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Delta-8-THC is illegal in Colorado. The state issued a strict ruling in 2021 that classified it as a synthetic cannabinoid. Colorado took a multi-prong approach that made delta-8-THC illegal for both marijuana and hemp producers.
Here’s a closer look at delta 8 laws in the Centennial State.
Summary
Delta-8 THC is illegal in Colorado since 2021.
If you want to buy high-quality delta 8 THC products, I recommend Extract Labs. It’s a transparent brand that provides up-to-date potency and contaminant third-party lab test results, which are crucial for getting a safe and effective delta 8 product.
Table of Contents
Colorado Delta 8 THC Laws
Delta-8 THC is typically made from hemp-derived CBD. That’s why Colorado banned delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10 THC made from CBD on May 14, 2021.
The Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division released a ruling stating that:
Industrial Hemp Product is not permitted to be further processed or extracted either before or after inclusion in a marijuana product by a Medical or Retail Marijuana Products Manufacturer. This prohibition includes any process that converts an Industrial Hemp Product, such as CBD isolate, into delta-9, delta-8, delta-10-THC, or other tetrahydrocannabinol isomers or functional analogs…
The use of acids, bases, catalysts, or other unapproved reagents to extract, isolate, or convert cannabidiols, tetrahydrocannabinols, or other cannabinoids is not permitted.
Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division
On top of that, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued a similar statement:
…Chemically modifying or converting any naturally occurring cannabinoids from industrial hemp is non-compliant with the statutory definition of ‘industrial hemp product’…these tetrahydrocannabinol isomers [delta-9, delta-8, delta-10-THC] are not allowed in food, dietary supplements or cosmetics…
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
This makes delta-8 THC illegal because manufacturers are not allowed to convert CBD into any form of THC.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Delta-8-THC is a cannabinoid that can get you high.
Although it does occur naturally, it isn’t present in large enough amounts to be worth extracting. That’s why it’s usually produced by a chemical process that converts pure CBD into delta-8-THC.
Delta-8 is similar to delta-9 THC, the most common form of THC in the cannabis plant. But its effects are less powerful (1).
Why Delta 8 THC is Federally Legal
Delta-8-THC is legal nationwide because of a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill. Although the bill restricts hemp products to no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC, it makes no such limit for other forms of THC.
That means you can make legal delta 8 from hemp-derived CBD through a chemical isomerization process.
Other States Where Delta 8 is Illegal
Each state can decide to make its own laws regulating delta-8 THC.
Delta-8 THC is currently illegal in 17 states: Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.
The Future of Delta 8 THC in Colorado
The future of delta-8-THC in Colorado seems pretty set in stone. There doesn’t seem to be any hope of delta-8-THC becoming legal any time soon.
This is somewhat surprising, considering Colorado has practically led the way for cannabis legalization.
Gleb is a freelance writer from Vancouver, Canada specializing in CBD and cannabis. He’s read thousands of studies on CBD and other supplements, helping him translate complex science into plain language. Gleb has tried and reviewed dozens of CBD brands and products, written third-party testing reports, and knows the CBD industry inside and out. When not writing, he likes to kickbox, travel, and tell everyone how awesome intermittent fasting is.
