Court Confirms Delta-8 THC is Legal – The Paper.

This may come as a blow to activists who are concerned that an unregulated market around the drug could lead to public health problems, and that delta-8 THC will be able to fall into the hands of children.

The most prominent cannabinoid found in cannabis is delta-9 THC. When a consumer purchases marijuana from a dispensary, this is the compound referred to as “THC” on the label. Delta-8 THC is a similar cannabinoid that is also found in marijuana in smaller concentrations. It is reportedly a milder intoxicant than delta-9 THC. Users claim it promotes relaxation and euphoria while also providing pain relief. It’s said that the drug is psychoactive but provides a less intense high than cannabis.

The legality of this cannabinoid has been a hot topic for months. Clever extractors have learned how to process hemp-derived CBD into delta-8 THC all while remaining well within the confines of the law. But a number of states have already moved to enact local laws banning the substance.

A case of counterfeit products has brought the matter to the attention of federal judges. According to court documents, an e-cigarette company sued a storefront for allegedly selling counterfeits of its delta-8 THC vaping products. The storefront countered that the company could not hold protectable trademarks for its products because delta-8 THC “remains illegal under federal law.”

In its ruling, the court recognized that delta-8 THC was a psychoactive compound but confirmed that it was legal as long as it was extracted from hemp.

“Regardless of the wisdom of legalizing delta-8 THC products, this Court will not substitute its own policy judgment for that of Congress,” Judge D. Michael Fisher wrote in the ruling, which passed unanimously.

Fans of the drug aren’t out of the woods yet, however. Federal agencies have their eye on the compound and have already started signaling that they want to regulate or even ban it altogether. Last month the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings to five companies ordering them to stop making health claims about their delta-8 THC products. The agency also published a warning to consumers about the potential health risks of the drug.