Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC sound almost the same — chemically, only a single double bond separates them. Nevertheless, they are treated completely differently in Austria and the EU. We explain the differences (Delta-8 vs Delta-9), what this means for customers and why our products made from 100% Austrian hemp deliberately contain no psychoactive THC content.
What are Delta-8-THC and Delta-9-THC?
Both are cannabinoids — natural active substances from the hemp plant. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9-THC) is the best-known psychoactive substance in cannabis. Delta-8-THC is a related isomer that occurs in the plant only in very small amounts and is usually produced semi-synthetically.
Delta-8 vs Delta-9: the chemical difference
The only structural difference: the position of a double bond in the carbon chain — for Delta-9 at the 9th atom, for Delta-8 at the 8th.
Effects compared
- Delta-9-THC: strongly psychoactive, causes the classic “high”.
- Delta-8-THC: also psychoactive, usually described by consumers as milder and clearer — but there is little research on this.
- CBD (for comparison): not psychoactive, no intoxication, freely available for sale.