The new vape ban which starts March 28th, 2021, will make it more difficult to get products like delta-8 THC to people’s homes. Unlike standard delta-9, it does necessitate some processing, so it cannot be simply extracted from the plant as it occurs in far too small amounts. Fortunately, it’s not the hardest thing to make delta-8 THC, and you can even do it in your home.
We’re down to just a few more days before the US 2021 vape ban goes into effect making it nearly impossible to order delta-8 THC through the mail. Delta-8 is preferable to delta-9 THC for many people, and this vape ban will make products harder to obtain. Check out our great Delta-8 THC deals to take advantage of mail order, while we can still ship to you!
To simply say that a person has the ability to buy the products to create delta-8 THC, does not mean they should do it. The processes mentioned below often use dangerous chemicals, and should not be handled by those who are unfamiliar with them. Having said that, for especially the more scientifically-minded out there, the idea that a person can make delta-8 THC at home, is a project worth undertaking, especially as access to it goes down because of the ban.
Some basics on delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC is a naturally occurring derivative of delta-9 THC, the most commonly associated THC in cannabis, though neither form actually occur in large amounts in fresh cannabis flowers. The form in fresh cannabis flowers is THCA which decarboxylates to form delta-9 THC. In the decarboxylation process, which can occur naturally over time from sun exposure, or by applying high temperatures, a CO2 molecule is dropped. That chemical change is also relevant for the activation of THC’s psychoactive effects, which do not exist with THCA. In that sense, there is actually no (or only miniscule amounts of) psychoactive components in a fresh cannabis plant.
Delta-8 THC is associated with a less intense psychoactive high, and less anxiety and panic response. Some say that the high is very clear, and that senses are heightened in users. Delta-8 THC is structurally similar to delta-9, and shares many of the same medical benefits.
Once THCA has decarboxylated to form delta-9 THC, the delta-9 can account for as much as 30% of some marijuana plants. Delta-8 on the other hand, only comes from the oxidation of delta-9. The only structural difference between delta-8 THC, and delta-9 THC (and the other versions of THC created synthetically) is where the double carbon bond occurs. In delta-8, it’s on the 8th carbon atom in the chain, for delta-9, it’s the 9th, and so on. There are actually other forms of THC that have been synthesized, and which do not occur at all on their own, like delta-10 THC.
Is delta-8 legal?
Delta-8 is produced on its own from the oxidation of delta-9, but in order to make large amounts of it, it requires extra processing techniques that some might say make it synthetic. The question of whether delta-9 is synthetic is important when considering the DEA’s Interim Final Rule, and the compound’s general legality. Delta-8 THC, though originally isolated in the 1960’s, didn’t get popular until the 2018 US Farm Bill established the legal ability to cultivate, process, and sell hemp-derived products.
Since delta-8 must be sourced from delta-9, and delta-9 can be found in either high-THC marijuana, or low-THC hemp, it can technically be sourced from either plant. This creates a legal loophole whereby delta-8 THC is illegal under Schedule I of all drug treaties, yet able to be sourced through legal means. The Interim Final Rule, which was put out in 2020, and was meant to clarify the Farm Bill, only created more confusion. It stipulated that all synthetic THC’s are still illegal, bringing up the second question of, is delta-8 THC synthetic?
Making drugs at home
The idea that you can make delta-8 THC in your own home isn’t that far out. Growing cannabis is the most popular home-made drug, and doesn’t require any chemical processing. However, the idea that more complicated lab-oriented processes can’t be carried out at home is obviously untrue. Not only do people use solvents already to create cannabis oils, but let’s remember that the crack and meth industries both started, grew, and thrived off of home-based operations, with the creation of methamphetamine in particular being quite a process.
Crack is made by cooking cocaine and baking soda, applying heat, and then allowing to cool. This can be done almost anywhere, and isn’t associated with massive accidents or explosions. On the other hand, making meth is a more complex process, though still a quick one, and comes with many more dangers. The following is how to make meth in short, and the reason I’m bothering to show cooking instructions for this drug is just to give an idea of what people are already capable of doing in their own homes, and without professional help. So even if it sounds complicated, remember it’s already being done all the time by regular people.
Meth is made primarily by the ‘Nazi Dope’ method which involves mainly household items that can be purchased at a drug store, like pseudo-ephedrine. The exception is anhydrous ammonia which is a chemical fertilizer used on farms, but still not hard to obtain. Pseudo-ephedrine tablets (used for colds and flus), are broken up and put in a mixture of water and a solvent like alcohol, denatured alcohol, or antifreeze. This process takes the pseudo-ephedrine out of the tablet.