The D8 paradox

Our CBD store has been open for about two and a half years, and it’s been almost a year since we added Delta 8 THC to the offerings.

There seems to be a paradox emerging.

As Delta 8 becomes more and more popular, new articles are being published almost every day.

Some of these articles explore the benefits people are experiencing, but many of them discuss controversies over legality, safety, and regulation.

The Delta 8 THC molecule is an isomer to Delta 9 THC, meaning it’s very similar. While Delta 9 is legal in most states, it’s not federally legal and not legal in North Carolina.

Delta 8 is legal in North Carolina because it is derived from CBD that is extracted from a plant that's legal: hemp plants that contain less than .3% Delta 9.

So you could say that it’s almost like a workaround such that its legality is based on a technicality, whereas the psychoactive effect is similar to Delta 9, the cannabinoid found in marijuana, which is illegal.

If you’re confused, imagine the challenges lawmakers are having.

Nine states have passed laws making Delta 8 illegal — mostly in states that regulate Delta 9 and impose state taxes that have benefited the people in those states.

Delta 8 can be sold in stores other than dispensaries and therefore intrudes on that business while not contributing as much to the state’s tax revenues. Thus, several states that have legal marijuana have a higher level of understanding of cannabis in general and have scrambled to make D8 illegal.

D8 is new to the scene, so there is little research indicating beneficial uses. More research is needed for all cannabinoid health benefits — but there’s a lot more available for CBD and Delta 9 THC than for Delta 8.

Because it can be sold anywhere and works so well in edibles, there have been a few instances of people using too much and having bad experiences. This is rare, but it’s made a headline or two.

That’s why we’re careful to advise all our customers to respect its potency and start low and go slow, understanding that while it’s not toxic, it's also not wise to take edibles too frequently. They take hours to reach maximum effect -- so always wait two or three hours before taking another.

What gets lost in the novelty and controversy is the extraordinary medical benefits this cannabinoid seems to offer.

The evidence is not scientific, it’s anecdotal. But as more and more people use it, clear patterns emerge. We hear it every day in our store and elsewhere.

Delta 8 THC appears to be extremely effective for depression and anxiety, without some of the paranoia and anxiety that can result from too much Delta 9.

Like CBD, and Delta 9 THC, it also seems to be great for pain management.

And then there’s sleep. Our customers tell us every day that Delta 8 helps them get a good night’s sleep.

We predict that one day there will be studies that show what people now say — and that these results will be widely known and accepted.

That day is not here yet. So we’ll wait and see. Meanwhile, we’re living in a time of discovery and flux.

On one hand, people fear the unknown. D8, while being natural to the cannabis plant, is fairly new as a consumer product.

On the other hand, it appears to offer remarkable benefits for people dealing with pain, anxiety, depression, and sleep issues.

Thus, the D8 paradox.

If you’re getting this email, you’re a member of the Chllax Club and get 15% off any purchase.

PhenomWell is open 11-6:30, Monday through Friday — and 11-5 on Saturday. If you prefer to shop online, you can choose to pick-up, get free local delivery, or free shipping. If you’d like to order by phone, call ‭(980) 330-3073‬. If you order online, use the discount code chill for 15% off.

If you like Tik Tok, we've got a jingle for the store that's available for lip syncing. If you'd like to use this sound and tag the store's Tik Tok, we'd be delighted to thank you with a special treat.

It would mean the world to us if you could write a review on Google. Just click here to do that.

[ec_categories groupid="0"]