• Home
  • News
  • Are Your Delta-9 THC Products Artificially Made?

Are Your Delta-9 THC Products Artificially Made?

21 June, 2022

 

Of the more than 100 cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, Delta 9 THC and CBD are the two most popular.  Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid found in cannabis sold in dispensaries that gets you high. 

So what’s the difference between the cannabis plant and hemp plant?  If the two were growing next to each other, you would not recognize the difference.

The difference is the amount of THC found in the plants.  Cannabis plants containing 0.3% THC or less are considered hemp, while plants containing more than 0.3% THC are called marijuana.

CBD is the most common cannabinoid found in the hemp plant, while THC is the most common cannabinoid found in the marijuana plant. 

Up until two years ago, 100% of the Delta 9 THC was naturally extracted from one of these plants. In 2018 a farm bill was signed into law allowing farmers to legally grow hemp, while at the same time allowing CBD and other naturally occurring cannabinoids to be legally sold in all 50 states.

At the same time, the number of extraction companies making CBD exploded.  By 2020, there were more labs making CBD than the market demand could support, so many ended up struggling to stay in business. In the years that followed, CBD, CBG, CBN and other cannabinoids could be found online and in stores throughout the United States. CBD sales took off because consumers were able to legally experience a wide range of health benefits without intoxicating side effects of THC. 

In the struggle to innovate and stay competitive, a small number of these labs started experimenting with converting CBD using various chemical reactions to make a synthetic form of THC called Delta 8.  Since Delta 8 was made by converting CBD into Delta 8, it was technically legal according to the Farm Bill and sales exploded across the country. 

In 2021 these same labs were able to create a synthetic form of Delta 9 THC using a similar process.  Now, today this synthetic form of Delta 9 is being legally sold in gummies, gum, and a wide range of other edibles in retail stores.

Is Synthetically-Derived THC Safe?

Delta 9 THC derived from cannabis has been safely consumed by people for thousands of years for medical and recreational purposes, but what about synthetically-derived Delta 8 and Delta 9?  Well, considering they’ve only existed for a couple of years, there is limited safety data available. 

Lab analyses of popular hemp-derived Delta 9 THC products have shown that the majority use the isomerization process to convert CBD into Delta 9 THC.  In one study, 64% of products relied on this method, while 19% contained THC sourced from marijuana, and only 17% used naturally occurring hemp-derived THC. 

The conversion of CBD to Delta 9 THC involves refluxing the former in a solvent (e.g., toluene or heptane) with p-toluenesulfonic acid or another acid that serves as a catalyst for 60 to 90 minutes.

These aggressive synthetic conditions can result in unwanted reaction byproducts and residual compounds. In other words: the Delta 9 THC you consume may be contaminated by harmful chemicals like dichloromethane and trichloroacetic acid. 

It is possible to separate Delta 9 THC from unwanted reaction leftovers and byproducts. But most manufacturers won’t take the time nor spend the money to remove them.  Since companies aren’t testing for these residual solvents or acids, people don’t know what they are consuming. 

The severity and prevalence of contaminated Delta 9 THC products have led many states to enact laws restricting the sale of synthetic cannabinoids (including Delta 8 THC), often citing health concerns related to impurities.  Legal experts have also expressed caution, noting that federal regulatory agencies such as the FDA may impose stricter oversight in the future. 

How to Know if a Product Contains Artificially Made Delta 9 THC

There are two easy ways to tell if a Delta 9 product is made through this chemical process:

Taste the product. Products made from this chemical process do not have a hemp taste. THC products safely made from hemp or cannabis have an earthy, grass-like, and slightly bitter taste.

Look at the product's lab reports.  THC products made through this chemical process do not have naturally occurring terpenes or other cannabinoids. THC products safely made from legal hemp contain a high concentration of CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, and other naturally occurring cannabinoids.  As an example, Joy Organics 5mg THC gummies have 25mg of CBD and 10mg of other cannabinoids. 

Beyond enabling us to stay legal, the resulting ratio of cannabinoids and beneficial plant compounds more closely mirrors what Mother Nature intended, using only compounds extracted and refined directly from the plant. This results in the entourage effect, a well-documented phenomenon in which taking a variety of cannabinoids and terpenes together is more effective than taking any isolated forms alone.

But how does this happen? Many of these compounds have an impact on different physiological mechanisms and signaling pathways in the body. The compounds' actions on these different pathways can thus multiply the likelihood of holistic therapeutic action, putting you squarely on the path to optimal physical and mental wellness.


dr kimberly
dr kimberly
star icon
Joy Organics CBD contains a variety of phytonutrients and can offer an array of benefits for both mental and physical health. DR. KIMBERLY LANGDON

Dr Langdon is one of the more than 1000 healthcare professionals who use and recommend our products.

Join in on the Conversation

Your email address will not be published. Once your comment is approved, it will be published.

Take our 30-seconds quiz. get personalized solutions.

Join The
Joy Organics Family

Sign up and get updates on new products, as well as special coupons and discounts.

Related Blog Posts

Is Joy Organics FDA Approved?
Celebrating these 9 Women Who've Transformed Our Approach to Wellness
Top 3 High Potency CBD Products
The Power of Mitochondrial Health for Optimal Aging
Latest Discoveries on Optimizing Brain Health for a Lifetime
Joy Organics Gift Guide 2024
7 Tips for Connecting with Difficult Family Members over the Holidays
How You Can Stay Healthy This Winter
Add CBD to Your Favorite Recipes with our NEW Water-Soluble CBD Capsules
5 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Your Core
Social Prescriptions: A New Kind of Doctor’s Order
Performing a Breast Exam on Yourself: A Few Tips
What to Do (And Not to Do) if You Can’t Fall Back Asleep
How to Manage Stress Like an ER Doctor
Top Foods for a Flourishing Gut
Top Foods and Drinks That Often Contain Hidden Mold
How Is AI Transforming Our Approach to Health & Wellness?
10 Healthy Habits Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids
Joy Organics: Putting the “Real” in Beauty
What are CBG Benefits? An Intro to the Mother of All Cannabinoids
Top 10 CBD Isolate Products
Top 10 High Potency CBD Products
Best Way to Extract THC from Weed
Best Ways to Maximize Edibles
Delta 8 THC: Where to Get It
Delta 8 THC Flower Wholesale Guide
Delta 9 THC e Liquid + CBD Guide to Full Spectrum Vape Juice
Does HHC Contain THC?
How Long Do THC Disposables Last?
Check out the 10 Best CBD Bath Bombs!
Top 6 CBD Cat Treats for Feline Wellness in 2024
Top 6 CBD Edibles for a Relaxing Experience in 2024
The Top 6 CBD Shampoos of 2024: A Comprehensive Review
The Ultimate Guide to the Best CBD Lube for Enhanced Pleasure
Top 7 Marijuana Seed Banks: Unearthing the Best Cannabis Seeds in 2024
Elevate Your Morning Ritual: Top 6 CBD Coffee Brands of the Year
Where to Get Bulk Delta 8 THC: From Gummies to Carts Wholesale
Delta 8 Gummy Effects: How Long for D8 Edibles to Kick In?
The Ultimate Guide to Delta 9 Gummies Peach Rings
How Long Are THC Cartridges Good?
Does HHC Have THC? Will Consuming HHC Test Positive for THC?
THC Diamonds: The Precious Gems of Cannabis Concentrates
How to Determine the Best CBD THC Ratio for Sleep and Other Potential Wellness Benefits
Need a Delta 8 Gummy Recipe? A Guide to THC Gummies Homemade
Gummy Bears with THC in Them: What to Know About Shopping for Cannabis Gummies
High THC Indica Strains to Optimize the Relaxing Effects of Cannabis
Are Delta 9 THC Beverages an Alternative to Drinking Alcohol?
Delta 8 THC Isolate vs. Delta 8 THC Distillate Uses
Bright vs. Dark: Green Weed Names for the Earthiest Marijuana Buds

Sign up for our email list and unlock exclusive perks!

Be the first to hear about new products, get early access to discounts And promotions, and enjoy expert tips on CBD and overall wellness.

Join our community today and take the first step toward feeling your best!