You may have seen signs advertising Delta 8 at CBD and vape shops. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has heard from viewers with concerns about what it is, what it can do and if it’s legal.What is Delta-8? Watch the report above.”Delta-9 THC is the main active ingredient in marijuana, and that’s the chemical that gives people the high or the buzz they seek when they use marijuana,” said Dr. Tony Pizon, chief of medical toxicology at UPMC. “Delta-8 THC, on the other hand, is structurally very similar to Delta-9 marijuana, but just less potent.”So, it has the same clinical effects as Delta-9 but it’s just not as strong.”Delta-8 is technically legal in Pennsylvania,” said Pizon.It comes in many forms, including edibles like gummies and oils.Pizon urges Pittsburghers to stay away from it and its more potent cousin, Delta-9, which is not legal in Pennsylvania for recreational use.”Taking Delta-8 is no different than taking Delta-9, so it has lots of ramifications if you’re a young child, adolescent, not prescribed. Basically, you’re using a product that’s going to give you a high similar to Delta-9,” Pizon said.Delta-8 is not like taking CBD for pain, insomnia, or anxiety. If you take it, don’t get behind the wheel.”You’ll see the same things in terms of hallucinations, altered mental status, somnolence, increased appetite,” Pizon said.There’s something else to keep in mind if you ingest Delta-8.”Delta-8 will more likely trigger a likely positive marijuana drug screen, just like Delta-9 and traditional marijuana, so that could get people into trouble if they need to test urine drug screens for work,” Pizon said.Delta-8 products derived from hemp can only be purchased in Pennsylvania by people 21 and older.
PITTSBURGH —
You may have seen signs advertising Delta 8 at CBD and vape shops. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 has heard from viewers with concerns about what it is, what it can do and if it’s legal.
What is Delta-8? Watch the report above.
“Delta-9 THC is the main active ingredient in marijuana, and that’s the chemical that gives people the high or the buzz they seek when they use marijuana,” said Dr. Tony Pizon, chief of medical toxicology at UPMC. “Delta-8 THC, on the other hand, is structurally very similar to Delta-9 marijuana, but just less potent.”
So, it has the same clinical effects as Delta-9 but it’s just not as strong.
“Delta-8 is technically legal in Pennsylvania,” said Pizon.
It comes in many forms, including edibles like gummies and oils.
Pizon urges Pittsburghers to stay away from it and its more potent cousin, Delta-9, which is not legal in Pennsylvania for recreational use.
“Taking Delta-8 is no different than taking Delta-9, so it has lots of ramifications if you’re a young child, adolescent, not prescribed. Basically, you’re using a product that’s going to give you a high similar to Delta-9,” Pizon said.
Delta-8 is not like taking CBD for pain, insomnia, or anxiety. If you take it, don’t get behind the wheel.
“You’ll see the same things in terms of hallucinations, altered mental status, somnolence, increased appetite,” Pizon said.
There’s something else to keep in mind if you ingest Delta-8.
“Delta-8 will more likely trigger a likely positive marijuana drug screen, just like Delta-9 and traditional marijuana, so that could get people into trouble if they need to test urine drug screens for work,” Pizon said.
Delta-8 products derived from hemp can only be purchased in Pennsylvania by people 21 and older.
