Delta-8 Safety: The Ultimate Guide

It is both an exciting and enlightening time when someone is new to hemp.

But with all new things, people have questions.

And a common one that is asked is this, “Is Delta-8 safe?”

Since its rise to prominence, Delta-8 has received a lot of praise, and naturally, with any type of cannabis product, some concerns.

At Hometown Hero, we believe that Delta-8 can provide enjoyable experiences if used and handled responsibly.

Because hey, there’s a reason why we only sell it to customers 21 and over.

So in this blog post, we’re going to go over the fundamentals of enjoying Delta-8 safely and responsibly. 

Is Delta-8 THC Safe? 

Delta-8 THC is safe when used responsibly and moderately. There is a possibility of feeling “overwhelmed” by consuming more than needed, but there is very little threat of physical danger.

If you are curious if Delta-8 is a good fit for you, you should consult your physician.

Upon approval, you can choose your consumption method of choice.

Before enjoying Delta-8, make sure your day is free from any obligations because you cannot drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery after consuming any form of THC.

If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you shouldn’t consume Delta-8 or any cannabinoid products.

Lastly, keep hemp products out of reach of children at all times.

Are Delta-8 Gummies Safe?

Delta-8 gummies that are lab-tested and made with quality ingredients are the only hemp-derived edibles you should buy.

For overall safety and assurance, buying Delta-8 gummies from a reputable retailer will relieve you of knowing that you have the best product in your hands.

Whether you choose to buy Hometown Hero Delta-8 gummies, Delta-8 baked goods, or our hemp-derived Delta-9 products, you are receiving premium crafted products made right here in Texas.

You can even try our Delta-8 gummies for free by visiting our samples page. With one bite, you will experience the quality of our products.

Plus, you can always look at our up-to-date reviews on every product we sell.

Understanding Delta-8

To safely enjoy Delta-8, you first need to understand what Delta-8 is.

Delta-8 is a form of tetrahydrocannabinol, aka THC.

You probably have heard about THC when people discuss marijuana. In this context, people are talking about a specific form of THC called Delta-9, which is in marijuana and hemp.

Delta-8 THC naturally occurs in both hemp and marijuana but in small amounts.

The type of Delta-8 that’s available for purchase is widely legal because it is derived from hemp. Hemp is simply cannabis with a 0.3% concentration of Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. Marijuana is any cannabis that exceeds this concentration.

Delta-8 may come from hemp, but don’t underestimate it. We’ll touch upon it later, but there’s an easy way to approach Delta-8 that can help you avoid feeling “overwhelmed.”

The most important thing to understand about Delta-8 is that it is THC. It’s not “like THC,” nor does it “contain a small amount of THC.”

It is THC and that fact should always be taken into consideration.

Read More>> What is Delta 8 THC?

How Long Do Delta-8 Effects Last?

There are many variables to consider regarding the experience and longevity of effects.

Remember, effects vary from person to person and the length of time that these results occur.

We would love to give an exact time or even an estimate, but there is still no way of accurately telling someone this information.

With that in mind, some factors that can affect the duration of effects include:

• Method of consumption
• Experience
• Metabolism
• Amount consumed
• Time since the last meal

Smoking Delta-8 flower has been known to offer a quicker onset of effects. In comparison, edibles have been known to take longer to activate with more acute results.

On the other hand, tinctures taken sublingually will have a sooner activation time than using the mixture in foods or drinks.

Still, whichever consumption method is used, there isn’t an accurate time frame to give you. The best way to determine how long effects will last for is by trial.

Lastly, the amount you consume will play a role in the amount of time it takes to activate and lasts.

If you are inexperienced with hemp and don’t know where to start—always go small. “Go big or go home” will backfire in this scenario.

By starting small, you can find your “sweet spot” without overdoing it.

Delta 8 Benefits

We are masters at creating the top hemp products today, but we are not doctors, which means we are not at the liberty to discuss any benefits of Delta-8.

However, we can discuss the primary advantage of shopping for Delta-8 (or any hemp-derived cannabinoids)—the ability to order online.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp products can cross state lines. This freedom allows us to ship our products to our customers all over the country.

Keep in mind, Delta-8 is legal in many states, but not all.

If your state allows Delta-8, you can place an order with us today.

If Delta-8 isn’t legal at your current state of residence, hemp-derived Delta-9 is legal in all 50 states.

And yes, it can also be delivered right to your door.

Determining If You Can Take Delta-8

It’s no secret that Delta-8 is a product meant for adults, specifically adults 21 and up.

With that in mind comes standard safety measures for such products. You do not want to use Delta-8 if you are:

• Driving a vehicle or plan on driving a vehicle
• Operating heavy machinery or plan on operating heavy machinery
• Pregnant
• Nursing
• Experiencing any diagnosed or undiagnosed medical conditions

Pretty standard stuff, right?

And we probably don’t have to say that if you’ve experienced any allergic reactions to cannabis, even if it was marijuana, you should avoid Delta-8 products. Hemp and marijuana are the same species, and their only distinction is a legal one.

If you are unsure if you should or should not try Delta-8, it’s always best to do your own research and consult your physician for advice.

Is Delta-8 THC Dangerous?

Delta-8 THC products that have been tested for possible contaminants and cannabinoid content at a third-party lab will offer a level of quality with peace of mind.

At Hometown Hero, our customer's safety is the utmost important part of our job. To confidently distribute our products, we get them tested at a DEA-certified lab to ensure top-quality and a safe experience.

Before consuming hemp, remember to reach out to your doctor to see if Delta-8 is right for you.

Researching Manufacturers

Not everything labeled “Delta-8” will contain Delta-8 in it. And some products with Delta-8 in them might not have any lab reports determining if the product is safe for consumption.

A bit worrying, right?

So for the next part of your Delta-8 journey, you want to look at the brand/manufacturer of the product. There are many ways to tell if the company is legitimate, from looking at their website (if they have one) to finding third-party recognition.

Here are just a few of the questions you should ask about a Delta-8 product manufacturer:

• Does this brand have a website?
• Does that website feature customer reviews?
• Have they been featured in any news publications?
• Have they received any industry awards?
• Do they have an actual customer service branch that’s willing to talk with customers and answer questions?
• Do customers have access to their lab reports (COAs)?

The factors above can help indicate that you’re buying Delta-8 from a trustworthy company.

Examining COAs

COA stands for “certificate of analysis,” or “certificate of authenticity.” Sometimes, they’re simply called “lab reports.”

No matter what you call them, a COA reveals to Delta-8 enthusiasts important pieces of information such as a product’s:

• Cannabinoid content
• Levels of contaminants

It’s always good to have access to results for a product’s cannabinoid content. Cannabinoids have distinct effects, and you don’t want to be in for any “surprises” when trying a Delta-8 product. You also want to make sure that you’re not being left empty-handed.

Then, most importantly, a good COA will also have results from tests that detect contaminants. Some labs will even put a seal at the top of their report to immediately indicate that no harmful levels of contaminants were detected.

A Delta-8 manufacturer/distributor might not have any COAs available for their customers. Then, they may have COAs available, but they reveal nothing about contaminants. In that case, it’s best to avoid their products.

As of this writing, the FDA has not evaluated Delta-8 products. For now, it is up to manufacturers to take the initiative to get their products tested and to decide if they want their customers to see their COAs.

At Hometown Hero, we test our products for both cannabinoid content and for contaminants. These tests are carried out by ACS Laboratory, which is DEA registered and International Organization for Standardization accredited.

Read More>> How to Read COAs - The Most Important Factor for Buying Delta-8 (2021 Guide)

Starting Off Small

So you’re in the clear for taking Delta-8, you’ve researched manufacturers, checked their COAs, and now you’re ready to try it.

If it’s your first time trying Delta-8 or a type of Delta-8 product that’s new to you, it’s always best to start out small.

What do we mean by this?

With edibles, for example, you may want to cut off a smaller piece of it rather than eat the whole thing at once. For tinctures, you may want to just try out a few drops instead of starting off with an entire dropper. Then finally, for inhaling Delta-8, you might want to take lighter puffs.

What counts as “small” will vary from person to person, as cannabinoids affect us all a bit differently. However, you can always work your way up with Delta-8, but you can’t work your way down.

Again, Delta-8 is a form of THC, and there has never been a reported case of someone dying because they have ingested too much THC. Regardless, consuming too much Delta-8 can result in a not-so-good time.

Learning how Delta-8 affects you in a controlled manner is an important part of enjoying the cannabinoid responsibly.

Storing Delta-8

Properly storing your Delta-8 is essential for safe enjoyment. The last thing you want is for anyone to unintentionally consume Delta-8. This especially applies to you if there are children in your household.

So when it comes to stowing away your Delta-8, there are a few key things that you want to remember.

The first is that there is no such thing as “childproof” packaging.

Child-resistant packaging exists. It's difficult to open, but nonetheless, it can be opened.

With this in mind, you want to make sure that your Delta-8 is out of reach in the first place. Under no circumstances should a child be handling or tinkering around with a Delta-8 product.

Also, it’s always good to make sure that no matter where or how you store your Delta-8 products, that they’re clearly labeled as such. Even an adult can mistake an edible for a common baked good or gummy.

And finally, Delta-8 should not be consumed by pets. So for the sake of your four-legged friends, make sure it’s out of their reach too.

So, in short, when storing your Delta-8, make sure you follow directions (such as keeping it in a dry and cool spot if mentioned), keep it out of the reach of children, make sure it’s clearly labeled, and make sure pets can’t get to it.

Learn more >> How Long Can You Freeze Edibles?

Final Thoughts: Delta 8 Safety

Delta-8 is a product that is only meant for safe, responsible adult consumption. And doing just a bit of homework, not going overboard, and proper handling can lead to some great experiences!

Buying your products from reliable manufacturers allows you to have peace of mind, and when you choose to shop with us, you’ll have confidence from the first bite. Remember, enjoy responsibly and start small. From there, you can experience the reasons why so many choose Delta-8.

So, in short, here is how you can safely enjoy Delta-8:

• Be aware that although it’s from hemp, Delta-8 is still THC
• Know that Delta-8 is not for everyone and every circumstance
• Do research on a manufacturer to see if they are legitimate/trustworthy
• Make sure that a Delta-8 product has a comprehensive COA
• Start off small if it’s your first time trying Delta-8
• Store your Delta-8 appropriately so that it cannot be reached by children