Is Delta THC Legal in Indiana?

Indiana Delta-8 THC Overview >
Indiana Delta-9 THC Overview >

What is Delta THC?

In 2017, the Indiana Assembly passed HB 1148, giving patients with epileptic seizures access to cannabis products with no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the main cannabinoid present in hemp and marijuana plants. It can induce euphoria and other psychoactive effects in consumers of THC products. It does this by interacting with the endocannabinoid system of the body, which encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and immune system. THC products sold in Indiana may only be derived from hemp. Industrial hemp is no longer a Schedule 1 drug under federal law. Delta-8, Delta-9 and Delta-10 THC are all legal in Indiana. Smokable or inhalable hemp and Delta-8 flower are, however, prohibited.

THC has a number of analogs such as Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC. These are all similar in chemical structure but produce varying degrees of psychoactive effects. Some other cannabinoids are also being used in various products and sold as THC. They include the following:

• THC-O: A synthetic compound processed by combining naturally-occurring THC with acetic anhydride

• Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THC-P): This is synthetically produced. Its psychoactive effects are reputed to be stronger than those of Delta-9 THC

• Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV): THCV produces powerful effects only when consumed in large amounts. THCV is reputed for its benefits in treating osteoporosis and inflammation

• Tetrahydrocannabihexol (THCh): This THC isomer is naturally present in hemp plants. It is reputed to be more psychoactive than Delta-9 THC and can cause overwhelming feelings of intoxication

• Tetrahydrocannabinol (THCjd): This is among the most recently discovered, alongside THCh. It is naturally present in minute amounts in industrial hemp, and is synthetically processed in order to boost quantity

• Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC): This is an isomer of THC that is present in trace amounts in hemp seeds and pollen. When consumed, HHC-O produces longer-lasting intoxicating effects than Delta-9 THC

• HHC-O: HHC-O is synthetically processed by mixing HHC with acetic anhydride. It produces a stronger psychoactive effect than HHC

THC vs CBD

Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the most prominent cannabinoid present in both hemp and marijuana plants. It exists in higher amounts in marijuana, but present in trace quantities in hemp. THC is typically recommended for the treatment of medical conditions such as cancer, glaucoma, arthritis, and migraines.

CBD, or cannabidiol, is derived from hemp plants. It is the main cannabinoid present in industrial hemp. Unlike THC, CBD produces fewer psychoactive effects. It is used in therapeutic formulas and believed to be beneficial in treating cancer, anxiety, epileptic seizures, migraines, and depression.

CBD metabolites do not typically show up in drug tests. However, if there are trace amounts of THC in the CBD product consumed, the THC will appear in test results. Both THC and CBD are metabolized by the body and stored in the body tissues. THC metabolites can be detected in drug tests.The ability of drug tests to detect THC metabolites depends on factors like the quantity of THC product consumed, the consumers rate of metabolism, and the type of drug test adopted.

What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a compound extracted from hemp plants. It is present in smaller amounts than Delta-9 THC. In order to process Delta-8 THC in commercial quantities, a solvent is added to raw hemp-derived CBD. Delta-8 THC is also known to be less potent than Delta-9 THC. Unlike Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 does not bind easily with the brain's CB1 receptors. Hence, its psychoactive effects are not as intense as those caused by Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 THC induces feelings of euphoria and calmness.

Delta-8 THC can be detected by drug tests. This will invariably depend on the type of drug test conducted and the period between the last consumption and the test. Traces of Delta-8 THC can be found in urine if the test is conducted within 30 days from the time of consumption. Delta-8 THC can be detected by a drug test carried out within 12 hours from the time of consumption.

Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Indiana?

Under Indiana law, all hemp-derived Delta-8 products are legal, with the exception of Delta-8 flower and smokable hemp. In 2019, the Senate Enrolled Act 516 (SEA 516) banned the consumption of Delta-8 products which can either be smoked or inhaled. Indiana's SEA 516 was ostensibly passed in order to implement the provisions of the Federal Farm Bill of 2018. There have been several legislative attempts to reverse the ban on smokable hemp and Delta-8 flower in Indiana. Delta-8 gummies, topicals, tinctures, oils, and edible products are still legal.

Indiana residents who are registered for low THC cannabis can purchase Delta-8 THC in licensed dispensaries. Delta-8 THC products such as vapes and gummies can also be ordered online. It is also permitted to cross state lines with Delta-8 THC products. This means that visitors to Indiana will not face any legal prosecution if found in possession of hemp-derived Delta-8 THC products with more than 0.3% THC.

What is Delta-9 THC?

Delta-9 THC is the most abundant cannabinoid present in cannabis plants of either the marijuana or hemp variant. It is a phytocannabinoid that is known to react strongly with the body's CB1 receptors. Delta-9 THC is more potent than Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC.

Delta-9 THC is claimed to be helpful in treating conditions such as glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and epileptic seizures. It also helps to stimulate appetite and relieve chronic pain.

Delta-9 THC can show up in drug tests, depending on how often the individual consumes Delta-9 THC-infused products, and whether the test examines a urine, blood, saliva, or hair follicle sample.A saliva test conducted within 24 hours of consumption will produce a positive result for Delta-9 THC. The THC metabolite THC-COOH can be detected by a urine test conducted within 30 days of consumption. Human hair preserves THC for a longer period than any other body tissue: drug tests conducted 90 days after consumption of a THC product can detect the presence of the compound. A drug test can detect the presence of Delta-9 THC in the blood up to 12 hours after the product was consumed.

Is Delta-9 THC Legal in Indiana?

Delta-9 THC products are legal in Indiana, provided they are derived solely from hemp plants, and have a THC content not exceeding 0.3%. Under Indiana law, only persons who are 21 and over can legally purchase Delta-9 THC products. Because Delta-9 THC is legal across the U.S., it can be shipped into Indiana from other states. CBD dispensaries in Indiana and online vendors sell Delta-9 THC products.

What is Delta-10 THC?

Delta-10 THC is a cannabinoid processed from industrial hemp. It is similar in chemical structure to Delta-9 THC. Although a psychoactive compound, it does not produce effects as intense as those caused by either Delta-9 THC or Delta-8 THC. Delta-10 THC products are consumed for their assumed therapeutic benefits in reducing nausea and anxiety, as well as in stimulating appetite.

Like other Delta THC products, Delta-10 THC can be detected by drug tests. Factors such as frequency of consumption and the type of test sample will determine the result of the test.

Is Delta-10 THC Legal in Indiana?

Yes, Delta-10 THC is legal in Indiana. However, all Delta-10 THC products sold in the state must be processed only from industrial hemp and must contain a maximum of 0.3% THC. Industrial hemp is not classified as a controlled substance under Indiana law. Delta-10 THC is legal under federal law and only persons aged 21 and over can legally purchase Delta-10 THC products in Indiana. Indiana has strict limits on the amount of Delta-10 THC that can be possessed.