Is Delta-8 Legal in Oklahoma?

What Is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid produced from hemp, which interacts with the body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS) to produce psychotropic effects. It is an isomer of Delta-9 THC and can be synthesized from CBD extracted from industrial hemp. Isomers refer to chemical compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements. Delta-8 can be found naturally in cannabis (hemp and marijuana plants). However, it is typically extracted from hemp plants, making it legal under federal law.

Delta-8 THC heightens sensory awareness and influences perceptions but may also delay response time and impair coordination. This implies that a person may have difficulty synchronizing their motions, which might be risky when driving or engaging in other tasks requiring good motor skills. Although people react differently to THC, some individuals may be more sensitive to its cognitive effects. Common side effects of Delta-8 THC include dizziness, nausea, and dry mouth.

Is Delta-8 Legal in Oklahoma?

Yes. Delta-8 THC is legal in Oklahoma. The state legislature passed SB 1033 in 2021, which explicitly removed Delta-8 from the definition of marijuana in Oklahoma. SB 1033 is based on the federal 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the cultivation and consumption of hemp and its derivatives in the United States. Under SB 1033, all hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC are legal in the state. Note that Delta-8 THC is primarily sourced from hemp plants.

Delta-8 vs Delta-9

While Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC have many similarities, the main distinctions are how they are derived and classified. Hemp is generally defined as Cannabis sativa plants with Delta-9 THC levels less than 0.3% under the 2018 Farm Bill. Delta-8 THC is present in trace amounts in hemp plant flowers, and extracting enough raw plant material to obtain significant amounts of Delta-8 would require too much time and resources. Hemp growers instead rely on processors to convert CBD to Delta-8 THC. On the other hand, Delta-9 THC occurs naturally in abundant quantities in the marijuana plant and is easy to extract.

The only difference in the chemical structure of Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC is the location of a specific double bond on the carbon atom chain. Delta-8's molecular structure has a double bond on the eighth carbon atom, whereas Delta-9 contains a double bond on the ninth carbon atom. This slight structural difference is responsible for the different psychoactive profiles of these THC isomers.

Delta-9 THC is the cannabinoid contained in marijuana that is associated with a euphoric high, and is generally referred to as "THC". It binds to CB-1 receptors in the brain, resulting in strong psychoactive effects such as relaxation, elation, and laughter. Delta-8 THC has milder psychoactive effects, which are significantly less impactful than Delta-9 THC. Even then, Delta-8 THC has a number of therapeutic benefits, such as reducing inflammation and anxiety as well as providing relief from insomnia and chronic pain.

Delta-8 vs Delta-10

Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC are analogs of Delta-9 THC and members of the "tetrahydrocannabinol" family. Depending on the dose taken, Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC may provide a mild-to-moderate "high". However, Delta-10 THC produces a much milder high than Delta-8 THC, making it ideal for first-time cannabis users seeking subtle cannabis-induced euphoria. Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC have the same effect on the endocannabinoid system and bind to the same receptors as Delta-9 THC. However, they have less affinity for cannabis receptors than Delta-9, resulting in a milder but no less pleasurable high with fewer side effects.

While the molecular structures of Delta-8 THC and Delta-10 THC are identical, there is one significant variation. Delta-8 has its double bond on its eighth carbon atom, while Delta-10 has one on its tenth carbon atom. Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC occur naturally in cannabis plants in small amounts. These low concentration levels make it difficult for manufacturers that want to make Delta-8 and Delta-10 products. To get around this limitation, manufacturers use structural isomerization techniques to chemically synthesize Delta-8 and Delta-10 from CBD or Delta-9.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that a Delta-8 high increases attention span and improves focus and mood, while also making users feel calm and relaxed. Delta-10, on the other hand, induces a stimulating "head buzz" comparable to the effects of a few alcoholic drinks.

How Long Does Delta-8 Stay in the Body?

The period over which Delta-8 or its metabolites remain in the body depends on a number of factors. If you take a small dose of Delta-8 and do not use it regularly, the drug usually clears from your system in three days or less. In cases of heavy or chronic uses, it may take at least 30 days for Delta-8 THC to be removed entirely from your body. The amount of time Delta-8 stays in the body is determined by many factors, such as:

• Use frequency: The more regularly you use Delta-8, the longer it stays in your body
• Age: Older persons tend to break down compounds more slowly. Therefore, Delta-8 THC metabolites may remain longer in the bodies of elderly persons than younger individuals
• Consumption method: Inhaled Delta-8 products last the longest in the human body. Hence, if you regularly take vaporized Delta-8 products, you will need longer to clear THC metabolites from your body
• Metabolism: Some individuals process drugs faster than others. If you have a high metabolic rate, Delta-8 metabolites will be eliminated from your body quicker

Does Delta-8 Show Up on a Drug Test?

Delta-8 will show up on a drug test if you have not allowed enough time to pass for all trace amounts of THC metabolites to leave your body. Most drug tests are not designed to specifically detect Delta-8 THC but made to find THC and its metabolites. Delta-8 THC is converted to THC metabolites by the liver, which urine tests may pick up. Other tests that may be used to detect Delta-8 in the body include blood, saliva, and hair tests.

Delta-8 THC may be detected in a user's hair sample for up to 90 days following consumption. Saliva tests are often used to detect recent THC consumption. Still, a saliva test may identify Delta-8 THC in the consumer's oral fluid (saliva) for up to 72 hours after consumption. Depending on strength and frequency of THC use, a urine test may reveal Delta-8 THC consumption between 3 and 30 days after use. A blood test may also identify Delta-8 THC consumption within the last 12 hours.

Where to Buy Delta-8 in Oklahoma

Oklahomans, aged 21 or older, may purchase Delta-8 products from hemp shops, convenience stores, and online stores. Commonly purchased Delta-8 products at these locations include gummies, tinctures, and vape cartridges. Online stores typically have a greater selection of these products, better pricing, and seasonal discounts. It is also possible to order and have Delta-8 products shipped from other states where Delta-8 products are legal.