A new cannabis product called delta-8 is growing in popularity—but also worrying public health experts who say it is potentially dangerous and has already resulted in thousands of accidental poisonings. The drug is also known as delta-8 THC, designating the psychoactive component of marijuana, but is derived from the hemp plant rather than the marijuana plant that produces delta-9 THC. Delta-8’s rise started with the legalization of hemp growing in 2018 and grew once users spread the word that it produces less of a high than its delta-9 cousin and with fewer of the distressing side effects that occur when you get too high such as feeling paranoid and anxious. Delta-8 is also legal in states where cannabis is not, and does not fall under federal regulations outlawing marijuana is delta-9. Yet like so many new and untested cannabis products in the booming market for the drug, experts say delta-8 is unregulated and therefore potentially risky, with studies showing that it can contain contaminants including heavy metals such as lead and mercury, depending on who is producing and selling it. The CDC has issued a health advisory about delta-8, as has the FDA, after receiving more than 100 reports of adverse events including hallucinations, vomiting, tremor, anxiety, dizziness, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In addition, poison control centers handled more than 2,000 calls about delta-8 between 2021 and 2022, many concerning children. Facing a lack of federal regulation, 14 states have banned delta-8—including several states where recreational cannabis is legal, including Colorado and New York. Experts recommend not using delta-8 because there is no way to ensure its safety, and we urge all legal pot states to also ban its sale.
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone Number
Rosenthal Center for AddictIon Studies