Differing marijuana legalization at the state and federal levels has left lingering discussions about individual substances and their legality. Does Delta 8 show up on a drug test? Delta 8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is a compound that appears naturally in small amounts in marijuana. Delta-8 THC isn’t the only compound in marijuana, alongside Delta-9, Delta-10, CBD, and others in much smaller concentrations.
There are over 480 compounds produced inside a marijuana plant that might (or might not) contribute to its effects. While research is still ongoing, it’s believed Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC are the principal active ingredients. Today we’ll be looking at just what Delta 8 is and whether it shows up on a drug test.
Delta 8 and Drug Tests
The shortest answer is: Yes, Delta 8 can show up on drug tests. Delta 8 expresses itself in urine, therefore a urine test will reveal the presence of the drug in your system.
However, with 33 states passing marijuana legislation of their own and federal steps towards the same, many employers seek alternatives. This has led to using new 10-panel drug tests that test for other substances and exclude THC.
If Delta 8 is being screened for, it can be found and lead to a test failure. If the substance is legal in your state, though, it shouldn’t be screened for alongside other illegal substances. This all depends on the policy in your state.
What is Delta 8?
What is Delta 8? Delta 8 THC is a chemically-different variant of THC found naturally in marijuana. Like other THC variants, Delta 8 can produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and aid in pain relief. Delta 8 typically has side effects including red eyes, dry mouth, and slowed reaction time. These are similar to other THC variants, such as Delta 9. These similarities make sense since chemically speaking it’s very similar to other variants of THC.
The eight in Delta 8 refers to the placement of a double carbon bond in their chemical makeup. The double bond occurs in the eighth chain of the carbon molecule in Delta 8. In Delta 9, the bond occurs on the ninth chain of the carbon molecule. This similarity and its low amounts in marijuana have led to some companies synthetically deriving Delta 8 from other compounds.
While it’s clear where Delta 8’s from when smoked if consumed synthetically there may be some doubt about its sourcing. If you’re in a state where marijuana use is legal, you may have seen products claiming to contain Delta-8. If only sourced naturally, it would be very costly and difficult to gather Delta-8 in a large concentration.
Where Does Delta-8 Come From?
Since it occurs in such small qualities, chemists have begun synthesizing Delta-8 to create many of these products. This usually is synthesized from Delta-9 THC or CBD, but not necessarily so. Delta-8 THC is not regulated and is technically not federally legal. It can still be sold in some states, so it occupies something of a gray area in terms of regulation.
Since Delta-8 is poorly regulated, it can be unclear where and how the substance is sourced from or derived. Both the CDC and FDA have noted increased calls to poison control centers regarding Delta-8 usage. In some instances, these require medical care or sometimes hospitalization.
Soteria Drug Screening has over 10,000 facilities in the US. Depending on the needs of your state, we can screen for a variety of substances. These include screenings for marijuana, alcohol, opioids, and amphetamines. We work hard to provide the fast trustworthy results you need, including real-time status updates. We also offer discounts on our already affordable tests with a company account. Call or talk to one of our representatives today to find out more.
