As one of the first states to legalize medical and recreational marijuana, You may be wondering if Delta-8 THC is legal in Colorado.
With its relaxed attitude towards cannabis, you may be surprised to discover that the “cousin” of THC, Delta-8 THC, is illegal in Colorado.
Delta-8 THC, sometimes referred to by the nicknames “Diet Weed” or “Weed Lite,” is a relaxing cannabinoid that is less potent than Delta-9 THC (the cannabinoid in marijuana that gets you high).
Delta-8 THC is federally legal and far less potent than Delta-9 THC, so why would Colorado ban the production, sale, and consumption of Delta-8 THC?
Check out our guide to Delta-8 THC in Colorado for all the information you need on its legality in the Centennial State.
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Colorado’s Marijuana Laws
In 2000, Colorado legalized cannabis for medical use. Twelve years later, in 2012, Colorado legalized the recreational use of cannabis.
Colorado residents can possess up to two ounces of marijuana at a time. They can also cultivate up to six cannabis plants.
With relaxed laws like these, it’s surprising that the Delta-8 THC cannabinoid is illegal.
Let’s take a look at the reasons why Colorado made Delta-8 THC illegal.
Delta-8 THC and the Federal Government
The 2018 Farm Bill is the reason for the rising popularity of hemp-derived products.
In 2018, former President Donald Trump signed the Farm Bill, which allowed for the transportation of hemp-derived products across state lines.
These products could not contain more than 0.3% of the psychoactive cannabinoid Delta-9 THC.
Residents of any age could purchase and use hemp-derived CBD products.
This meant that Delta-8 THC was federally legal across the United States, even where medical and recreational marijuana was illegal.
Labs and dispensaries discovered that they could synthesize other cannabinoids from hemp-derived CBD products. Delta-8 THC, a rare cannabinoid of the cannabis sativa plant, is one of these cannabinoids.
So why is Delta-8 THC illegal in Colorado?
Is Delta-8 THC legal in Colorado?
Delta-8 THC provides a focused, alert high that is less potent than Delta-9 THC.
Despite the 2018 Farm Bill’s federal legalization of Delta-8 THC, the state of Colorado introduces legislation to ban Delta-8 THC.
Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) sent out a letter to dispensaries in May of 2021.
This letter showed that the Colorado government is distrustful of Delta-8 THC products because of the process used to extract them.
Colorado’s government prohibited any process that converts industrial hemp products into other cannabinoids.
It is very easy for labs to synthesize cannabinoids by converting them from CBD.
The state of Colorado banned Delta-8 THC and other cannabinoids, like Delta-9 THC, because of the chemicals involved in the conversion process.
The Differences between Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC
Every human body contains an endocannabinoid system, regardless of whether they consume cannabis products.
A cannabinoid is a chemical compound that influences the endocannabinoid system to produce reactions related to homeostasis. Cannabinoids can be produced by plants, made by the human body, or synthesized in a laboratory.
Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC are isomers of THC cannabinoids. They share a similar double-bonded structure, which makes them psychoactive, but they bind with receptors of the endocannabinoid system differently.
Delta-9 THC is the most common cannabinoid of the cannabis sativa plant. Because it is psychoactive, you feel a “high” sensation when you consume it.
Delta-8 THC is a great choice for people who do not want to experience the anxiety or paranoia that sometimes accompanies the high of Delta-9 THC.
What is Delta-10 THC?
Just like Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC is illegal to buy, sell, or consume in Colorado.
Delta-10 THC is easy to synthesize in a lab from hemp-derived CBD products.
Similar to Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC is an isomer of Delta-9 THC.
Users of Delta-10 THC report feeling energized and invigorated, while users of Delta-8 THC describe it as relaxing and calming.
What does Delta-8 THC feel like?
Delta-8 THC is an excellent choice for people interested in cannabis for holistic wellness.
Since Delta-8 THC has less potent psychoactive properties than Delta-9 THC, it is a great choice for people who don’t want to feel anxious or paranoid.
Consuming Delta-8 THC in smaller doses will remind you of the properties of CBD. You can expect to feel relaxed and focused. Consuming Delta-8 THC in higher doses will remind you of the properties of Delta-9 THC, so expect to feel introspective and reflective.
Each person’s endocannabinoid system is unique, so you should experiment with doses, strains, and consumption methods to see what you like best.
How to use Delta-8 THC
Delta-8 THC can be used just like other cannabis products.
There are a multitude of ways to consume Delta-8 THC.
If you want long-lasting effects, try Delta-8 THC edibles like candies, mints, or gummies.
If you want to feel the effects of Delta-8 THC quickly, try vape cartridges or Delta-8 THC infused hemp flower. You can even find Delta-8 THC in a dab, wax, and pre-roll forms. Inhalables work quickly, so they are easy to dose.
If you are looking for fast, long-lasting effects, sublingual tinctures are the way to go. By placing drops of Delta-8 THC under your tongue, you can quickly absorb Delta-8 THC. You can also put tinctures in your food or beverages for a fun, infused treat.
Remember, Delta-8 THC is illegal in Colorado, so consume responsibly.
Can I buy Delta-8 THC in Colorado?
Since Delta-8 THC is illegal to buy, sell, or consume in Colorado, it will be inaccessible to you while you’re there. Even if you have a medical marijuana card, Delta-8 THC is off-limits to you in Colorado.
If you live in a state where Delta-8 THC is illegal, we recommend buying Delta-8 THC products online.
There are many benefits of ordering Delta-8 THC on the web:
- Convenient, easy shopping
- Better sales and pricing
- Larger selection of products
- Higher-quality, fresher products
- Customer reviews are available
It’s important to do your research before buying Delta-8 THC products online. You don’t want to buy low-quality, unsafe Delta-8 THC products.
Don’t buy from companies with negative reviews. Be sure that the Delta-8 THC product is grown from organic industrial hemp.
Before purchasing a Delta-8 THC product, we recommend checking for the product’s certificates of analysis (COA). Some companies also display the laboratory test results of their products. By reviewing these tests, you can be sure that your Delta-8 THC is free from toxic residues, pathogenic microbes, or residual solvents.
Additionally, make sure the potency of the product is listed on its packaging. With any new cannabis product, you should start “low and slow.” Without the product’s potency stated on the packaging, you run the risk of having a bad experience with Delta-8 THC.
It’s important to research the companies you buy Delta-8 THC products from.
The Future of Delta-8 THC in Colorado
The future of Delta-8 THC in Colorado is uncertain. Despite the state’s early adoption of medical and recreational marijuana, Colorado’s government is opposed to the methods used to produce Delta-8 THC.
While the federal government legalized Delta-8 THC through the 2018 Farm Bill, states have the option to prohibit the cannabinoid. Colorado chose to prohibit Delta-8 THC because of the chemical process used to synthesize Delta-8 THC from hemp-derived CBD.
Plan on trying Delta-8 THC when you visit nearby states like New Mexico or California.
If you are interested in trying Delta-8 THC, please consume it responsibly. While Delta-8 THC is illegal for use in Colorado, you can still freely enjoy Delta-9 THC products.
We will have to see what the future holds for cannabinoids like Delta-8 THC in Colorado.
