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

Delta 8 THC is an outstanding compound — it comes with all the health benefits of delta 9 THC but with less undesired side effects, like anxiousness or overstimulation.

What’s not to love about it?

The problem is that the laws surrounding hemp and hemp-derived products aren’t always as straightforward as we’d like. This is especially true when you consider that each state can have entirely different regulations than those established at the federal level.

Thankfully, Maine is one of the most cannabis-friendly states. Delta 8 THC and delta 10 THC are both legal in the state of Maine.

In this article, you can learn all about the delta 8 THC laws in the state, the differences between delta 8 and delta 9 THC, how to use delta 8, and where to buy it.

IS DELTA 8 THC LEGAL IN MAINE?

Whether it was extracted from hemp or cannabis, delta 8 THC is legal in Maine. This is actually one of the most cannabis-friendly states, and there are no restrictions to the amount of delta 8 you can possess.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp and hemp-derived products are legal in all states from a federal perspective. However, it’s worth noting that hemp is defined as cannabis having a maximum of 0.3% delta 9 THC.

While some states have purposefully made hemp-derived products, like delta 8 THC, illegal, others allow cannabis and derived products regardless of THC content.

All forms of cannabis and hemp are legal in Maine, and virtually all delta 8 THC vendors will ship their products to addresses in Maine.

WHAT ABOUT DELTA 10 THC?

With Maine being a pro-cannabis state, all forms of THC are legal. So whether you use it for medical or recreational purposes, delta 8, delta 9, and delta 10 THC are all legal under the same stipulations.

Delta 10 products must be made entirely from hemp and contain no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC in the final product.

DO I NEED A MEDICAL CARD IN MAINE TO ORDER DELTA 8 THC?

No, you don’t need a medical card to get delta 8 products in Maine.

Whether the delta 8 was extracted from hemp or marijuana, you can buy these products from online stores or local dispensaries as long as you’re 21 or older.

WHAT IS DELTA 8 THC?

You’ve probably already heard about THC. It usually refers to delta 9 THC — the compound in cannabis that gets you high. However, few people know about two other versions of this compound — called delta 8 and delta 10 THC.

Technically, there are several others, including delta 3, delta 6, and delta 7 THC as well — but these compounds aren’t found in nature and are rarely available online.

For the sake of this article, we’re going to focus on delta 8 THC in particular.

So what is delta 8 THC? 

Well, delta 8 is a phytocannabinoid found in trace amounts in cannabis. It’s a byproduct of delta 9 THC as it degrades under exposure to light, heat, and oxygen.

Cannabis can have up to 30% delta 9 while it has less than 1% in delta 8 THC.

Health benefits-wise, you can pretty much get the same out of both.

WHAT DOES DELTA 8 THC FEEL LIKE? 

Regarding its effects, both delta 8 and delta 9 THC are similar. The main difference is that delta 8 is roughly half as potent. It also comes with fewer side effects — making it a perfect alternative for people who experience anxiety and paranoia due to delta 9 consumption. This is an issue that’s more common than you might expect and likely the reason why delta 8 THC products are so popular these days.

Moreover, delta 8 has a greater shelf life than delta 9 and improves your appetite.

These different effects and consequent different legal classification is that the two compounds are chemical isomers. This means their chemical structure is very similar, apart from one subtle alteration in the double bond placement in the THC structure.

This double bond is identified by the name. For example, Delta 8 THC has this bond at the eighth carbon, while delta 9 holds this bond at the ninth carbon.

IS DELTA 8 THC SAFE?

Yes, delta 8 THC is very safe — firstly, because it takes twice the amount of delta 8 to produce the same effects as delta 9, it’s much harder to use too much accidentally.

Moreover, as previously mentioned, delta 8 THC leads to fewer side effects than delta 9, especially when it comes to anxiousness, difficulty sleeping, or paranoia. It’s much mellower compared to delta 9 THC, which can be stimulating when used in high enough doses.

There have never been any reported overdoses or deaths as a result of delta 8 THC consumption. Side effects are possible but tend to be mild in nature. The most common side effect is fatigue — which basically means if you take too much, you’ll probably feel a strong case of the munchies and then go to bed.

HOW TO USE DELTA 8 THC

You can find d8 products in many different forms — there’s something for everyone! Here are a few examples:

1. DELTA 8 THC OILS & TINCTURES

D8 THC tinctures and oils are probably the most well-known way of consuming delta 8, and it’s also the most versatile option. You can ingest them, hold them under your tongue for up to one minute before swallowing, or add them to food or drinks.

The effects take at least 30 minutes to show up, but if you hold it under your tongue — especially in the case of tinctures — the effects may be faster.

2. DELTA 8 THC EDIBLES

The most common types of D8 THC edibles are gummies and capsules. They work the same way as oils and tinctures since you ingest them, and they’re processed by your digestive system before entering your bloodstream.

They take around the same time to produce effects as oils and tinctures. Its greatest advantage is how easy it is to dose — you know how much delta 8 THC is in each and can choose to have one gummy or capsule or more.

3. DELTA 8 THC DISTILLATES

Delta 8 distillates are hard to obtain due to the low amounts of this compound in cannabis. Still, you can find products with 45 to 65% of delta 8 THC, up to 10% of delta 9, 1 to 5% of CBD, and trace amounts of other cannabinoids.

It is also quite versatile since you can eat it, put it in a vaporizer, or smoke it with a dab rig. Know that a distillate paste’s color may vary between clear and light brown. Some even have a slight pinkish color. All of these colors are perfectly normal and are determined by the method of extraction.

4. DELTA 8 THC VAPES

The greatest advantage of vaping delta 8 over the previous methods is that its effects show up much faster. It takes less than ten minutes after you’ve inhaled the vapor. They’re also super convenient to carry them anywhere easily.

Just take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you want — the longer you hold, the greater the absorption. You should wait at least ten minutes before taking a second hit if you’re new to using delta 8.

To vape delta 8 THC, you can get pre-made disposable delta 8 vape pens or cartridges to use with a reusable pen.

5. DELTA 8 THC FLOWER

Delta 8 flower is used just like regular cannabis flower. You can smoke it with a pipe or bong or incorporate it in joints or blunts.

This product is made by spraying delta 8 distillate over dried and cured hemp buds.

WHERE TO BUY DELTA 8 THC IN MAINE

The best place to buy delta 8 THC is directly from the brand’s website.

Aside from getting lower prices when you buy directly from the manufacturer, you can take your time reading reviews, checking the third-party certificates, and comparing products and prices.

Checking third-party certificates are especially important when it comes to delta 8 THC products.

Some companies use potentially dangerous extraction methods — some use toxic solvents and heavy metal reagents to produce their distillate. If these elements aren’t removed entirely from the final product, it could cause physical harm.

If you go over the certificates of analysis, you can be sure there aren’t any unwanted compounds in the products you choose.

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

Delta 8 THC is legal in Maine, just like all other cannabis and hemp products. You need to be over 21 to buy delta 8 products — no need for a medical card.

You can find a huge variety of delta 8 products online, from tinctures and edibles to vaping products, there’s something for everyone, and you’ll surely find something that suits your taste and lifestyle.

If you’re interested in giving delta 8 THC a try and you live in the state of Maine, check out our selection of high-grade delta 8 THC products today.