Delta 8 THC gummies are getting a lot of attention from cannabis aficionados. After succeeding with CBD gummies, cannabis companies have introduced a new(ish) kid on the block, one that gets you slightly buzzed but without the anxiety associated with higher doses of regular weed.
Delta 8 THC is legal on a federal level, offers a smoother psychoactive experience, and you can infuse it into the same delicious gummy base as CBD gummies.
As an analog of delta 9, delta 8 THC has a similar chemical makeup, but a subtle difference in the arrangement of their atomic bonds makes delta 8 about half as potent.
The lack of the above side effects makes it a safer alternative to high-THC cannabis. But how do you choose a high-quality product in the sea of mediocre and poor-quality vendors?
Since the market is unregulated, it’s the consumer’s responsibility to research their potential vendors.
In this article, we’ve done the hard work for you.
Continue reading to learn about the best delta 8 THC brands in this space — and how to avoid sketchy vendors.
Best Delta 8 THC Gummies (Top Picks for 2022)
- Area52 Gummies – Best Delta 8 THC Gummies Overall
- Finest Labs Gummies – Best Delta 8 THC Gummies for Beginners
- 3Chi Gummies – Most Potent Delta 8 THC Gummies
1. Area52 Delta 8 THC Gummies
Area52 has quickly become one of the most reputable companies in the delta 8 THC market, recently awarded by the popular media outlet New York Observer. The company specializes in delta 8 THC distillates sourced from organic hemp and sold in different forms, such as tinctures, vape carts, and gummies.
The Area52 delta 8 THC gummies are very potent, packing 25 mg of delta 8 THC in each sweet-and-sour cube. These gummies are available in three assorted flavors: Green Apple, Strawberry, and Pineapple.
When it comes to these gummies, a little goes a long way. Most people take 1–2 gummies throughout the day for a moderate buzz; lightweight users also report that they’re good after 1 gummy, so Area52 may be the best choice if you’re looking for affordable delta 8 THC gummies.
Another great thing about this company is that it doesn’t use artificial flavorings and colorings in the gummies. They have a great natural taste — just like the childhood memories with a nice hint of adulthood.
2. Finest Labs Delta 8 THC Gummies
Finest Labs offers the best delta 8 THC gummies for beginners. These products come with a modest but convenient dose of 25 mg of broad-spectrum delta 8 THC and strain-specific terpenes (Blueberry). The effects are better suited for microdoses in regular amounts. You’d need to take a few more gummies to experience the same intensity of effects as with Area52, so if you’re a heavyweight user.
3. 3Chi Delta 8 THC Gummies
3Chi is one of the first companies that have entered the delta 8 THC market. The brand offers a broad range of products, including tinctures, vapes, gummies, flowers, and moon rocks.
The 3Chi gummies are available in a black raspberry flavor. You can choose between two variants: pure delta 8 THC distillate and a blend of delta 8 THC and CBN. Both options carry 30 gummies, each containing 25 mg of delta 8 THC.
Much as we appreciate the company’s transparency, we couldn’t find any details about the source of their hemp. If you’re looking for a 100% transparent manufacturer, we suggest that you go with the two above brands.
What Are Delta 8 THC Gummies?
Delta 8 THC gummies are much like regular weed gummies, except for the main active compound.
There are different versions of the THC molecule. The one that you consume with marijuana is known as delta 9 THC.
But, delta 9 has a close cousin that has similar health benefits but is less trippy.
Ever heard of delta 8 THC?
This cannabinoid has an almost identical chemical structure — but with a minor difference in the arrangement of its atomic bonds.
Delta 8 THC has a double bond at the 8th carbon chain, whereas delta 9 THC has this bond at the 8th chain.
Delta 8 THC gummies contain the same delicious gummy base as CBD gummies and delta 9 THC gummies — which makes this format particularly appealing for those who dislike the hempy flavor of tinctures and the harsh experience caused by vaping.
There are also other benefits to taking delta 8 THC gummies, such as ease of dosing and a longer shelf-life than another delta 8 THC extracts.
What Does Delta 8 THC Feel Like?
As an analog of delta 9, delta 8 THC is about half as potent. You’d need to consume twice the amount of delta 8 THC to experience the same intensity of effects as when you take regular weed gummies.
Delta 9 THC is known to trigger anxiety and paranoia in higher doses. If your cannabinoid receptors in the brain are particularly sensitive to the psychoactive properties of delta 9, you may experience short-term mental discomfort.
This is why many people choose to avoid high-THC cannabis strains.
Now they have an alternative.
Delta 8 THC Dosage: How Much Should I Take?
People take between 10 and 60 milligrams of delta 8 THC depending on the goals they’re seeking to achieve.
As we said, delta 9 THC is twice less potent than delta 9, so you can double your regular dose if you want to experience the same type of high.
Lower doses work better for stress relief, motivation, focus, and mood elevation. You can achieve this with gummies that contain 10 mg of delta 8 THC per piece.
From there, you can add 10 mg of delta 8 THC at a time to test your tolerance. Just make sure you don’t go overboard with delta 8 gummies; you can always take more, but you can’t take any away when you get too buzzed.
Although delta 8 THC is less likely to cause anxiety and paranoia, it can still make you feel fatigued, confused, and sedated when overconsumed.
How to Find the Right Dose of Delta 8 THC Gummies?
The major advantage of delta 8 THC gummies is that they offer a fixed amount of delta 8 per serving.
Knowing how much delta 8 THC is in one gummy, you can estimate the right dosage by using your weight and the desired intensity of effects. If you’re looking for mild cognitive stimulation, 10 mg administered twice a day should help you achieve these results. For stronger effects, higher doses — upwards of 20 mg — are more appropriate.
If you’re into micro-dosing and your gummy contains 10 mg of delta 8 THC, you can cut it into halves or quarters, splitting the dosage throughout the day.
It’s best to start low and go slow until you find a satisfying dose. Increments like 5–10 mg are best suited for beginners.
Are Delta 8 THC Gummies Safe?
Yes, delta 8 THC is generally considered safe; scientists haven’t yet found any toxic effect of delta 8 THC consumption. It’s impossible to fatally overdose on delta 8 THC — which is the case for all other cannabinoids.
However, despite a good safety profile, delta 8 THC can still cause a few side effects when you take too much.
Potential Side Effects of Delta 8 THC Gummies
- Dry mouth
- Dry, red eyes
- Confusion
- Sedation
- Difficulty concentrating
Still, it’s not delta 8 THC that should be your main concern. The primary dangers to watch out for in delta 8 THC gummies are contaminants and other dangerous additives.
Things that Can Make Delta 8 THC Gummies Dangerous
Here’s why buying delta 8 THC gummies from an uncertified source can be risky:
Contaminants in Delta 8 THC
Unlike CBD and delta 9 THC, delta 8 isn’t naturally synthesized by cannabis plants. It results from delta 9 THC’s degradation. Delta 9 breaks down into CBN over time, and only a very small amount is converted into the delta 8 analogs.
Hemp and marijuana contain only trace amounts of delta 8 THC — insufficient to extract significant quantities of distillate.
Marijuana is much higher in delta 8 THC than hemp, but if companies use this type of cannabis for making their extracts, they are illegal unless you buy them in one of the 16 states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use.
Delta 8 THC can be extracted from hemp, using a complicated conversion process from CBD. This way, manufacturers can extract large amounts of delta 8 THC, but the process requires the use of toxic chemicals such as zinc chloride and zinc bromide. They must be purged from the final product in order to avoid contamination.
However, not all companies have the right equipment and skilled employees to run delta 8 extractions properly, which may leave dangerous impurities in the extract.
Bleaches in Delta 8 THC
Bleaching agents are used by some manufacturers to make their products appear “cleaner.”
But as a matter of fact, delta 8 THC comes in a pinkish color. Unfortunately, at some points, manufacturers have started bleaching their extracts to make an impression of a “pure” product. Trustworthy companies will never bleach their products because they understand that real delta 8 THC has a slightly pink color.
All of the Delta 8 THC gummies we recommend in our guide use unbleached delta 8 THC.
Is Delta 8 THC Legal?
Cannabis plants have two main species — hemp and marijuana. In 2018, President Trump signed the amended Farm Bill, making a clear distinction between hemp and marijuana. Hemp was removed from the list of controlled substances and became legal on a federal level.
Hemp-derived products are legal in all 50 states if they contain 0.3% of delta 9 THC or less. Delta 8 THC from hemp meets the above condition, which many people take as a green light for legal sale.
That being said, the DEA has recently issued a statement where they claim any synthetically extracted products containing “tetrahydrocannabinol” are illegal. However, synthetic extraction means that something has been made with synthetic ingredients in a laboratory — which isn’t true for hemp-derived delta 8 THC.
Long story short, unless the federal government regulates delta 8 THC products, they remain in a legal grey area.
12 states have already banned the sale of delta 8 THC, including Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah.
What’s the Difference Between Delta 8 THC vs Delta 9 THC?
As we said, delta 8 and delta 8 are two versions of the THC compound. Here’s a brief comparison of the two substances in terms of their potency, side effects, tolerance, and legality.
Potency
Delta 8 THC creates the same kind of a psychoactive experience as delta 9 THC but it’s about half as strong. This means that you need to take twice the amount of delta 8 THC to achieve the same intensity of effects as with weed.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of high doses of delta 9 THC are anxiety and paranoia. There are also other reactions like dry mouth, dry eyes, confusion, problems with coordination, and short-term memory impairment.
While it’s possible to experience sedation and difficulty concentrating after overconsuming delta 8 THC, anxiety and paranoia are extremely rare. Most people describe the high induced by delta 8 THC as clear-headed, focused on the body, and more easy-going.
Tolerance
Tolerance builds up when the body gets used to a certain dose of a substance, needing higher amounts to experience the same kind of effects. Tolerance to delta 8 THC builds much faster than it does to delta 9. If you take delta 8 THC gummies every day for about a month, you may notice an increase in your tolerance after that time.
Legal Status
Despite more states legalizing marijuana every year, it remains illegal on a federal level. In contrast, delta 8 THC is federally legal — at least theoretically. 12 states have decided to ban delta 8 THC within their jurisdictions, so the actual status of hemp-derived delta 8 THC is actually a legal grey area.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Find the Best Delta 8 THC Gummies
Curious to explore more delta 8 THC brands than what we’ve covered in our article? This section will come in handy.
Delta 8 THC is a relatively new subject, so if you’re not sure how to choose the best delta 8 THC gummies in the sea of mediocre products, check for the following parameters:
1. Third-party Testing
Checking for certificates of analysis should always be on the top of your priority list. A third-party laboratory is one that is not affiliated with the manufacturer. Such facilities provide unbiased lab reports for the potency and purity of the product. If there are any contaminants in the tested sample, the certificate of analysis will show it.
Interpreting lab reports is quite easy, but you should at least check if the company tests its products for common contaminants.
If the company doesn’t publish the lab reports on their website and refuses to send them via email, it’s an instant warning sign.
The most important features to look for in a third-party lab report are:
- Potency: the total amount of delta 8 THC in the product
- Pesticides: the presence of the common pesticides
- Microbial impurities: fungal and microbial contaminants that could develop due to improper storage
- Heavy metals: impurities from the soil (shown in ppm of each compound)
- Bleaches: a common problem for the delta 8 THC space
- Residual solvents: checks for organic solvents, such as hexane, propane, and butane
2. User Reviews
Reputable companies have plenty of positive user reviews all over the internet. The Delta 8 THC market is relatively new, but there are already a few brands with a good reputation. You can also look at the user reviews on third-party websites or check online rankings and expert blogs for more detailed information about your potential vendor.
3. Extraction Method
Delta 8 THC is the same substance regardless of the source.
However, the source of delta 8 THC can affect its legal status.
The only products legal on a federal level are those made from hemp, as they contain less than 0.3% of delta 9 THC. Delta 8 THC gummies from marijuana may be legal in your state, but there’s a federal ban on marijuana, so you can buy it in just about any state.
Still, if you order delta 8 THC gummies from hemp companies, make sure they provide relevant and up-to-date certificates of analysis.
4. Source of Delta 8 THC
Hemp plants are effective bio accumulators, meaning they absorb every substance from their environment. The best delta 8 THC gummies are made from organically grown plants that come from clean, nutrient-rich soil. Such plants yield CBD-rich flowers that are free of heavy metals and other impurities. The best hemp comes from local organic farms in regions like California, Colorado, Kentucky, and Oregon.
5. Additional Ingredients
Delta 8 THC gummies are a simple product. When companies add synthetic ingredients or preservatives, it’s either to make up for a bland taste or to extend the shelf life of such products. The best delta 8 THC gummies are made with natural delta 8 THC distillate and a simple gummy base containing gelatin (or agar/fruit pectin for vegans), organic cane sugar, and fruit juices. This is how delicious delta 8 THC gummies should look like.
6. Delta 9 THC Potency
Hemp-derived delta 8 THC gummies should only contain trace amounts of delta 9 THC (below 0.3%). But, since the market isn’t regulated, you need to make sure that the delta 9 THC content from the label of the bottle matches the actual delta 9 levels. If the content is too high, you may be accidentally breaking the law. If you want to try delta 8 THC gummies from marijuana, you can do it in a state where recreational use of marijuana is legal. Until the federal government legalizes all forms of cannabis, the only federally legal delta 8 THC products are those from hemp.
Key Takeaways on the Best Delta 8 THC Gummies in 2022
There’s a high demand for delta 8 THC products. Since they’re legal on a federal level, many people consider them a great alternative to regular weed. Delta 8 THC provides a smoother cognitive experience and has a lower incidence of anxiety and paranoia.
Delta 8 THC gummies are among the most sought-after forms of this cannabinoid. When searching for the best delta 8 THC gummies, always be sure to check for lab reports from a third-party laboratory on top of reading user reviews and running a meticulous background check on your potential vendor. Doing so will help you make a well-thought-out decision and buy a product that brings you the expected benefits.