cannabinoids from the cannabis plant, and it is the main psychoactive substance in cannabis. An isomer is one of two or more compounds that have the same number of atoms of the same elements but have different structural arrangement and properties.
Chemically speaking, the molecule that makes these three types of THC is very similar. The difference is where a double-bond occurs. For Delta-8 it is on the eighth carbon chain, Delta-9 on the ninth carbon chain, Delta-10 on the tenth. Research shows that Delta-8 and Delta-10 share many of the effects of Delta-9, though typically at lower levels.
What does “hemp-derived” mean?
Hemp-derived means made from hemp, sometimes called industrial hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill (see next section) established new federal legal definitions and rules for industrial hemp, including that hemp plants, and “and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers of such a plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis” may be used for production, sales, transport, and use. Hemp and hemp derivatives include cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD), Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC. These cannabinoids and others are federally-compliant for use in many inhalable, edible, and topical products.
What is the Farm Bill and does the Farm Bill make Delta-8 THC legal?
The Farm Bill legalized hemp and Delta-8 in the United States. For many years in the United States, cannabis was illegal whether or not it contained THC, which comes from the cannabis plant. In 2018, the United States Congress enacted a groundbreaking piece of legislation, known as the 2018 Farm Bill. It defines cannabis with less than .3% of Delta-9 THC per dry weight as hemp and allows it in all 50 states. Cannabis with more than .3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight is still a federally controlled substance on the Drug Enforcement Agency’s Schedule 1 list. This is despite the fact that many states allow medical use or adult recreational use of cannabis with more than .3% Delta-9 THC.
The Bill defines hemp as:
Hemp –The term `hemp’ means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
All THC isomers in Earthy Select products are made exclusively from organically-grown, federally-compliant, third party tested hemp.
How do you buy high quality Delta-8?
You should always buy from trusted brands like Earthy Select who follow safe manufacturing standards and use third-party testing to ensure a clean and potent product. Poor processing of Delta-8 may lead to degradation of the compound, inaccurate potency, or harmful by-products. So the processing standards of Delta-8 THC are critical for its quality, safety and legality. You look for companies who provide a certificate of analysis (CoA) for each product. A CoA is a document attesting to a product’s laboratory analysis for cannabinoids and in some cases adulterants, heavy metals and pesticides.
For best reliability, producers should use third-party lab testing and publish the results. Labs that are registered with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and International Standards Organization (ISO) and other regulating entities follow federal regulations and are trusted to ensure federal-compliance with Delta-8 and other hemp-derived products.
Earthy Select provides the highest quality Delta-8 THC and offers third-party CoAs for each and every product, including all strains of premium Delta-8 THC Pre-Rolls
Where is Delta-8 THC legal?
Based on the 2018 Farm Bill, all hemp-derived cannabinoids are federally-compliant provided they contain less than .3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight. This means that Delta-8 is not a federally-controlled substance if it is from hemp, and it contains less than .3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight.
The federal government allows hemp and hemp-derived Delta-8 THC products nationally and will not have state law limit their transportation across state lines. But states still have the ability to limit Delta-8 or other hemp compounds and cannabinoids within their borders. It’s confusing for Americans but is the current situation. \
Where to buy Delta-8 in Arizona
In Arizona you can find Delta-8 in stores like Tumbleweeds Health Center, or you can always use the convenience of Earthy Select’s direct mail order service! We sell potent Delta-8 gummies, flower, lozenges, tablets, tinctures and vapes. Satisfaction guaranteed!
Delta-8 and the law in Arizona
Adults in Arizona, under Arizona state law, are permitted to have up to five grams of recreational cannabis or any recreational marijuana concentrate according to Arizona’s Smart and Safe Arizona Act, aka Prop 207, which passed in 2020. The law also allows adults to buy marijuana from licensed dispensaries. Currently, Arizona state legislature has made recreational marijuana legal in Arizona. Arizona dispensaries association allow up to 5 grams of cannabis for anyone over 21.
In 2018, Arizona passed SB1098 which allows hemp and hemp-derived products, with the same definition as the Farm Bill, ie. cannabis with less than .3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight from the industrial hemp plant.
That would seem to include Delta-8. Further, hemp-derived Delta-8 seems to be outside the regulation of the marijuana program, and consumers are not expected to face any issues [2].
Final thoughts on Delta-8 in Arizona
Arizonans should be free to use Delta-8 THC. We think you’ll love Earthy Select’s premium Delta-8 products, available for online order and we ship coast to coast!
Disclaimer – Information is provided for educational purposes. It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice or medical advice. We attempt to be accurate and up to date but the legality of cannabinoids and the science of cannabis is evolving. The author is neither a lawyer or a legal expert, nor a doctor or medical expert. You should check with your local authorities and medical providers before buying or using any products.
References
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delta-8 as strong as Delta-9?
They are both forms of THC that can be derived from hemp or marijuana, and both can have strong effects. They are both federally legal if derived from hemp and have less than .3% Delta-9 THC per dry weight. The strength or potency of both can vary greatly, but on average, Delta-8 is considered to have one-half to two-thirds the strength of Delta-9.
Is Delta-8 really legal?
THC comes from the cannabis plant. For many years in the United States, cannabis was illegal whether or not it contained THC. In the last decade Congress enacted two groundbreaking pieces of legislation, known as the 2014 Farm Bill and 2018 Farm Bills. This legislation defines cannabis with less than .3% of Delta-9 THC per dry weight as hemp and allows it in all 50 states*. It also states that derivatives of hemp (cannabinoids, extracts, isomers) are also federally-compliant. The THC isomers in our products are made exclusively from organically-grown, federally-compliant hemp.
Even though these products are federally-compliant, individual states may have their own regulations about purchasing or using hemp-based THC products. You should check your state and local rules before ordering.
Is it legal to send Delta-8 in the mail?
Yes, but even though these products are federally-compliant, individual states may have their own regulations about purchasing or using hemp-based THC products, and these are subject to change. You should check your state and local rules before ordering.
Does Delta-8 get you very high?
Products with THC, even at low dosages, have the potential to produce psychoactive and therapeutic effects. The strength of the effects on a particular person will be different depending on a few things: dosage level, body weight, food or other substances in the system, and experience/tolerance level of THC, and personal body chemistry. You may feel “high” after using THC products so we strongly recommend you use them responsibly.
What is the best dosage of Delta-8?
Products with THC, even at low dosages, have the potential to produce psychoactive and therapeutic effects. While our products have a suggested dosage listed on each package, the strength of the effects on a particular person will be different depending on a few things: the dosage level, body weight, food or other substances in the system, personal body chemistry, and experience level or tolerance of THC.
Generally speaking, it is recommended that you start with the lowest dose, ie. 5mg to 10mg, and gradually increase it until you reach satisfactory results. Consult your healthcare provider with specific questions about using any therapeutic products.
