Cannabinoids are making a stir across the country in their various forms. One of the newer cannabinoids to hit the general market is called Delta 8. Consumers are raving about the benefits it can offer. Let’s take a look at Arizona laws surrounding Delta 8.

Delta 8

Delta 8 is a cannabinoid that is sweeping across newsreels all over the nation. What is it and why is there so much hype around it? Well Delta 8 is a psychoactive cannabinoid similar to that of Delta 9, which is the main cannabinoid found within cannabis that creates the high consumers seek. Though it is similar, there is a difference on the molecular level. There’s a double bond on the 8th carbon chain for Delta 8 and a double bond on the 9th carbon chain for Delta 9. This small difference allows Delta 8 to have some of the same effects as Delta 9, but to a lesser extent. 

This has made Delta 8 a preferred cannabinoid for the general consumer. There’s a lesser high associated with Delta 8 and consumers have reported that they remain in control of themselves after taking Delta 8 while still feeling the relaxing and euphoria that they are seeking when consuming cannabis. Delta 8 has also been reported to not have any side effects unlike Delta 9, which has been commonly reported to give it’s consumers increased paranoia and anxiety, as well as a clouded head. 

Federal Laws

Federally speaking, Delta 8 is legal to the general public. How is this? Well back in 2018, the USDA passed the Farm Bill, which classified any cannabinoid product that has less than 0.3 percent of Delta 8 within it, then it is legal to sell nationwide. Since Delta 8 THC is structurally different from Delta 9, Delta 8 products do not contain any Delta 9 in them. Therefore, Delta 8 products are federally legal. 

Arizona State Laws

While Delta 8 may be legal on the federal level, that doesn’t always mean it transfers to the state level. Take the state Arizona, for example. Arizona says Delta 8 is illegal. The law states: 

“36-2512. Substances in Schedule I

A. The following controlled substances, unless specifically excepted, are included in schedule I:
3. Any material, compound, mixture or preparation that contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances and their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation (for the purposes of this paragraph, “isomer” includes the optical, position and geometric isomers):
(w) Cannabis”

So, anything that contains any part of cannabis, that includes leaves, buds, and stems, is considered a Schedule 1 drug. Schedule one drugs are the most addictive and have the most potential for drug abuse. While Delta 8 is different from Delta 9, as well as the other cannabinoids. Even though there are several benefits to cannabinoids as research has shown, state laws are still laws.

Laws are always subject to change. So always check and do research before purchasing or consuming any cannabinoid products. Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.