In this information-rich age, shouldn’t it be easy to find the answers to straightforward questions like, is Delta 8 legal in Florida? We think so, which is why we wrote this article to explain the nuances of the legalities surrounding Delta 8 THC.
We’ll also briefly dive into the various cannabinoids, the endocannabinoid system of the human body, and what you should consider when buying a cannabinoid product.
If you’re just interested in learning the best Delta 8 products to buy in Florida, feel free to skip to our list of top five Delta 8 THC products. We’ve already vetted them for quality, potency, and impurity. If you have the time to thoroughly read this article, though, we’re confident you’ll at least come away with one new talking point in group settings.
If you’re a less experienced THC user, we encourage you to take the time to read through this article in its entirety, as it lays out foundational cannabinoid knowledge. Let’s get into it!
Top Delta 8 Products
1. Everest Delta 8 THC Gummies
2. Bearly Legal Delta 8 THC Gummies
3. PharmaCBD Hemp Derived Delta 8 THC Cherry Sours Edibles
4. BudPop Strawberry Gelato Delta 8 THC Gummies
5. Just Delta Watermelon Supernova Delta 8 Gummies
A Quick Cannabis Overview
For many years, cannabis was illegal to manufacture and use because of one molecule: Delta 9 THC. Law enforcement and regulatory agencies have tried for years to suppress the use of this substance because of its ability to get people “high.”
But cannabis is so much more than Delta 9 THC in that it contains over 100 different cannabinoids (scientifically called phytocannabinoids because they’re plant based). There are three main strains of cannabis that you’ll likely run across in your readings: cannabis sativa, cannabis indica, and cannabis ruderalis.
We mentioned the three strains you’re likely to run across because each strain has a different proportion of cannabinoids that ultimately offer a different effect in the human body. The main difference between cannabis sativa and cannabis indica is the proportions of cannabinoids that each plant contains. The Cannabis sativa variety contains relatively more THC compared to CBD, which can have a greater cerebral effect. On the other hand, cannabis indica contains more CBD comparative to THC, which has a bigger effect on physiological symptoms.
The Most Common Kinds of Cannabis
Before we go further, let’s look at the most common types of cannabis products you’ll see on the market today. There are three types of CBD we’ll cover and two types of THC.
Full-Spectrum CBD
Full-spectrum CBD usually comes from the cannabis indica (hemp) plant and includes all the cannabinoids of the cannabis plant, including 0.3% THC.
Some believe that full-spectrum products are the most effective because they can lead to the entourage effect. The entourage effect describes the phenomenon in which other cannabinoids enhance the effects of other cannabinoids in your body. When used together, they can produce different effects than you’d get if you used CBD isolate.
This product does contain 0.3% THC or less, which has been known to trigger a positive on urinary drug tests. If you face regular drug testing, it might not be the product for you.
Broad-Spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD products contain all the cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis plant except it’s undergone additional processing to remove the THC component. These products take advantage of the entourage effect while minimizing the risk of showing up positive on a urinary drug screen test.
Because of these characteristics, broad-spectrum CBD products have become one of the most popular CBD products.
CBD Isolate
Those seeking cannabidiol and nothing else will want to select a CBD isolate product. These products are refined, so that they contain only CBD. There’s no risk of coming up positive on a drug test, and you can utilize one of the most researched cannabinoids available.
CBD isolate has even been used as the basis of an FDA-approved drug that treats rare epileptic conditions in children. Because it’s considered safe to use in this capacity, many people trust it more.
Delta 8 THC
Here’s the subject of our article. Delta 8 THC is a very light form of THC. It refers to the THC that’s removed from the hemp plant. Because THC makes up less than 0.3% of the hemp plant, it’s legal to remove this THC and process it into what we know as Delta 8. Then, manufacturers can put it into products like gummies.
Keep in mind that Delta 8 is legal at the federal level, but the legality varies by state. So you don’t want to purchase it online where it’s not legal or try to enter a state with it when it’s restricted.
Delta 9 THC
Delta 9 THC is more commonly referred to as just THC. It’s derived from marijuana and is responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. In most products you’ll buy, Delta 9 THC is considered to be at least double the potency of Delta 8.
Since Delta 9 THC is the specific molecule classified as a schedule 1 substance, Delta 8 THC technically bypasses this legality issue at the federal level. Some states recognize Delta 8 THC as a workaround to Delta 9 and have made the molecule illegal at the state level.
Your Endocannabinoid System
Knowing how cannabinoids work in your body can help you understand the legality of various types of cannabis.
The human body naturally has an endocannabinoid system, which is a set of receptors and cannabinoid-like molecules. The receptors interact with cannabinoids entering the bloodstream, which ultimately produces an effect throughout the body. The endocannabinoid system runs through the brain and spinal cord, which make up the central nervous system (CNS). It also runs through the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which is basically everything outside the CNS.
Different cannabinoids interact with receptors in your body to produce particular effects. There are two primary types of cannabinoid receptors in the human body. The CB1 receptor and the CB2 receptors. The CB1 receptors run through the CNS while the CB2 receptors run through the PNS.
When phytocannabinoids enter the human blood stream, they interact with the CB1 and CB2 receptors. The effect is commonly compared to how a dimmer light switch works. The cannabinoids that meet endocannabinoid receptors can turn the receptors off, on, or partially off/on. As a result, certain physical or mental feelings can be enhanced, dimmed, or even eliminated temporarily while the cannabinoids remain in your system.
The cannabinoid molecules that interact with your CB1 receptors can produce a psychogenic or mind-altering effect. In other words, they can get you “high.” These are various types of THC molecules; the stronger the THC, the stronger the effect in the CNS.
Delta 8 THC, like Delta 9 THC, interacts with the CB1 receptors of the brain and spinal cord. Delta 8 THC has half the potency of Delta 9 THC, because of the different placement of one double bond.
Let’s look at another important piece of the puzzle that separates different cannabinoids effects. In between the CNS and PNS lies a barrier that helps protect the spine and brain. THC molecules are lipophilic, meaning fatty, and they can cross the barrier that separates the brain and spinal cord from the rest of the body. Other cannabinoids that interact with the CB2 receptor can’t cross that barrier and therefore don’t have a psychoactive effect.
The cannabinoid you most commonly hear about that interacts with the CB2 receptors is cannabidiol, or CBD. This is the hemp product that took the U.S. by storm after the 2018 Farm Bill made it legal on the federal level. Research into CBD’s effects on the brain show that because it can’t cross that barrier and interact with the CB1 receptors, it can’t make you high. Therefore, it shouldn’t be classified as a schedule 1 drug like it was for so many years.
Because different types of cannabinoids interact with different receptors in the endocannabinoid system, it becomes clear why so many people are interested in cannabis products that contain CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids. You get a much different effect when you get all the cannabinoids working together, and most people enjoy this “entourage effect” immensely.
The Legal Status of Cannabinoids
You’ve been very patient while learning more about cannabinoids, and now we’re getting closer to the heart of the issue. Hang in there just a bit longer!
Cannabinoids and cannabinoid-containing products with less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC are legal in the U.S. at the federal level. This became state law with a passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized the commercial use of the industrial hemp plant as long as it contained less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.
Delta 9 THC is listed as a schedule 1 controlled substance, which means there’s no government-recognized medical use for this substance, and it’s illegal to use and possess at the federal level.
That being said, states can pass their own laws for use of these substances by their residents. This is usually where the confusion comes into play with cannabinoids.
Some states even set laws that limit the types of cannabinoid products that can be sold within state lines. Cannabidiol products can be broken into three primary classifications: full-spectrum products, broad-spectrum products, CBD isolates.
Is Delta 8 Legal in Florida?
Fortunately for those living in Florida, it’s legal to buy and consume Delta 8 within state lines. This ruling is based on the 2018 Farm Bill that allowed the growth and manufacturing of the hemp crop in the United States.
It’s unlikely that this ruling will change; however, lawmakers are pushing for greater regulation of the drug. They want to regulate who can sell Delta 8, age restrictions for buyers, safe hemp growing practices, medical recommendations, and more.
Keep an eye on changing regulations surrounding Delta 8 in Florida to make sure you’re abiding by the laws there.
Considerations When Buying Delta 8 in Florida
Supplements are not tightly regulated by the FDA like other food and drugs are. As such, you can’t always fully trust the label of a supplement.
In this case, Delta 8 is considered a supplement, and if you’re going to buy it in Florida, you need to know how to do it safely while getting the best bang for your buck.
Given the vast number of Delta 8 suppliers out there, it would take you weeks to comb through all the cannabinoid products that have sprung into existence since 2018. Who has time to do that? Luckily for you, we do!
We’ve done all the hard work for you in selecting the top five Delta 8 THC products available. But before we give you our recommendations, we want to share how we came up with this list.
This list was not created haphazardly; we evaluated various factors for each brand that separate the top-shelf products from the rest. Some factors are more important than others when evaluating products, and we’ll tell you which hold the greatest weight as we go along.
Without further ado, let’s look at the factors we considered when selecting top-tier companies.
Longevity
Likely the least important factor when selecting a top product is the company’s longevity. Most cannabinoid companies are relatively new since cannabinoid products have only been legal since 2018.
However, we wanted to give a nod to companies that have been around for a few years and have shown us what it means to hold on to a good reputation. If a company has been around since the beginning of Delta 8’s federal legality (and has good customer reviews), it probably offers some decent products.
Purity and Potency Lab Testing
The most important factor for us is whether or not a company sends their products out for third-party independent laboratory testing. They should request tests for purity and potency at the very least. Without third-party independent lab testing, it’s impossible to know what’s in the supplement and whether or not the label is accurate. If the company tests for contaminants like pesticides in each batch, it’s even better.
While this is an extra expense for a company, the safety of consumers is worth the added cost. Companies who cut corners here aren’t really worth our consideration.
Customer Service
Sometimes it’s hard to find good customer service, as companies can skimp in this department. We believe that when companies invest in their customer service, they’re more likely to produce quality products. While we hope you never have to use customer service to report an issue, you want them to turn a bad experience into a good one.
User Experience
A large part of our delineation process involves looking at real customer reviews. This involves more than just looking at the ratings. A company may have 100 5-star ratings, but if they don’t have many detailed customer reviews, it’s hard to know how real those ratings are.
We read dozens of customer reviews to learn what people really think about a company after using their products. It’s amazing what you can learn when dissecting the pros and cons from real customer experiences.
1. Everest Delta 8 THC Gummies
Everest is a brand that genuinely earns the top spot in our ranking, as they combine everything you could want in a company, including a great-tasting product, transparency, and quality.
The hemp is grown in the United States and is entirely organic and sustainably farmed. You won’t find genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) here, and vegans can even enjoy the gummies without concern of hidden animal products. Each gummy contains a generous 20 mg portion of Delta 8 THC, which are independently lab-tested, so you know the packaging is accurate.
Save a little extra on your order by subscribing to their brand at the time of checkout. This will earn you a 20% discount!
Hemp Source
- USA-grown hemp
Extract Type
- Delta 8 THC 20mg
Flavors
- Blue Raspberry
- Watermelon
- Peach
Ingredients
- Pectin
- Glucose syrup
- Sugar
- Distilled water
- Hemp oil (product dependent)
- Citric acid
- Sodium citrate
- Natural and artificial colorings
- Natural and artificial flavorings
Lab Results
- Green Scientific Labs
Shipping Policy
- Free shipping on all orders
- Does not ship to: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington.
Return & Refund Policies
- Returns of unopened products are fully refunded
- Shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility
Website Experience
- Clear imagery and crisp branding are what you’ll see when you get on the Everest website. The information provided is clear and concise and the website is easy to navigate.
2. Bearly Legal Delta 8 THC Gummies
Barely Legal is an aptly named brand that’s both playful and laidback. The company produces a delicious and pure delta 8 THC gummy that’s independently lab tested. We wish the company ordered contaminant tests as well, but we’re glad they’re testing for accuracy.
They have many flavors, so you’ll likely find one you absolutely love. The company stands behind their products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and they provide free shipping if you spend over $50!.
Hemp Source
● USA-grown hemp
Extract Type
● Delta 8 THC 25mg
Flavors
● Blueberry
● Mixed Fruit
● Strawberry
● Cherry
● Green Apple
● Pineapple
● Watermelon
Ingredients
● Pure Delta 8 Hemp Extract
● Corn Syrup
● Sugar
● Sunflower Oil
● Pectin
● Water
● Sodium Sulfate
● Citric Acid
● Sodium Citrate
● Flavoring
Lab Results
● Altitude Consulting
Shipping Policy
● Free Shipping on all orders over $50
Return & Refund Policies
● Returns of unopened products are refundable, depending on the type of product, within 30-days
● Return shipping costs are paid for by the customer
Website Experience
● We mentioned earlier that this company has playful branding, which comes through when browsing a website. Products are clearly described and easy to find.
3. Five CBD Delta 8 THC Gummies
We want to give Five a high-five with what they’ve created with their Delta 8 THC products. Their 25 mg gummies are both taste-bud approved and potent; plus, all the ingredients are organic and free of animal products.
You’ll want to spend over $100 to take advantage of the company’s free shipping. Try the product, as you have nothing to lose with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Hemp Source
USA-grown hemp
Extract Type
Delta 8 THC 25mg/gummy
Flavors
Multi Flavored
Ingredients
- Tapioca Syrup*
- Cane Sugar*
- Water
- Pear Juice Concentrate*
- Tapioca Maltodextrin*
- Pectin
- MCT Oil
- Citric Acid
- Natural Flavors
- Sodium Citrate
Lab Results
ACS Labs
Shipping Policy
Free shipping on orders over $100
Return & Refund Policies
30-day satisfaction guarantee
Website Experience
Five’s website and branding are on point with readily identifiable imagery and an easy-to-navigate website. You won’t waste your time searching through random pages with this company’s website layout
4. PharmaCBD Hemp Derived Delta 8 THC Cherry Sours Edibles
The National Hemp Association is an organization that’s dedicated to furthering the research and progression of hemp products. Companies like PharmaCBD, which are members of this association, go the extra mile by not only producing top-notch products but also helping to develop the industry as a whole.
PharmaCBD’s gummies are potent and perfect for those who like a mouth-puckering tart flavor. The gummies contain gelatin, so they’re not a good choice for vegans, unfortunately.
Hemp Source
USA-grown hemp
Extract Type
Delta 8 THC 20mg/gummy
Flavors
Mixed fruit
Ingredients
- 120mg Delta 8 THC ( 20mg per gummy)
- Glucose syrup
- Sugar
- Dextrose
- Water
- Gelatine
- Citric acid
- Lactic acid
- Malic acid
- Sodium lactate
- Artificial flavors, colors: FD&C blue 1, red 40, yellow 5
- Naturally occurring cannabinoid oil.
- Packaged in the same facility as peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and milk products
Lab Results
Industrial Laboratories
Shipping Policy
Free shipping on orders over $49.95
Return & Refund Policies
All sales are final
Website Experience
From the time you enter the PharmaCBD website all the way until you get to the checkout screen, the company has made the experience seamless and user-intuitive.
5. Just Delta Watermelon Supernova Delta 8 Gummies
There are very few names that relay a sense of purity of Delta 8 products like Just Delta’s delta 8 gummies. The company takes its purity commitment to another level by having their laboratory test both contaminants and dosages of their products.
These gummies will have your mouth watering with their engrossing fruity flavors. There isn’t really a downside to giving these gummies a try, as they offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and free shipping.
Hemp Source
USA-grown hemp
Extract Type
Delta 8 THC 1000mg/container (each gummy varies)
Flavors
- Watermelon Supernova
- Exotic Peach
- Sour Burst
Ingredients
- Corn Syrup (From Corn)
- Corn Starch
- Sugar (From Beets)
- Water
- Gelatin
- Citric Acid
- Fumaric Acid
- Natural and Artificial Flavor
- FD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Red #40
- Coconut Oil
- Delta 8 THC Hemp derivate
Lab Results
Kaycha
Shipping Policy
Free shipping
Return & Refund Policies
30-day satisfaction guaranteed
Website Experience
With a fun color concept and design, the website makes for a fun shopping experience. Browsing for products and the checkout process is simple.
You can buy these products here
https://www.mi-reporter.com/national-marketplace/is-delta-8-legal-in-florida/
