An In-Depth Look at Delta 8 Hemp Flower

A Story by Mr Gold Dust

If you have been paying attention to the hemp industry lately, you’ve likely heard of delta 8 hemp flower. Now, trends come and go, and the CBD industry is always developing new and exciting products

What is Delta 8?

To understand delta 8 hemp flower, you need to understand delta 8, which is still a widely misunderstood compound. Delta 8 is a cannabinoid that naturally occurs in about 0.1% of the hemp plant’s chemical composition. Delta 8 is actually short for delta 8 tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. Yes �" THC. However, it’s not like delta 9 THC, which is the cannabinoid that we associate with marijuana. That’s because delta 8 is the result of delta 9 that has naturally degraded over time. As a result, its psychoactive properties are milder, but it will still get you high, technically speaking.

Delta 8 THC is, in fact, legal. This is because federal law since 2018 has stated that all hemp derivatives, including cannabinoids, can be legally sold and purchased. Full spectrum hemp products already contain the amount of delta 8 that naturally occurs in hemp, but the amount is so small that users would not notice the difference. Now, companies have developed delta 8 extracts which concentrate the effects of this fascinating compound.

Now, let’s get one thing straight. Delta 8 is psychoactive, but that’s not all that it has to offer. This cannabinoid utilizes a unique double-binding process when it interacts with cannabinoids, which means that its effects are quite similar to those of CBD but may be more potent. This is one major reason why delta 8 has become so desirable.

What is Hemp Flower?

Now, let’s quickly explain what hemp flower is for those who don’t know, to paint the proper picture of what delta 8 hemp flower is. Hemp flower, also referred to as CBD flower, is simply the flowering buds that have been picked from the mature hemp plant. Most CBD products we use, like tinctures and edibles, contain an extract made from the hemp flower. Therefore, hemp flower is simply the rawest form of hemp you can find, and it is within these flowering buds where you’ll get the full array of compounds like cannabinoids and terpenes that we desire.

Being the rawest form of hemp, m any find that hemp flower is ideal in terms of bioavailability, potency and effectiveness. And, hemp flower comes in a profound array of strains, which is great for those who are picky about the effects they want to experience.

Delta 8 Hemp Flower

Now, let’s put the two together. Delta 8 hemp flower is simply raw hemp flower that has been “enhanced” with delta 8 extract. In other words, a delta 8 extract has been applied to the raw hemp flower to give it a higher delta 8 concentration, while the other compounds remain present in their naturally occurring levels and states. Like standard hemp flower, delta 8 hemp flower comes in any strains, and may be more bioavailable than traditional CBD products made with extracts.

How Delta 8 Hemp Flower is Different from Traditional Hemp Flower

The obvious difference between delta 8 hemp flower and regular hemp flower is the psychoactive factor. But, like we said, delta 8 has potentially stronger properties, and so using delta 8 flower may give you the ability to reach your wellness goals in a uniquely efficient way.

How Delta 8 Hemp Flower is Made

Each company that produces delta 8 hemp flower has their own process that works for them. But, typically, it starts with picking the mature flowering buds of the hemp plant and curing them in a controlled environment. Then, the delta 8 extract is produced, typically through one of two means. One method involves the delta 8 compound being isolated and concentrated, but this can be very tedious and costly due to the naturally low prominence of this compound.

The more popular method is to take advantage of a fascinating discovery about the cannabinoid. Delta 8, as it turns out, is an isomer of CBD, which means that its atomic composition is identical, but arranged in a different manner. By rearranging the atoms in CBD, you get delta 8. And, this is more cost-effective due to the natural abundance of CBD in the hemp plant.

From there, the company will infuse the natural hemp flower with the delta 8 extract in order to boost its delta 8 level.