Cannabis is a unique plant. Each strain has its unique properties and health and wellness benefits. The differences in the strains are not so glaring, though. All cannabis strains contain similar cannabinoids, but the difference comes in their concentrations. 

The difference in the cannabis strains all comes down to the psychoactive strength. Natural strains are Indica and Sativa, but there are hybrids of the two as well. So, what is the actual difference between the two strains, and which one is best for making delta 8 products? 

 

Differences Between Indica and Sativa 

The names marijuana and hemp can be confusing to many people. To some, they simply refer to the same plant, while to others, they are entirely different. In fact, hemp is legal in some places, but you can be arrested for possession of marijuana. Why is this so?

Not many people, including cannabis users, have seen the whole plant before it is plucked or crushed into powder. Most users just get their flowers or other products in their final stage. But for growers, the differences between Sativa and Indica are observable. 

 

Sativa

Cannabis Sativa plants are slimmer and taller. The leaves are also thinner and longer. In terms of experience, Sativa gives a more potent high. Sativa has a higher psychoactive effect, leaving the user feeling creative and full of energy. 

 

Indica

Cannabis Indica plants appear bushier and much shorter. The leaves are also shorter and winder. The experience one gets from Indica is that of the body rather than the mind. It is more sedating and leads to increased appetite and increased relaxation. 

While Indica and Sativa plants may have slight differences in appearance, the chemical composition is what leads to their categorization. This is because the growing conditions can influence chemical composition even in plants of the same strain. 

 

Cannabinoid Concentrations

Cannabis plants contain over one hundred cannabinoids. These are the chemical constituents contributing to the plant’s positive and negative effects. Scientists still don’t understand the roles of all the cannabinoids. However, the two main ones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), are better understood and used to distinguish the two strains. 

THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that contributes to the plant’s euphoric effects. Its levels are used to identify whether a plant is hemp or marijuana (Sativa). 

Sativa plants have higher concentrations of THC. The law considers legal cannabis plants with 0.03% of THC. Since Sativa plants generally have higher levels, they are outrightly banned. Researchers also believe that THC’s negative impacts outweigh its benefits.

CBD is non-psychoactive but can be powerfully sedating. It also has other medicinal benefits, including pain reduction, seizure prevention, and nausea prevention. CBD does not have similar adverse effects as THC, and researchers consider it relatively safe. 

Indica plants are richer in CBD than THC, making them legal. A typical Indica plant will have less than 0.03% THC natural composition. However, this is not necessarily the case since growing conditions can influence cannabinoid composition. 

 

The Right Delta 8 THC Strain

Delta-8 THC occurs only in trace amounts naturally. Moreover, even the cannabis plant does not synthesize Delta-8 THC. This sounds a bit confusing. Delta-8 THC is actually a byproduct of Delta-9 THC. It is produced during the oxidation of Delta-9 THC. 

Delta-8 THC is an analog of Delta-9 THC. So, the glaring question is, should you get your Delta-8 THC from the THC-rich Sativa strain? That would seem like the obvious thing to do, but Delta-9 THC is illegal and cannot be used in commercial products. 

If Delta-8 THC occurs in trace quantities, it means it occurs in even much lower levels in Indica strains that have low levels of Delta-9 THC. Sativa would be the best strain to get Delta-8 THC, but since it is illegal, you are left with Indica. Any Delta-8 THC products you’ll find around come from industrial hemp (Indica) with Delta-9 THC levels under 0.03%. 

 

How to Get Delta-8 THC

It is not viable to extract Delta-8 THC from hemp because it occurs in minimal concentrations. The cost would be unbearable. So, manufacturers opt for commercial synthesis as the primary option. This involves converting CBD to Delta-8 THC. But the law also does not allow commercial synthesis of Delta-8 THC because it involves the use of solvents, reagents, and acids that could be harmful. 

The simplest way of getting your Delta-8 THC is by extracting it as a distillate then spraying it on CBD flowers. So, when you come across Delta-8 THC flowers, it is a CBD flower sprayed with Delta-8 THC distillate. 

 

Conclusion

Delta-8 THC is increasingly becoming popular since it is less potent. It provides the medicinal benefits packed in THC without the intense psychoactive effects of Delta-9 THC. This cannabinoid also does not have severe side effects such as anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis, making Delta-9 THC intolerable to some users. Delta-8 THC is safe even for children, making it a novel product that could rival CBD.