If you’re just learning about Delta 8 THC, you probably have many questions. Delta 8 THC has been a buzzword in the hemp industry since 2020, and many people are still unaware of it. There are concerns about whether it’s the latest man-made marijuana, leading to questions about its synthetic or natural origin.
Delta 8 is not a synthesized cannabinoid; rather, it is naturally found in hemp plants. The production process for Delta 8 THC is simple and has been used to extract other cannabinoids naturally from hemp for many years.
Naturally Grown Delta-8 THC
Delta 8 THC occurs in small amounts in hemp plants compared to other cannabinoids. Hemp farmers spend years cultivating and breeding hemp plants to express specific cannabinoids. While these farmers mainly focus on Delta 9 THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids, the breeding of cannabis plants for higher Delta 8 THC content has been limited until recent times.
Today’s market makes it easy to find hemp with high levels of Delta 9 THC or CBD, but Delta 8 THC remains a different story. Due to growing consumer interest in this cannabinoid, more hemp farmers are directing their efforts towards Delta 8 THC. However, these plants are relatively young, and their genetics remain somewhat mysterious. As a result, many breeders have not yet found a solution for obtaining raw hemp with high Delta 8 content.
Where Does Delta 8 THC Come From?
The hemp market’s rapid expansion isn’t limited to states allowing medical or recreational marijuana; hemp farms are now present in places like Oklahoma, Kentucky, and even Texas.
Acquiring hemp for cannabinoid extraction has never been easier, and many extraction labs are catering to the growing hemp industry. These labs originally focused on extracting CBD from hemp plants, but they have since developed the technology to extract other cannabinoids.
We have identified the optimal environment for Delta 8 THC by collaborating with professional hemp farms and extraction companies.
Who Extracts Delta 8 THC?
The ability to extract Delta 8 THC is thanks to the extensive infrastructure built around hemp cultivation and extraction. Due to the naturally low content of Delta 8 THC in hemp, labs can extract more than just Delta 8 THC from the plant. These labs utilize complex machinery to isolate individual cannabinoids while preserving others.
Many labs that extract Delta 8 THC can also extract CBD from the plant, allowing them to maximize the plant’s potential.
How is Delta 8 THC Extracted?
These laboratories use CO2 (carbon dioxide) to chemically break down the plant. CO2, known as a “solvent,” has significantly benefited the cannabis industry, unlike the previous solvent, butane, which posed several issues.
CO2 is an environmentally friendly solvent that evaporates completely after the extraction process. In contrast, butane leaves a residue that could be harmful for extract users. Butane’s flammability also posed safety risks during extraction, resulting in some facilities catching fire.
By utilizing sophisticated machinery, chemists can isolate compounds through controlled heating, cooling, and pressure application. These machines have separate chambers for different chemical reactions and are calibrated to extract the desired cannabinoid.
In this regard, extracting Delta 8 THC is similar to other cannabinoids from hemp. Once the machine is calibrated for Delta 8 THC extraction, raw hemp undergoes the process and emerges with pure Delta 8 THC.
This article was written by a cannabinoid specialist at DRIP Cannabinoids. DRIP Cannabinoids joined the market in June 2020. We quickly established our mission: providing customers with the purest oil on the market, and in tandem providing a premium product. Our products range from delta 8 oil, delta 8 pre-rolls, delta 8 CBD gummies, and delta 8 softgels. Through each and every one of our products, DRIP strives to relieve people from the discomfort, stress, and anxiety of daily life by giving them access to cutting-edge cannabinoids such as Delta-10 and Delta-8 THC. DRIP’s formulas and procedures are all designed with the purity and safety of the customer in mind.