While Delta-8 cannabis products may be rising in popularity, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not thrilled about the scary health effects they can come with.
The FDA and CDC would like you to know that delta-8 products are largely unregulated and may come with some adverse effects, including symptoms similar to those seen after a too-large dose of cannabis.
Both agencies released alerts this week warning consumers about the unknowns and potential dangers of consuming delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products.
Between December 2020 and January 2021 alone, the FDA received reports of 22 people who’d consumed delta-8 products, including 14 people who’d ended up in the hospital or emergency room.
If someone ingests a large amount of delta-8, they might experience lethargy, slurred speech, changes in heart rate, uncoordinated movements, sedation, and even coma, said the CDC.
The CDC has said depending on a state’s specific regulations, companies can sell delta-8 products legally in cannabis products or in the hemp market (similar to CBD products).
“The natural amount of delta-8 THC in hemp is very low, and additional chemicals are needed to convert other cannabinoids in hemp, like CBD, into delta-8 THC,” the FDA explains. “The final delta-8 THC product may have potentially harmful by-products (contaminants) due to the chemicals used in the process.”
Consumers should be aware that delta-8 is out there and, despite marketing that suggests it only provides a mild high, it can have real psychoactive effects, the CDC says.
