Please note: this article is not to be taken as legal advice.
Drug dogs have been long utilized for their incredible olfactory senses, which can detect various chemicals in drugs, including Delta 9 THC in cannabis. With federal regulations still making the possession and use of Delta 9 THC illegal, drug dog detection remains critical to law enforcement. To get around these legal loopholes, some retailers in states where marijuana is illegal have started offering gummies and carts with Delta 8 THC, a synthetic psychoactive compound similar to Delta 9 THC. But the question remains: Can police dogs smell Delta 8 gummies and carts? Let’s take a look!
How Do Dogs Detect THC?
Drug dogs are known for their incredible sense of smell, which can detect even the faintest odors. When it comes to detecting THC, dogs are trained to sniff out specific aromatic compounds found in marijuana.
These compounds are called terpenes, and they give cannabis its distinct smell. The two most common terpenes found in marijuana are beta-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide. These two terpenes are present in high concentrations in marijuana, and they give the plant its characteristic smell.
When a dog sniffs an item, they breathe in air through their nostrils and into their nasal cavities. Inside the nasal cavities, millions of olfactory receptor cells are responsible for detecting odors. These cells are surrounded by mucus, which helps to trap odor molecules. Here, these aromatic molecules activate the olfactory receptor cells, which then send signals to the brain about the smell.
When a drug-sniffing dog believes it has detected narcotics, it usually shows an active alert. This alert could come in the form of barking, straining towards, digging, or pawing at the spot where the drugs are located. The dog may also freeze and stare intently at the location.
However, it's important to note that a dog showing an active alert does not necessarily mean that drugs are present. Remember, the dogs are searching for terpenes, which aren’t illegal.
Beta-caryophyllene is a naturally occurring compound that is present in hemp, black pepper, cloves, basil, oregano, and lavender, among many other plants. If any of these are present, it can trigger the same reaction from a dog that marijuana would.
Can Dogs Detect Delta 8 THC?
There are no studies to confirm if dogs can detect Delta 8 THC. However, it certainly seems possible.
Delta 8 THC is naturally occurring in cannabis, but in very low amounts. There isn’t enough to create Delta 8 extracts. Instead, Delta 8 is created through a process called isomerization, which exposes CBD from hemp to certain chemicals and solvents that convert it into Delta 8 THC.
Hemp strains used in this process can contain high levels of terpenes, including ones that drug-sniffing dogs have been trained to detect. If a dog detects the presence of specific terpenes, it may alert its handler to the presence of Delta 8 THC products, even though they are legal in some states.
If Delta 8 THC products are discovered in your possession, you may be subject to local laws and penalties. Therefore, it's essential to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding cannabis products in your area and to exercise caution when traveling with them.
Can Dogs Smell THC Carts with Delta 8?
Yes, drug-sniffing dogs that are trained to detect marijuana can smell Delta 8 THC vape cartridges and pens. However, it's worth noting that while dogs can detect the presence of THC, they cannot differentiate between legal amounts of THC found in hemp-derived CBD gummy products and illegal amounts of THC found in marijuana.
Additionally, while most drug dogs are trained to detect specific compounds found in marijuana, such as beta-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide, their accuracy in detecting THC vape cartridges is not always guaranteed.
Can Police Dogs Smell Delta 8 Gummies?
Much like with carts, drug-sniffing dogs could potentially uncover Delta 8 gummies. Their olfactory system is so strong that proper packaging won’t prevent them from smelling aromas they’ve been trained to find.
Dogs might find Delta 8 gummies due to the presence of aromatic terpenes in the product. These terpenes can have distinct smells that attract drug-sniffing dogs, causing them to alert their handlers to the presence of a substance that contains Delta 8 THC.
Additionally, if the gummies are made from hemp strains that contain high levels of terpenes that dogs have been trained to detect, it's possible that the dogs could alert on the scent of the gummies.
Can a Drug-Sniffing Dog Be Wrong?
Yes, drug-sniffing dogs can be wrong and have been found to be incorrect in their alerts in some cases. According to a report by NPR in 2011, officers found drugs or drug paraphernalia in only 44% of cases in which drug-sniffing dogs alerted them.
While dogs have an incredible sense of smell and are highly trained to detect specific odors, they can still be influenced by factors, such as:
- Distractions
- The environment
- False positive
- Their training
- Quality and agenda of the handler
It's important to note that while drug-sniffing dogs can be useful tools in law enforcement, their accuracy should not be relied upon solely, and other evidence should be used to corroborate their findings.
What to Do If You Think a Police Dog Is Wrong
If you believe that a drug-sniffing dog has given a false positive alert, there are several actions you can take.
Firstly, you can ask the officer or handler to conduct a re-test with the dog. This second test can help to confirm whether or not the dog is accurate in its detection.
Secondly, if you believe that the dog's behavior was influenced by external factors, such as distractions or environmental cues, you can request that the test be conducted in a controlled environment and without any other people or distractions around.
Lastly, if you believe that the alert was a false positive, you can seek legal counsel and challenge the evidence presented against you in court. It's important to note that while drug-sniffing dogs can be a useful tool in law enforcement, they are fallible, and their accuracy should always be corroborated with other evidence before taking legal action.
Delta 8 Gummies, Carts, and Police Dogs
The detection of Delta 8 THC gummies and carts by police dogs remains uncertain due to the lack of research on the topic. While drug-sniffing dogs can be trained to identify a range of narcotics, including marijuana, it is unclear whether they are specifically trained to detect Delta 8 THC products. Since Delta 8 THC is a relatively new product on the market, there is little data on how dogs might react to it. Be sure you’re aware of all local and federal laws surrounding Delta 8 THC whenever you make a purchase or consume your products.
Hannah Smith is Joy Organics Director of Communications. She is driven by her passion for providing clear and accessible wellness and CBD education. In 2015, she received her BA in Media, Culture and the Arts from The King’s College in New York City and before Joy Organics, worked as writer and photographer in the Middle East and North Africa. Her work has been featured on Forbes, Vice, Vox, Denver Post, and the Coloradoan.
