Delta 10 vs. Delta 8

Only 8% of U.S. adults say that marijuana should not be legal for any reason, including medical. Despite this overwhelming support, more than a dozen states do not allow cannabis sales. Considerably more, only allow marijuana for medicinal use and require a doctor’s prescription.

Delta-8 and delta-10 THC products offer an alternative to traditional cannabis. Although not available in every state, these chemical compounds create the potential for adults to access the medical and recreational benefits they want from cannabis.

Not surprisingly, the growing popularity of delta-8 and delta-10 has led to new questions. When considering delta-10 vs. delta-8, which version of THC should you choose, and how does the legal market sell to customers?

Is It Legal To Buy Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC?

Delta-10 and delta-8 THC products are legal to sell, buy, and possess in most states. The federal government made them legal when it passed the 2018 Farm Bill. According to the bill’s language, CBD products could not contain more than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Since the bill mentions a specific type of THC, it creates a loophole that legalizes other forms of THC.

Some states have closed that loophole by passing laws that ban delta-8 products. States with delta-8 bans include:

• Alaska
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Montana
• New York
• North Dakota
• Oregon
• Washington

These laws can change anytime, so it’s a good idea for retailers and consumers to check their local regulations before selling or buying delta-8 products.

The legality of delta-10 vs. delta-8 is unclear. Delta-10 products came to the market more recently than delta-8, so many states have not had an opportunity to address the issue. However, some legislators have written laws banning any form of intoxicating THC. The legality of those bans remains in limbo as courts interpret the laws.

The uncertain legality of hemp and cannabis products often makes it challenging for retailers to find affordable credit card payment processors. Bankcard provides secure credit card processing for high-risk industries. You can even use Bankcard to process online payments.

What Is the Difference Between Delta-10 and Delta-8?

Delta-10 and delta-8 are tetrahydrocannabinol with slightly different chemical structures. They both come from the hemp plant, and they both bind to the same receptors in your endocannabinoid system to create similar feelings. Delta-10 and delta-8 even have the same molecular formula, C21H30O2. 

The biggest difference is that delta-10 THC has a double bond on the tenth carbon ring and delta-8 has a double bond on the eighth carbon ring. Unless you have a background in chemistry, this subtle difference probably doesn’t matter much to you.

Does Delta-10 THC Get You Higher Than Delta-8?

“High” is a subjective experience that’s difficult to define. 

With that said, anecdotal evidence suggests that delta-8 THC is about half as potent as delta-9, and delta-10 is about 25% less powerful than delta-8.

It’s worth noting that cannabis and hemp products can vary significantly depending on the strain, chemical makeup, and extraction method. 

One study shows that some cannabis strains tend to affect the perception of time more than others. People who consumed Sativa strains, which tend to have high concentrations of THC and low concentrations of CBD, overestimated the amount of time that passed. For example, they would feel that a 10-minute period had only lasted 5 minutes.

Those who consumed Indica strains, which usually have low concentrations of THC and high concentrations of CBD, had the opposite experience. They underestimated the amount of time that passed. They might feel that a 5-minute period had lasted 10 minutes.

Interestingly, frequent cannabis consumers did not experience significant shifts in time perception. 

These results suggest that THC and other chemicals found in hemp and cannabis plants have a broad range of effects on users. When comparing delta-10 vs. delta-8, most people will choose delta-8 as the stronger chemical. Some consumers might not have the same experience, though. 

Where Do Delta-10 and Delta-8 Come From?

Hemp and cannabis plants contain small amounts of delta-8 and delta-10 THC. The plants naturally contain more than 100 cannabidiols, few of which have been researched. Most commercial products get their delta-8 and delta-10 from CBD extracted from hemp plants. After extracting CBD from hemp, chemists use a process called isomerization to alter the chemical structure from CBD to delta-10 THC or delta-8 THC. 

It’s also possible to alter delta-9 THC into delta-8 and delta-10. That approach doesn’t make as much financial sense, though, because high-THC marijuana costs significantly more than low-THC hemp.

Since delta-8 and delta-10 come from hemp, retail stores and e-commerce shops need merchant accounts for credit cards and other payment processing options. Bankcard has CBD and hemp merchant accounts with transparent pricing, quick approvals, and 24/7 support. 

What Challenges Can Retailers Expect Selling Delta-10 vs. Delta-8?

Retailers can expect similar challenges when selling delta-10 and delta-8 products. The CBD industry already faces challenges such as:

• Tight regulations that rely on federal and state approval.
• The public perception is that delta-8 and delta-10 products are illegal or unsafe.
• Regulations prevent companies from advertising products in some spaces, such as billboards and websites used by minors.
• Finding banks willing to work with CBD and hemp companies.
• Processing in-store and online payments without paying outrageous fees for high-risk merchant accounts.

Bankcard can help you process payments without paying high fees. Choosing the right merchant services provider can make it easier for your business to process payments and avoid fees that add to your overhead costs.

Common Questions About Delta-8 and Delta-10

How Do You Consume Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC?

The hemp industry has developed several ways for people to consume delta-10 and delta-8 THC products. Popular options include:

• Gummies
• Flowers
• Vape cartridges
• Vape pens
• Tinctures
• Oils

Can You Ship Delta-8 and Delta-10 Products to Customers?

Companies that sell delta-10 and delta-8 products online should consult with legal experts before shipping to consumers in other states. You will likely find that you should not ship to consumers in states that ban delta-10 and delta-8 sales. The legal landscape is murky on this point, so it’s safer to err on the side of caution.

Regardless of where you ship products, you will need a high-risk merchant account. Bankcard offers credit card payment processing and chargeback management services that help keep your merchant account costs as low as possible.

Is Delta-8 or Delta-10 Better?

People can argue about the merits of delta-10 vs. delta-8, but the answer depends on personal preference. Consumers seeking an experience similar to using traditional cannabis should probably choose delta-8, although they should expect a less intense “high.” Delta-10 has an even milder effect that will appeal to some people, such as those who want pain relief with as little inebriation as possible.

Will Delta-10 Make You Fail a Drug Test?

Delta-10 THC is similar enough to the delta-9 THC commonly found in cannabis that it can make you fail a standard drug test. If you might need to take a drug test soon, you should probably avoid all THC products, including those made with delta-8 and delta-10.

How Long Do Delta-8 and Delta-10 Stay in Your System?

Many factors can influence how long delta-8 and delta-10 stay in your system, including your metabolism, body weight, how frequently you use THC products, and the amount you take. For infrequent users with fast metabolisms, THC might only stay in their systems for about three days. However, THC can stay in a daily user’s system for 30 days or longer.

Scientists haven’t studied how long delta-8 vs. delta-10 will stay in your system, so the differences are unknown. You can stay on the safe side by treating all THC products like you would treat regular delta-9 THC.

Are Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC Dangerous?

As with any chemical, there are pros and cons to using delta-10 and delta-8. Like delta-9 THC, delta-10 and delta-8 have a very low potential for physical addiction. Frequent consumers could develop psychological dependencies, though.

Overall, cannabis and its chemical compounds are relatively safe compared to most recreational drugs. That relative safety can change when companies use reckless extraction processes or add other chemicals to their delta-8 and delta-10 products. If a hemp product contains contaminants, it becomes less safe to use.

When choosing delta-8 and delta-10 products, look for options:

• Made in sterile environments.
• With as few added chemicals as possible.
• That includes lab reports showing what chemicals they contain.

Users should also pay close attention to how much delta-8 and delta-10 they consume. Don’t assume that you can take large amounts of delta-10 just because it has a lower potency than the delta-9 THC found in cannabis.

How Can Consumers Make Delta-8 and Delta-10 Safer?

Consumers who choose to take delta-8 and delta-10 products can make their experiences safer by:

• Using products from reliable companies that provide lab reports.
• Reading unbiased reviews to choose high-quality products.
• Starting with low dosages to determine how they will react to the product.
• Give edibles at least an hour to reach their full effects before choosing to consume more.
• Understanding the possible side effects of taking the drugs, such as anxiety, racing heart, and nausea.
• Creating a calm environment to decrease the intensity of unwanted side effects.
• Having a sober friend near to monitor your behavior and safety.

The majority of people find that these alternatives to delta-9 THC give them enjoyable experiences without exposing them to significant health risks. That doesn’t mean risks don’t exist. Remember that all drugs can have negative consequences, and make decisions based on your risk tolerance.

Where Can You Buy and Sell Delta-10 and Delta-8 Products?

You need to consider several factors before buying or selling THC products. Primarily, you should ensure that delta-8 and delta-10 products are legal in your state. You should also talk to a legal expert to determine whether you can ship delta-10 and delta-8 products across state lines.

Buyers and sellers might also encounter challenges when trying to process payments. Many payment processors and eCommerce platforms do not support THC products, including those that contain delta-8 and delta-10 THC. For example, Shopify explicitly states that hemp products cannot contain “more than 0.3% THC, regardless of the compound type, such as delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10.”

Etsy takes an even more restrictive approach that does not let vendors sell any hemp products, including CBD oils with less than 0.3% THC.

Payment processors like Stripe and PayPal have similar restrictions that can prevent brick-and-mortar and online stores from selling hemp products to customers. Bankcard gives you access to reliable payment processing for CBD and legal THC products, so you can start collecting money from customers and growing your brand without unnecessary barriers.

Bankcard Has the Merchant Account Services You Need

Bankcard offers merchant account services that make it possible for businesses to sell delta-8 and delta-10 products without paying high processing fees. High-risk merchant services from Bankcard include:

• High-risk e-commerce credit card payment processing.
• High-risk eCheck processing.
• Secure payment gateways that lower the risk of chargebacks.
• Cryptocurrency payment gateway.

With Bankcard, you get transparent pricing that makes it easier for you to project costs and adjust your prices to remain profitable. You also gain access to a secure payment gateway that ensures customers have the funds needed to pay for their orders.

Do you want to offer your customers safer, more diverse payment options when they buy delta-8 or delta-10 products? Connect with Bankcard to learn more.