What Is Delta-9 THC — And Is D9 Legal in All 50 States?

Delta-9 THC is the most famous cannabinoid of all. (It might just be the most infamous cannabinoid out there, too!)

Though it has more than a few close relatives, delta-9’s powerful high and once-taboo status set it apart. Let’s see what else makes delta-9 so special before taking a look at its legality in the states. Here’s an outline of what you can expect to read about:

• What is delta-9 THC?
• Delta-9 THC vs. other cannabinoids
• Delta-9 THC: 9 top benefits
• Is delta-9 THC legal?
• Have any states banned THC?
• The many types of [D9] THC

What is delta-9 THC?

Delta-9 is the primary active ingredient in cannabis. It’s also the second-most active ingredient in most varieties of hemp. Fully mature cannabis flower can be up to 30-35% THC by weight. Hemp comes in much lower at 0.2-0.3% THC.

Delta-9 THC has a pleasantly unique ability to affect the human brain. It passes through the blood-brain barrier with ease, then proceeds to bind to special neuroreceptors like some sort of long-lost puzzle piece. This binding ability makes delta-9 powerfully mind-altering. Its most common effects include bliss, euphoria, calmness, and introspection. Delta-9 can trigger effects as diverse as energy, hunger, and sleepiness in the span of a single experience. There’s a reason it’s so popular! 

Before all these new altnoids came around — think delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, THC-O, etc —  delta-9 THC was usually just referred to as ‘THC.’ (We’ll occasionally be calling it by its simple name in this article!) Let’s look at how regular THC compares to other top cannabinoids below. 

Delta-9 THC vs. other cannabinoids

Delta-9 vs CBD

Delta-9 THC and CBD are practical opposites. How so? THC acts mostly on CB1 receptors within the brain…while CBD acts on CB2 receptors within the rest of the body. [1]

Compared to THC, CBD has very few psychotropic (mind-altering) effects. With incredibly diverse antioxidant, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory benefits, CBD is pretty amazing — but it falls short if immersive bliss is what you’re after. 

The good news is that CBD and THC aren’t mutually exclusive. Feel free to use and benefit from both cannabinoids, perhaps in the form of our full spectrum CBD +THC oil.

Delta-9 vs delta-8

Delta-8 THC is an isomer (nearly identical variant) of ‘regular’ THC. It’s slightly less potent than its older sibling. Some advocates have taken to calling delta-8 “THC lite.” True to its nickname, delta-8 makes a perfect entryway into more psychotropic cannabis compounds. Delta-8 is also great for cannabis enthusiasts who live in areas where large amounts of delta-9 aren’t yet legal. 

Delta-9 vs delta-10

Delta-9 is slightly more powerful than delta-10 THC, too. Despite the numerology involved, delta-10 is actually more similar to delta-8 than it is to regular old D9. Delta-10’s high is generally more energizing as well. 

Delta-9 THC: 9 top benefits

Let’s shift our attention to delta-9 THC and its very best health benefits. We’ve managed to come up with 9 of them!

Actually…let’s cover a sort of root benefit first. At the heart of delta-9’s many beneficial branches is something super simple: it’s able to reduce cellular stress. As country music star and cannabis culture icon Willi Nelson once said, “the biggest killer on the planet is stress…and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”

It’s true. THC’s ability to prevent your body from getting into super-stressed-out mode leads to a variety of physical, mental, hormonal, and even spiritual benefits. Stress is a major causal factor of sleep problems, chronic pain, and degenerative disease. THC may cut off stress before it becomes entrenched for good. [1][2]

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s dive into those 9 top benefits! Delta-9 THC may:

1. Reduce chronic aches and pains [3]
2. Improve sleep quality and quantity [4]
3. Improve sociability and social intelligence [5]
4. Improve body composition (seriously!) [6]
5. Help your body cleanly burn fat for fuel [7]
6. Improve creativity and systems thinking
7. Improve overall neurotransmission
8. Assist with immune regulation
9. Help you keep calm and carry on! 

In super simple terms, THC tends to make its users feel really, really good. Even pharmacologists who may have never tried THC attest to its ability to help people “eat, sleep, relax, and forget.” If that doesn’t sound healing, we’re not sure what does! Delta-9 THC can be so restorative that some users have had success using it to wean off of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. 

Is delta-9 THC legal?

Now for the second subset of this article: delta-9 THC’s legality. 

You may be thinking that delta-9 is illegal, with the sole exception of states that have some type of cannabis program…But that’s actually not true. Delta-9 THC is actually conditionally legal throughout the United States. 

Allow us to explain. Hemp-derived THC is actually federally legal per the same farm bills that legalized CBD, CBG, CBN, delta-8 THC, etc. The farm bill also states that products can’t contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. But even this trace percentage adds up to much more than you might think. A hemp gummy that weighs four grams could pack in up to 10 milligrams of delta-9 while still staying within the confines of the law. That’s a lot!  [8]

We also recommend that those under the age of 21 stay away from CBD+THC products. It’s not totally clear if this group is ‘eligible’ to use hemp-derived THC. 

Have any states banned THC?

So far most states have kept in step with hemp-derived THC’s federal legality. Almost all states, in fact. As of August 2022 Idaho is the only state that’s explicitly banned hemp-derived delta-9. The state’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act makes it clear that no amount of THC or any of its isomers are permitted, even in hemp-derived products. [9]

Delta-9’s legality has also been called into question by Vermont, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. So far, though, these states are still pretty welcoming of all things hemp-derived.

The many types of [D9] THC

Delta-9 products come in a variety of shapes and sizes. That’s true of both hemp-derived D9 products and D9 products in general. When it comes to the hemp-derived stuff, top options include THC seltzers, gummies, chocolates, and tried-and-true oils. 

If you’re looking to narrow things down consider trying our Daily Buzz Gummies — they were one of the first products to kick off the hemp-derived D9 craze. These Gummies contain 5mg of 100% legal THC each. (And they taste pretty amazing, too.)

Summing things up

At fiveTM CBD we aim to provide you with the freshest, purest, and most legal hemp-derived products in the world. Check out our legal THC+CBD options if you haven’t already! We think you’ll love their blissful-yet-balanced effects. 

And don’t fret if delta-9’s not legal in your state. It’ll probably be legalized soon, and until that time comes…we simply won’t ship it to you.