What is Delta 7 THC?

If you like to stay on top of new developments in the cannabis scene, you undoubtedly have caught wind by now of the meteoric rise of Delta 9 THC alternatives such as Delta 8 and the less widespread Delta 10. Following these trailblazers, it was inevitable that there would be a new kid on the block coming up eventually. It seems that this has happened, or rather, it’s beginning to happen right now with Delta 7 THC. Sure, Delta 7 is still relatively unheard of among the general public and scarcely available commercially. But with an eye on the near future, what makes Delta 7 THC special, and what conclusions can we draw about its usefulness compared to its stablemates? Read on to find out! We haven't found a way to add delta 7 to our garden just yet. For now, check out other amazing cannabinoids:

What is Delta 7 THC?

As you might know, cannabinoids exist within the raw hemp plant in an inactive state that must first undergo decarboxylation (decarbing) in order to become psychoactive in humans. These inactive states are usually denoted with the letter “a”, so for THC, the corresponding “natural” state is THCa. THCa decarbs to form mostly Delta 9, but also very small amounts of Delta 8 THC. Delta 7, on the other hand, is not one of those naturally occurring byproducts. It’s an entirely synthetic chemical gained by manipulating the structure of Delta 9 through a series of reactions. This is much like how Delta 10 THC has to be produced in a lab because the chemical bonds that are required for it to exist never occur naturally.

How is Delta 7 THC Made?

There is no established, standardized process for making Delta 7 THC, especially because it isn’t produced commercially anywhere (yet). The basic synthesis of Delta 7 THC as performed in scientific studies involves multiple chains of chemical reactions that change the molecular structure within Delta 9 THC. This is a complex process that requires an expensive and precise setup and is arguably one of the major hurdles toward widespread access to this THC isomer.

Delta 7 THC Effects

The effects of Delta 7 are still shrouded in some degree of mystery, but what we can say for now is that this THC isomer appears to be non-psychoactive compared to its peers. Instead of a classic high, Delta 7 THC seems to cause a sort of full-body relaxation reminiscent of high doses of Delta 8, though it seems to affect the body quite differently. In animal studies, Delta 7 has shown exceptionally strong abilities as an anti-convulsant and in preventing seizures.

Delta 7 THC Benefits

While there aren’t many quality sources on the benefits of Delta 7 THC on humans, for now, based on theoretical research and some studies conducted on mice and monkeys, we can see that Delta 7 THC should carry fewer if any serious side effects compared to its “harder-hitting” psychotropic friends, Delta 8 and 9. Delta 7 might actually be even more potent than the above THC isomers in controlling physical pains, spasms, seizures, and other conditions.

Is Delta 7 THC Safe?

While no obvious risks or side effects to using Delta 7 have yet been established, the lack of reliable research on its effects alone should serve as a word of caution.

Is Delta 7 THC Legal?

While the law on cannabis as such can get confusing enough, things enter a real gray zone when you start including rare or unusual cannabinoids such as Delta 7 THC. There are already laws on the books in many states concerning (and often limiting access to) the relatively new Delta 8 and Delta 10. Accordingly, assuming that Delta 7 THC will become popular eventually, you might see some legislation appearing in the near future. However, as of now, there is no absolute official stance on this cannabinoid. In theory, Delta 7 should be legal to sell and possess in most states under the 2018 Farm Bill as it is not psychotropic and can be gained artificially from a hemp base. However, only time will tell whether that precedent will stand in the long term.

Does Hemp Contain Delta 7 THC?

Hemp doesn’t naturally contain Delta 7 THC in any amounts. The chemical reactions necessary to create Delta 7 simply aren’t found anywhere in nature, and the only way to produce Delta 7 is to synthesize it in a lab.

Does Delta 7 THC Get you High?

While more research needs to be done on this topic, the preliminary studies that have been done on Delta 7 suggest that it has no capability of causing a high in the traditional sense. Delta 7 does contact the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the same way as Delta 9 or Delta 8 would, and it even hits some of the same receptors – but for one reason or another, no real psychoactive property has yet been attributed to this unique isomer.

How to Buy Delta 7 THC

Unfortunately, we aren’t aware of any retailers that currently offer Delta 7 THC in 2022. With the ongoing trend towards experimentation within the cannabis business, and the increasing desire to move towards “alternative” THC isomers to avoid legal crackdowns, it’s very possible that Delta 7 THC might become much more widely available very soon. Just like you, we will stay tuned to add this amazing cannabinoid to our garden. We hoped you enjoyed this article. Our blog section takes a closer look at terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids like what is Delta-11 THC. Check it out!