What is Delta 10 THC?

Photo by Shannon L. Price via shutterstock.com

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical compound found within the cannabis plant that’s responsible for getting its users high. While most marijuana enthusiasts are pretty familiar with THC and its effects, a lot of people are just learning that there are actually many different forms of THC—to put that into perspective, there have been 113 different cannabinoids discovered in the cannabis plant thus far!

The most well known form of THC is delta-9 THC. It’s the most abundant psychoactive compound in the marijuana plant and is the compound that’s responsible for the high we feel when we smoke, vape, or eat it.

Other THC compounds, such as delta-8, have begun to make a name for themselves as well. And as scientists and cannabis researchers continue to discover more compounds within the cannabis plant, we’ll continue to see even more cannabinoids take their turn in the limelight.

This time, the spotlight is on delta-10 THC.

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What is Delta 10 Cannabinoid?

Delta-10 THC is a cannabinoid just like delta-8 and delta-9. However, delta-10 is found in extremely trace quantities within the hemp plant; in fact, its presence is so scarce that it was almost a miracle it was found at all.

Some of the best scientific discoveries of our time have happened by accident—and delta-10 is no exception. California-based cannabis company Fusion Farms accidentally discovered the chemical compound delta-10 THC during a process of extracting and purifying their cannabis crops that had been previously affected by fire retardants used in the wake of local wildfires.

In doing so, they discovered a chemical compound that looked very similar to delta-9—but just different enough for someone to notice. A mix of cannabis, science, and luck created what we now know and enjoy as delta-10 THC.

How Does Delta-10 Work?

The way delta-10 THC works in the body is the same way that delta-8 and Delta-9 do: through the body’s cannabinoid receptor system.

The human body contains something called the ECS, or endocannabinoid system. This system comprises two different types of cannabis receptors—CB1 (or cannabis receptor type one) which is found in the central nervous system, and CB2 (or cannabis receptor type two) which is found in the immune system.

The body’s cannabinoid receptors react to the chemical compounds within the cannabis plant and can affect things such as your mood, appetite, sleep, and brain function. All forms of THC—delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10—react with the cannabinoid receptors in the body to produce the feelings and potential medicinal benefits we’ve come to know (and love) from the cannabis plant.

What are the Differences Between Delta-8 and Delta-10?

Although delta-10 is similar in a lot of ways to delta-8 and delta-9 THC (mostly on a molecular level) there still are a couple of important differences to note.

Delta-8 and delta-10 THC are both considered “minor” cannabinoids since they’re found in such trace amounts, but delta-10 is found in significantly smaller quantities than delta-8. Additionally, the experience you have on delta-8 may not be quite the same as your experience on delta-10. 

Delta-10 is said to have a lot milder effects than delta-9 or even delta-8. It gives us a lot of the benefits of the marijuana plant without the icky side effects (paranoia, lethargy, anxiety, etc.)

Is Delta-8 or Delta-10 Stronger?

You might ask, “What is delta-10 like?”, “Is delta-10 stronger than delta-8?”. Technically, delta-8 is stronger than delta-10 by about 10%. They’re mostly just a bit different in the way that they may make you feel. According to the personal anecdotal experience described by certain cannabis users, delta-10 is said to give more of a high-vibrational and energizing high, while delta-8 is said to give more of a low-vibrational and relaxing high.

In order of strength from strongest to weakest, we’d rank them:

1. Delta-9 THC

2. Delta-8 THC

3. Delta-10 THC

4. CBD

A lot of people have described delta-8 as more similar to a traditional Indica, and delta-10 as more similar to a traditional Sativa. Because of this, some might consider the feelings of delta-8 to be stronger than the feelings of delta-10, or vice-versa––but ultimately, the answer is going to come down to each user’s unique, individual experience.

Is Delta-10 Safe to Consume?

The research on delta-10 THC so far all points to it being just as safe as any other cannabinoid to consume. Although there hasn’t been any explicit evidence to the contrary, it is essential to note that many versions of THC are brand new and unregulated within the market. Therefore, it can be hard to promise unwavering safety due to a lack of research, regulation, and studies on long-term effects.

The most important thing that you can do is to make sure you’re buying the best and the safest delta-10 products you can find. It’s vital to do thorough research and find reputable and transparent companies that provide full panel lab testing that shows results for no pesticides, residual solvents, or toxic compounds.

What Are the Effects of Delta-10?

While it’s important to remember that cannabis will affect each and every user differently, those who have used delta-10 have reported feeling effects such as:

• More energy

• Increased clarity and focus

• Heightened or uplifted mood

• A mild “high” or psychoactive experience

Disclaimer: All research on the effects of delta-10 thus far is anecdotal and comes from personal consumer experience. There is still much research to be done on the full effects of delta-10 THC.

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Will Delta-10 Get You High?

This answer depends on who you ask.

Delta-10 is similar to delta-9 in that it is not nearly as potent as traditional delta-9 THC. So, for someone who is a regular cannabis smoker, delta-10 (just like delta-8) won’t really pack the same punch as delta-9. This will allow for a much more mellow experience for someone who may have a higher tolerance for THC.

On the other hand, if you are someone who only uses CBD or who doesn’t regularly use cannabis products at all, delta-10 will most likely produce relatively potent feelings of being high. Delta-10 is perfect for someone who is thinking about dabbling in the psychoactive properties of the cannabis plant but isn’t quite ready to jump into the super strong stuff.

Is Delta 10 Legal?

Like every other aspect of the American cannabis industry, this answer is always changing. Because of the volatile cannabis laws in the United States, the answer differs on both federal and state levels. Right now, delta-10 is federally legal––but on a state-by-state level, that’s a different story.

In 2018, the United States passed the Farm Bill, which introduced new regulations on hemp and the compounds that can be extracted from hemp. Under federal law, any amount of THC under 0.3% was legal for production, sale, and consumption. The discovery of cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 fit into a legal “loophole” of sorts, allowing cannabis scientists and companies to take advantage of these trace amounts of THC.

As of September 2021, delta-10 is legal in all U.S. states with the exception of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Utah, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, and Rhode Island.

Remember, this answer is always subject to change. Make sure you are always doing research and due diligence on your state’s up-to-date cannabis laws.

Will You Fail A Drug Test On Delta-10?

Yes, you will fail a drug test on delta-10. Even though it’s not as strong, delta-10 is still a compound of THC, and as such it will trigger a positive result on a drug test––just like delta-8 and delta-9 THC.

(Surprisingly, even some strong strains of CBD can trigger a positive drug test as well. It’s incredibly important to use cannabis products responsibly!)

How Long Does Delta-10 Stay in Your System?

Even though it’s less potent, the duration of the “high” you’ll feel on delta-10 will last just as long as other types of THC. In terms of passing a drug test, on average, it will take approximately 48 hours for the THC to leave your system––and this includes blood, urine, hair, and saliva tests.

This answer also depends on a couple of variables: your weight, age, sex, and general health come into play, as well as how frequently you’re using delta-10. With these variables, forms of THC can stay in your system up to 30 days.

If you’re consuming it in some form (edibles, vapes, flower, etc) every day, it’s going to build up and stay in your system for a longer period of time. If you’ve just used it once (or even just a couple of times) it will leave your system much quicker.

Where to Buy Delta-10 THC?

Right now, the best way to buy delta-10 is online. Delta-10 THC is federally legal and available in most U.S. states. It can be ordered online, shipped to your door, and comes in an array of different products such as tinctures, edibles, vapes, and flowers. 

As of September 2021, Delta-10 is currently legal in the following states:

• Alabama
• California
• Connecticut
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Once again, this answer is always subject to change. Make sure you are always doing research and due diligence on your state’s up-to-date cannabis laws.

In Conclusion

Delta-10 THC is just another incredible discovery in the vast world of cannabis. Since the cannabis industry in America is so young, so is a lot of the research––which is why we’re seeing such rapid innovation as more and more states begin to legalize all parts of the cannabis plant.

All cannabinoids have important and unique roles to play. Everyone knows and loves popular cannabinoids CBD and (delta-9) THC, but as the innovations continue, cannabinoids like delta-8 and delta-10 are proving themselves to be useful in their own individual ways.

Delta-10 has the ability to open up more doors to people who may be interested in getting themselves acquainted with cannabis but aren’t ready to  jump into full-strength THC. Allowing cannabinoids to be explored that are beneficial for cannabis users of all skill levels will only make the industry even more inclusive.