Products that feature Delta 8 THC as their main cannabinoid have skyrocketed in sales recently. This is a very enticing item with a lot of demand, and carrying these types of products could greatly increase your bottom line. However, if you are unfamiliar with the intricacies of Delta 8 products, you may be at a disadvantage when consumers begin asking questions. With that in mind, here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about selling Delta 8 to consumers.
Delta 8 THC Is Different from Delta 9 THC
Most of your potential customers have probably heard of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). However, many will not understand that there are different molecules in the THC family of cannabinoids. Two of the most well-known are Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC. Delta 9 is the cannabinoid your customers are likely thinking about when they refer to THC. This is the cannabinoid found in abundance in marijuana plants and the one famous for giving the user the feeling of being high.
Delta 8 THC is molecularly similar to Delta 9 THC. Like its sister molecule, Delta 8 does give the user an intoxicated feeling. However, its molecular structure promotes far less of a psychotropic effect. Users have explained that while Delta 9 THC is more of a head high, Delta 8 THC is more of a good feeling throughout their body. In addition, users report that they are better able to perform mental activities with Delta 8 THC and that they do not experience the side effects like paranoia or anxiousness they’ve felt after using Delta 9 THC.
Delta 8 THC Is Legal on a Federal Level, But Not in Every State
The legality of Delta 8 THC is a question you will get a lot from your customers. As this is a new product, the legal landscape for it is still evolving, but here’s how it stands right now.
The Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (commonly known as The Farm Bill of 2018) made all hemp products legal on a federal level as long as those products:
- Are derived from hemp; and
- Contain less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.
Now, a couple of points to make a note of here. The first is that the language of The Farm Bill specifies Delta 9 THC is the cannabinoid that is restricted. Therefore, it remains a Schedule 1 narcotic and is illegal on a federal level. However, all other cannabinoids, such as CBD and Delta 8 THC, are not restricted and remain federally legal.
The second point to note is that Delta 8 THC is legal on a federal level. This does not mean it’s legal on a state level in every state. When it comes to hemp products, states can follow federal guidelines or adopt their own regulations or laws. Marijuana is a perfect example of this. While it remains federally illegal, most states have legalized it for at least medicinal purposes. So while Delta 8 THC is legal on a federal level, 14 states have made it illegal. We recommend researching your state’s stance on Delta 8 before you attempt to sell it.
So you and your customers need to check with the latest laws in your state before carrying or consuming Delta 8 THC products.
Do Not Make Health Claims Regarding Delta 8 THC
One of the things the U.S. government, payment processors, and others interested in the hemp-product market are concerned about is health claims. Although there is overwhelming evidence that cannabinoids like CBD and Delta 8 THC do have a profound positive impact on one’s health, there is not enough documented scientific evidence to prove these claims. This is due to the relatively recent discoveries of the phytocannabinoids in the cannabis plant and the endocannabinoid system in mammals.
Because of the lack of scientific study, the FDA still considers cannabinoid products like CBD and Delta 8 THC supplements. Until there is enough scientific proof and the FDA officially recognizes the substances as GRAS (generally recognized as safe), it is illegal to make any health claims. This goes for your website and any social media platform you use in conjunction with your business.
The FDA Does Not Regulate Delta 8 THC Products
As we mentioned in the prior section, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate Delta 8 THC products. This means that there is no U.S. governmental oversight on these items. Unfortunately, this means that you are going to run into unscrupulous competitors who:
- Mislabel their products, showing more Delta 8 THC than is actually in the item;
- Make wild and unsubstantiated claims about their products; or
- Carry cheap products that have harmful ingredients.
This is why we at The Hemp Doctor have every item that we sell to our retailers tested by an independent laboratory. It is only through a Certificate of Analysis (COA), produced by a third-party lab, can you know exactly what is in a Delta 8 product and that the label is accurate. So, if a potential client asks you why they should purchase their hemp-derived products from you instead of your competitor, the answer is easy. You can explain to them the importance of independent testing and why they should never purchase Delta 8 from a retailer whose products are not tested or can’t produce a COA for those items. Making sure your products are laboratory tested by your wholesaler is not only a great selling point. It also gives you the peace of mind that you are not unintentionally retailing dangerous products that might harm someone and result in a lawsuit.
Other Sales Points
If you are using a premium wholesaler like The Hemp Doctor, you can make other sales points with your client – other than the all-important fact that we test all of our products through an independent lab.
We also only use American-grown hemp. This is because the USDA regulates hemp farmers in this country. Therefore, American hemp does not contain heavy metals, pesticides, molds, and other toxins you are likely to find in imported hemp.
We only use advanced extraction processes. Cheaper extraction methods may leave residual solvents and hydrocarbons. Therefore, we use only advanced methods that leave no trace of toxins in the final product.
A Delta 8 Wholesaler You Can Trust
If you have any further questions about retailing Delta 8 products, please reach out to us using our wholesale contact form. If you are convinced that we are the wholesale supplier for you, you can apply to be a Hemp Doctor retailer here.
