Cannabinoid legality is always a touch and go subject. Are they legal or not? What is considered a cannabinoid and why are there laws against them? What does the federal law and Indiana law say about this new cannabinoid, Delta 8?

Delta 8

One up and coming cannabinoid is Delta 8. Similar to Delta 9, which is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis, Delta 8 can create a sort of high for its users to a lesser degree. There is a difference in chemical structure that creates the difference between Delta 8 and Delta 9. There is a double bond on the 8th carbon chain in Delta 8. Compared to the double bond on the 9th carbon chain for Delta 9. Because of this slight difference, Delta 8 creates a more controllable high in consumers than Delta 9, along with none of the common side effects, like increased paranoia and anxiety.

Farm Bill

It is! In 2018 the Farm Bill was passed, which made products that contained less than 0.3 percent of Delta 9, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, then it was legal to sell. Since Delta 8 has that small difference in chemical structure from Delta 9, it can be sold on the market. But just because Delta 8 is federally legal, it doesn’t mean that it’s legal in all the states. Some states still have a law against cannabinoids, so researching state laws is always important. 

Indiana Law State

Indiana is typically a very conservative state, which has led to many delays in cannabinoid acceptance. Standard cannabis is not legal in the state, but Delta 8 is. According to Indiana State Law: “‘Hemp product’ means a product derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants or plant parts including derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers.”

Delta 8 falls under this category as a cannabinoid. The law also states that “‘Marijuana’ means any part of the plant genus Cannabis whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant, including hashish and hash oil; any compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin.”

This does NOT include certain variables, including industrialized hemp, which is what Delta 8 is. This specific classification is what makes Delta 8 legal in Indiana, which is a welcomed surprise. But this law is always subject to change, so always research the state laws in your area before purchasing any Delta 8 products.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.