DELTA 8 THC IN HAWAII: IS IT LEGAL & WHERE TO BUY IN 2022?

The debate surrounding delta 8 THC’s legality has irked the masses for a long time, primarily because most laws don’t explicitly mention it local or federal.

Instead, its legal status hinges on which plant the extract was made from — hemp or marijuana.

Currently, delta 8 THC products made from hemp are legal in Hawaii, while products made from marijuana are not.

IS DELTA 8 THC LEGAL IN HAWAII?

Delta 8 is legal in Hawaii.

The 2018 Farm Bill revoked the Schedule 1 status of hemp on a federal level, allowing industrial growth and distribution of hemp and its natural by-products, given that their delta 9 THC content lies below 0.3%. Delta 8 THC is legal on a federal level, given it’s from hemp and not marijuana.

The Hawaii House Bill HB2689 paid heed to the Farm Bill and clearly defined hemp and marijuana.

This means delta 8 THC products are legal in Hawaii as long as they comply with federal law. These products must not contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC and must be made exclusively from hemp.

DO YOU NEED A MEDICAL CARD IN HAWAII TO PURCHASE DELTA 8 THC?

Because delta 8 THC is legal, there is no requirement of a medical license or a medical card to purchase hemp-derived products. Anyone can buy this cannabinoid, including those under twenty-one years of age. There are no state regulations in Hawaii that ban minors from buying it, but some retailers set their own rules.

WHAT ABOUT DELTA 10 THC?

Delta 10 is yet another cannabinoid present in trace amounts in marijuana and hemp. It falls under the same laws as delta 8 THC and is legal if made from hemp.

Delta 10 THC is less potent and promotes a sense of euphoria and creativity. It’s not as readily available as its two counterparts. Present in minute traces in cannabis, its extraction and purification are expensive and uncommon. This is also why these products are more costly than delta 8 or delta 9.

Learn more: Delta 8 vs. Delta 10 THC

DELTA 8 THC: NATURAL OR SYNTHETIC?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued an interim final rule stating that synthetic cannabinoids are illegal. This brings delta 8 up for debate because of these extraction processes.

While delta 8 occurs naturally in hemp, the amounts are too small for commercial use. It’s a by-product of delta 9, and specific methods speed this up, allowing for greater production. Some consider delta 8 synthetics because of this and think it should be illegal.

This compound is not explicitly restricted, and converting one natural derivative into another should not be synthetic.

Delta 8 THC is widely available in Hawaii as well as in online stores.

Learn more: Is Delta 8 THC Synthetic?

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DELTA 8 THC & DELTA 9 THC

Delta 8 and delta 9 are similar, but the position of their double bond differentiates them. This is enough to change their effects.

Delta 8 is associated with a relaxing, mellow experience, while delta 9 THC is almost twice as potent.

Delta 9 reacts more intensely with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), producing a potent high, altered headspace, and may cause anxiety, paranoia, and motor impairment.

Delta 8 is much more chilled-out and less likely to cause unwanted side effects.

Delta 8 is legal almost everywhere and can be shipped across state lines.

HOW TO USE DELTA 8 THC

Delta 8 THC comes in various forms. All methods are effective, though some take longer to kick in. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Here are common methods used to take delta 8. The best way to find out your favorite is to try them all.

1. DELTA 8 THC GUMMIES & EDIBLES

Delta 8 THC can be made into just about any edible form, but the most popular are gummies.

Gummies are a fun and convenient way to take D8, and the effects last longer than smoking or vaping. The downside is that gummies take a little longer to kick in — usually around an hour or so.

2. DELTA 8 THC OILS & TINCTURES

D8 THC tinctures can be used topically or taken orally. For faster absorption, you can leave the oil under your tongue for a minute or two. You should start to feel the effects within about 15 minutes when administered this way.

Alternatively, you can add delta 8 THC tinctures to smoothies, drinks, or other foods.

3. DELTA 8 THC VAPE CARTRIDGES

Vape carts are our best-selling products. They’re cost-effective, super easy to use, and deliver powerful effects in a short amount of time. With just a few puffs on our Official Farmacy vape cart, you’ll start to feel the effects of the cannabinoid within about 2 minutes.

When the cart is empty, replace it with another one — no need to mess around with sticky distillates or resins.

Delta 8 also comes in pre-rolls and delta 8 THC-infused hemp flower. Because it’s inhaled, the effects are immediate but don’t last as long.

4. DELTA 8 THC DISTILLATE

D8 distillate is a thick, paste-like substance that can be dabbed, added to a vaporizer, or swallowed. This stuff is like the jet fuel of the delta 8 THC world — offering the highest potency delta 8 extract possible.

Pure delta 8 doesn’t taste great, but it’s a quick way to use it. Some people add a drop of two high-grade terpene concentrate to improve the flavor and make the distillate taste more like conventional weed products.

5. DELTA 8 THC CAPSULES

Capsules are easy to take delta 8 and are similar to edibles when it takes to kick in.

There are numerous other forms, but these are the easiest to find online and in local shops.

The mode used to consume delta 8 can also vary according to need. For example, some ways are more discreet than others, or maybe you need something to take effect right away. Regardless of the method, it’s important to start with a small amount to see how it affects you.

WHAT’S THE DOSE OF DELTA 8 THC?

If you’re new to delta 8, start with about 5-10 mg or 1-3 puffs on a pre-roll or vape cart. A moderate dose is 15-45 mg, and a high amount is 45 mg or above.

Don’t forget to consider certain variables like weight, tolerance level, and whether you’ve eaten or not.

Start with a dose lower than you think you’ll need, wait to see how the body responds, and then take a little more. There’s no need to rush into it; listen to your body and find what dose works best for you.

Taking too much delta 8 isn’t dangerous, but it can make you feel overly lethargic, nauseous, or dizzy. Try to avoid these effects and be patient with the dose.

For a better understanding of delta 8 THC dosage, check out this in-depth article.

HOW TO SHOP FOR DELTA 8 THC IN HAWAII

Delta 8 THC is available in dispensaries, online stores, head shops, and gas stations across Hawaii. However, we advise against sourcing delta 8 anywhere that isn’t directly from the manufacturer.

There are too many issues with fake delta 8 brands these days to trust unknown vendors or headshops.

Always order directly from the manufacturer. Check for evidence of third-party testing, read reviews, and make sure the product you’re getting is legit. It’s easy to fall for fake, potentially harmful delta 8 suppliers these days.

Here are three core signs of a reputable delta 8 THC supplier.

A) THIRD-PARTY LAB TESTS

Before you order, confirm the safety and potency of the company’s products. Lab results are usually on the website, but sometimes you have to ask for them.

These tests are critical for determining whether delta 8 THC products are free from contaminants, as well as illegal concentrations of delta 9 THC.

If a company doesn’t post these results, you should be asking, “what do they have to hide?”

B) POSITIVE CUSTOMER REVIEWS

Read customer reviews to get a feel for the company. Very few reviews, or many negative ones, are probably a bad sign and mean you should look elsewhere.

While no company has all raving reviews, the vast majority should have a positive sentiment.

C) PACT ACT COMPLIANT

Is the company abiding by local and federal law? It might be tempting to order something you can’t legally have, but any company willing to do this is probably dishonest in other areas, like selling inferior or dangerous products.

During checkout, you should see some form of age verification. This is the law, so you should be wondering what other rules a company is breaking if they aren’t following this important step.

WHAT’S THE FUTURE OF DELTA 8 THC IN HAWAII?

Delta 8 THC has significant advantages over delta 9 and is only bound to become more popular. As trends show, it’s safe to conclude that this popularity will only transfer to other states.

As for Hawaii, delta 8 is legal, and there’s no sign of that changing any time soon. If you’re in Hawaii and want to try delta 8, online is the easiest way to buy, but remember to look for third-party lab tests.