Cannabis edibles are edible, so they are extremely popular right now. While most people associate this product with gummies, the truth is that cannabis edibles can also include cookies, chocolate bars, and so much more.
The newest gummy to hit the market is delta 8 THC gummies. These gummies let you munch on cannabinoids without getting an uber-high that many people just don’t want. Instead, the delta 8 gummies get you much less high, and best of all, they are legal on a federal level.
What makes delta 8 THC gummies so different? First of all, they are essentially a clone of the standard THC that is synthesized by marijuana plants. The main difference is, delta 8 THC is roughly half as psychoactive as the delta 9 molecule, producing a high that means less anxiety and a more relaxed result.
But if you think all THC gummy manufacturers are the same, think again. The smartest way to tell if a company is reputable is to ask yourself this one question: do they have a certificate of analysis from a third-party independent laboratory?
These labs are 100% objective and simply test the product for purity and strength, but it costs companies money to get the tests done, which is why not all of them agree to it.
Not to worry, though, because this article is here to help you determine which companies make the purest, highest-quality delta 8 THC gummies and edibles. Some of the best delta 8 THC gummies and edibles are listed below.
Best Delta 8 THC Gummies: Top Brands for 2021
- Best delta 8 gummies overall: Area 52 Delta 8 THC Gummies
- Best delta 8 gummies for beginners: Finest Labs Delta 8 THC Gummies
- Most potent delta 8 gummies: 3Chi Delta 8 THC Gummies
1. Area 52 Delta 8 THC Gummies
Area 52 makes pure delta 8 THC distillate in many different forms, including not only gummies but also vapes and tinctures. If you’re looking for a potent form of delta 8 THC, this is it. Their gummies have 25 mg of delta 8 THC each, making them more potent than many other delta 8 THC edibles.
Even better, these gummies come in three yummy flavors, including Green Apple, Strawberry, and Pineapple. You don’t have to consume more than one or two per day to get the moderate high we all love because of the high potency.
Made with natural sweeteners and flavors, there are no synthetic additives ever put into the product, which is great because it allows you to enjoy the yumminess of gummies yet still get a high that doesn’t come from other sources.
2. Finest Labs Delta 8 THC Gummies
This is a great brand for beginning delta 8 THC users, mostly because they are made with only 10 mg of THC per gummy. They are also made with a broad-spectrum hemp extract and have a delightful blueberry flavor. You can find mentions of Finest Labs on publishers such as Peninsula Daily News, Seattle Weekly, and Peninsula Clarion.
While they may not get you super high, they do provide you with a sense of relaxation, which is perfect for beginners and those who have a low tolerance for delta 8 THC. But don’t worry because you still get health benefits from consuming this type of THC in low dosages.
If you do have a high tolerance for THC or you’re not a beginner, you might want to stick with another brand because the Finest Labs delta 8 THC gummies are a little on the expensive side.
3. 3Chi Delta 8 THC Gummies
3Chi has been doing this for a while, so they make numerous delta 8 THC products, which include gummies, tinctures, moon rocks, vapes, and flowers. The gummies are available in two different flavors: Watermelon and Black Raspberry.
With 3Chi’s delta 8 THC gummies, you get two options: the pure delta 8 THC, which is a distillate; and a blend of both delta 8 THC and CBN.
In both versions, you get 25 mg of delta 8 THC per gummy, and you can order the gummies in packets of 8 or 16.
While 3Chi does use an outside third-party lab for the testing of their products, there are no details on their site regarding the source of the hemp they use. If that’s not a “make or break” issue for you, these gummies should be perfect.
What Are Delta 8 THC Gummies?
Delta 8 THC gummies contain THC and not CBD, and there are many different types. For instance, the type found in marijuana is called delta 9 THC, but the delta 8 THC is closely related and has the same health benefits, yet it makes you less high.
If you don’t like vape products or tinctures, THC gummies are perfect because they taste great and have the same effect as taking them via tinctures or vape products. The main difference between delta 8 and delta 9 is in the chemical makeup, but otherwise they are almost identical.
What Happens to You When You Take Delta 8 THC Gummies?
When it comes to the “high” that you get from delta THC products, delta 9 is far more psychoactive than delta 8, yet delta 8 still gives you that high and relaxation that you love. The high also doesn’t feel overwhelming and isn’t as extreme as consuming a gummy that has been infused with real weed.
Here is an example of the difference between delta 8 and delta 9 THC products. Delta 9 products get you fairly high and therefore, you can have side effects such as paranoia and anxiety.
On the other hand, delta 8 THC products only give you a slight high, so you are much less likely to experience any of these side effects.
What Dosage Should You Use with Delta 8 THC Products?
If you’re curious about the best dosage for your delta 8 THC products, most experts recommend starting out between 10 and 60 mg per dose. If you’ve never used delta 8 THC products before, it’s recommended that you start with the lowest dosage – 10 mg.
If you take a 10 mg dose, you’ll feel less stressed and more euphoric, but it usually won’t produce any side effects. It almost makes you feel like you’re a little drunk, which makes it perfect for beginners who don’t yet know what their tolerance is for THC products.
Once you get used to the 10 mg dose, you can increase your usage by 5 mg at a time until you reach the dosage that is right for you, meaning it will relax you and get you a bit high but won’t make you uncomfortable either physically or mentally.
NEVER start out with a high dosage if you’ve never used delta 8 THC products before. Remember, even a 10 mg gummy is pretty potent, so starting out with a low dosage and adding slowly to that dosage is the best thing to do.
Finding the Dose of Delta 8 THC That Is Right for You
All delta 8 THC products are premeasured, so you always know exactly how much you’re taking when you consume them. If you’re a newbie and don’t wish to get super high, you can take one to two 10 mg gummies per day to get that effect.
You can also take a gummy with 20 mg of delta 8 THC and cut it into halves or quarters, then take those pieces throughout the day. This ensures you won’t be taking too much delta 8 THC at one time.
If you start slowly and add small amounts of delta 8 THC until you reach your sweet spot, you won’t have to worry about overdoing it and getting effects that are simply too strong and severe for you.
Is Taking Delta 8 THC Gummies Safe?
Just like other cannabinoids, delta 8 THC gummies have never caused anyone to have a fatal overdose, nor has there been found a direct link to any toxic effects in any human subjects. Nevertheless, there are a few possible side effects of using this type of THC, and they include the following:
- Dizziness
- Dry eyes
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration
This is yet another advantage to starting out with a slow dose and building up slowly from there. Starting out with a slow dose allows you to learn immediately when there’s a side effect. When that happens, you can always go back down to a smaller dosage to eliminate those side effects.
This being said, it isn’t the delta 8 THC that is the problem; instead, it’s any contaminants and synthetic additives that are in the product, which is why that third-party testing is so important.
What Should You Look for When Researching Delta 8 THC Gummies?
If you buy delta 8 THC gummies from an uncertified source, here are some problems you could run into:
Impurities
Delta 8 THC isn’t synthesized in cannabis plants naturally. Instead, delta 9 THC has to break down over time to produce delta 8 THC. Even then, there are only trace amounts of delta 8 THC found. Therefore, companies making delta 8 THC products use a special conversion process to turn CBD into delta 9 THC, which they then synthesize delta 8 THC from. Some of these steps require certain chemicals to be added to the mixture, which must be thoroughly purged before putting the product on the market. If the company doesn’t do this, you can end up consuming those chemicals when you eat the gummies.
Bleaches
Some companies add bleach to their delta 8 THC to get rid of its naturally pink color, but reputable companies will not do this and instead let the pinkish color remain. If the delta 8 THC product you’re using is too clear, it could be that the company making it has added bleach to the mix.
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is yet another reason to work only with companies that hire a third-party lab to test their products before they go on the market. Just an FYI: all of the products mentioned in this article use only unbleached delta 8 THC.
Is Delta THC Legal in the United States?
To answer this question, you have to know that marijuana and hemp are two different species of cannabis. When the amended Farm Bill was signed into law in 2018, hemp was removed from the Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act; marijuana remains on the list. Hemp is now legal in all 50 states because of this.
But the law can be confusing and has been interpreted differently by different lawyers. Technically, hemp-derived products are only legal if they contain no more than 0.3% of THC. The DEA isn’t always clear on how it will interpret the new law. A total of nine states have already banned the sale of all delta 8 THC.
We’ll just have to see what happens with the law regarding delta 8 THC products.
Comparing Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC
In addition to its chemical compounds, there are other differences between delta 8 and delta 9 THC products, which include:
Strength
Delta 9 THC is roughly twice as strong as delta 8 THC, which means you’ll need twice as much delta 8 THC to experience the same results.
Side effects
Anxiety and paranoia are the two most common side effects with delta 9 THC. These things are very rare with delta 8 THC, although some people experience mild cases of other side effects.
Tolerance
Once you take delta 8 THC products for about a month, your tolerance toward it can increase. You’ll need to use this product in moderation to keep your tolerance at a steady pace. Fortunately, you can reverse the effects if you need to by taking a week-long break before returning to the previous level.
Legality
Marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, even though more and more states are legalizing it every year. Still, delta 8 THC is legal in all 50 states, but it still remains a legal gray area, which means caution should be used when taking THC products across state lines.
Delta 8 THC Gummies Buyer’s Guide: How to Get What’s Right for You
Delta 8 THC is fairly new, so you may not know what to look for when buying it. Below are a few things you can look at and consider before deciding which one to purchase.
Additional Ingredients
Simply put, there is no need to add anything to a gummy product. The best delta 8 THC gummies come from a delta 8 THC distillate, a natural gummy base and natural colorings and flavors. Many of these ingredients will come from organic juices and fruit extracts. These are the ingredients that make the gummies truly tasty.
Delta 9 THC Content
Ideally, your delta 8 THC gummies will have only trace amounts of delta 9 THC. But keep in mind that the market is essentially unregulated, which means you could possibly find more than trace amounts of delta 9 THC. If this happens, you could be breaking the law and not even know it. You can choose weed-infused delta 8 THC, of course, but you should only do this if you live in a state where marijuana is legal.
Extraction Method Used
While delta 8 THC gummies should be legal in your area, it’s still best to check the cannabis regulations where you live before ordering the product online. Delta 8 THC can come from either marijuana or hemp, and if marijuana is still illegal where you live, it’s best not to buy anything made from marijuana. Even if you buy delta 8 THC that is derived from hemp, make sure you get a certificate of analysis proving their delta 9 THC content. It is the source of the delta 8, not the delta 8 itself, that might be illegal in your state.
Source of the Delta 8 THC
Hemp plants absorb every substance from the environment they grow in, which is why it needs to be grown in soil that is both clean and filled with nutrients. When grown in this type of soil, you get your best high-CBD flowers free of molds, heavy metals, and all types of pollutants. If you’re curious where the best delta 8 THC gummies come from and want it to come only from local organic farms, choose gummies that come from regions such as Colorado, California, Oregon, or Kentucky.
Third-Party Testing
Here we go again, but this is important. When a third-party independent lab is hired to conduct a purity test, they will issue a certificate of analysis (COA) so that you can see the results. The COA is usually on the company’s website, and if there isn’t one, move onto the next company! If you’d like more information that includes lab reports, contact the company. If they don’t give you a satisfactory answer, again, move onto the next company. In these lab reports, you can find categories such as pesticides used, potency level, heavy metals or microbial contaminants, bleaches, and residual solvents such as propane, hexane, and butane. None of these should be included in your delta 8 THC product.
User Reviews
These days, it is super easy to find reviews from real-life customers on just about any product out there. This includes delta 8 THC products such as gummies and others. Make sure you visit honest sites and stay away from sites such as Reddit, which often make up user reviews just to hype a particular brand. Keep in mind, though, that all products will have some negative reviews; it is human nature. But if a product has far more positive reviews than negative ones, this is a good sign.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best delta 8 THC gummies is not as difficult as it sounds. Looking at lab reports and checking out user reviews are two of the smartest things you can do if you’re trying to find the best delta 8 THC gummies. Keep in mind that delta 8 THC has much milder psychoactive properties than delta 9, and you should be very safe using it.