Where Does Delta 8 Come From?

A few years ago, delta 8 soared in popularity almost overnight.  It went from a cannabinoid only known to chemists and those in the cannabis industry, to a widespread phenomenon.  Suddenly, delta 8 became a frequent feature in the news, a common good found anywhere from gas stations to head shops, and a hot topic of conversation.  As popular as delta 8 is, there are still a lot of mystery surrounding this cannabinoid.  What exactly is delta 8?  Why did it gain popularity so suddenly?  And where does delta 8 come from?  Read on to find out.

In the meantime, you can snag some delta 8 of your own with our selection of blunts and prerolls.

What is delta 8?

Believe it or not, delta 8 is not some type of recent invention.  The cannabinoid was initially discovered in the 1940s by American chemist Roger Adams.  As we know, the legislation and attitudes surrounding cannabis were very different at that time than they are today.  While discoveries were being made, they unfortunately wouldn’t become mainstream for many more decades.  

Delta 8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in cannabis.  However, unlike its cousin, delta 9, delta 8 only occurs in extremely small quantities.  It truly didn’t make a lot of sense to focus on something that was only found in trace amounts.  This changed when, in 2002, Israeli chemist Raphael Mechoulam filed for a patent for his process of isomerization.  Through isomerization, CBD can be converted to delta 8.

Why now?

If delta 8 was discovered in the 40’s, and made more accessible in the 2000s, then why has it only become popular recently?  You may remember that the same thing happened to CBD.  This boom in popularity for both cannabinoids was due to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.  This bill legalized hemp on a federal level.  Legally, hemp is defined as cannabis containing .3% or less of delta 9 THC by dry weight.  

After the Farm Bill’s passing, CBD became the hot new product everywhere, and was boasted to alleviate a whole slew of symptoms.  Everyone wanted a piece of the CBD market, and, as a result, there became an abundance of CBD.  More than could be sold.  Since there was so much CBD, chemists figured out pretty quickly that they could use this CBD to make other cannabinoids.  And, since these cannabinoids were derived from hemp, they were technically legal on a federal level.  Delta 8 is among many cannabinoids that have boomed in popularity as a result of all this.

Where does today’s delta 8 come from?

Today’s delta 8 comes from hemp-derived CBD.  The CBD undergoes the process of isomerization.  Isomerization rearranges the molecules in the CBD by forming double bonds.  This process is safe when done by professionals.  It requires the use of metal catalysts and acidic conditions to shift the double bonds, and rearrange its structure.  

The importance of lab testing

As I mentioned above, the process of converting CBD to delta 8 is perfectly safe, when handled by professionals.  However, lab testing is absolutely essential to ensure that there are no leftover byproducts from the conversion process.  It’s also a vital step in guaranteeing that the cannabinoid content advertised is accurate.  Here at DVNT, we share our lab test results for every product on our site.  You deserve to shop with confidence, and to know what is (and isn’t) in the delta 8 products you’re consuming.

The bottom line

Where does delta 8 come from?  Originally, delta 8 comes from cannabis, in trace amounts that often go unnoticed by consumers.  Today, the delta 8 on the market is derived from CBD.  This is done through a process known as isomerization.  While the process is safe, it is absolutely essential that you only shop from trusted, lab tested products.  Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, delta 8 and other cannabinoids are having their much-awaited moment in the limelight.  While they’ve been around for decades, they’ve only become popular recently.  

Where does your delta 8 come from?  You can count on us here at DVNT to deliver quality, lab tested delta 8 straight to your door.  Check out our site for the ultimate convenience, and products you can depend on.