Cannabis compound known as Delta-8 sparks debate

TEXAS – Ask a hemp or cannabis enthusiast about their job and they will share a similar passion for the plant with you. But an emerging cannabis compound known as Delta-8 creates a certain gap. And now state Capitol lawmakers might decide to regulate that.

“We firmly believe in what this plant can do for people,” said Morris Denton, CEO of Compassionate Cultivation.

Compassionate Cultivation is the only legal medical marijuana dispensary headquartered in Texas. Denton says he’s seen the medicinal benefits of cannabis in various forms, but Delta-8 remains a gray area.

“Who do you think regulates it now? Nobody. There is a recreational market for THC in the form of Delta-8 that has no age limit, and that’s worrying because THC is a substance, a cannibinoid, that gets you high,” said The tone.

The logo for Compassionate Cultivation in Texas appears in this undated image. (Spectrum News 1)

Zachary Maxwell works with farmers across the state to harvest hemp. He’s the president of Texas Hemp Growers and sees things differently.

“Delta-8 is fundamentally changing the market right now,” said Maxwell.

The Delta-8’s burst of popularity is good news for the state’s hemp industry, according to Maxwell.

“Delta-8 is not made in grow rooms or on farms. It is actually synthesized in the laboratories that make the CBD oil we are all familiar with. If those laboratories can sell more oil in the market, it means that it is them. ” I’m more inclined to buy from hemp farmers in this state, “Maxwell said.

There is a hemp bill that is making its way through state legislation that includes some changes to the current hemp program that would benefit growers across the state.

“It seems strange to us that there can be thousands of CBD stores selling 1% THC and we are only allowed to have one location for the entire state and we can only sell half the amount of THC. Why is there a market ? ” will be punished? “Asked Denton.

Hemp farmers and medical cannabis producers currently operate under two separate programs in Texas, which means they follow different guidelines. The legislature has put the idea of ​​including a ban on Delta-8 in the hemp bill into action.

“When we hear discussions from state lawmakers who are currently meeting to ban Delta-8 across the state, we are very concerned because we do not want these economic opportunities to be deprived of farmers.” said Maxwell.

“We could make a very reliable, consistent, high-quality Delta-8 product and sell a ton of it, but we see this market as really opaque from a legal, regulatory or regulatory point of view, and we don’t want to.” Enter a market that lacks that clear definition, ”said Denton.

While Denton wants lawmakers to come up with some clear definitions regarding THC, Maxwell says if lawmakers take action it would rather see the state treat Delta-8 like alcohol and tobacco. Legislators are also well on their way to expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, which would allow more Texans to use the plant as a medicine. This would also increase the allowable amount of THC.

A hemp plant appears in this file image. (Spectrum News 1)