What is Delta-10-THC Flower

by Kat Austin April 10, 2023 8 min read

What is Delta-10-THC Flower - Vida Optima™

Delta-10 is one of the most recent hemp industry innovations, and its mild psychoactive effects make it a hot pick for new THC consumers or those looking for a gentle, functional high. There’s lots of Delta-10 products circulating the market, but many consumers are asking about one in particular–Delta-10-THC flower. What is it, and how is it made?

If Delta-10 is synthesized from CBD, how is hemp flower with Delta-10 naturally harvested? Once you understand how the Delta-10 flower is made, it becomes a little clearer how the flower is manufactured too. We’ll break down everything you need to know about Delta-10-THC flower, including how it’s made, how to buy it, and how to safely use it. Let’s jump in:

Table of Contents
What is Delta 10 THC Flower?
How is Delta 10 THC Flower Made
Benefits of Smoking Delta 10 THC Flower
Delta 10 THC Flower vs Delta 9 THC Flower
Is Delta 10 THC Flower Legal
Where to Buy Delta 10 THC Flower
Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Delta-10-THC flower is a popular dosing method that provides fast acting effects and a customizable user experience.
  • Unlike other cannabis flower products, there are no naturally occurring Delta-10 strains.
  • Manufacturers have found a way to produce Delta-10 flower from hemp flower, but different manufacturing procedures yield widely different results.
  • Delta-10 flower legality is more complicated than general Delta-10 laws. Some jurisdictions that allow the sale of Delta-10 products still prohibit raw products like hemp flower.
A fresh, sticky, purple toned hemp bud just before harvesting to make Delta-10-THC flower

What is Delta-10-THC Flower?

Cannabis breeders are responsible for the myriad of new high-THC strains popping up all over, and breeders and cannabis geneticists are working together to crossbreed strains that weren’t otherwise available, like high CBG strains.

You’d think that Delta-10-THC flower follows this trend—that there are specifically bred cannabis genetics that offer the Delta-10 buzz we seek. But unfortunately that’s not the case, and sourcing Delta-10-THC flower isn’t so simple.

Why Delta-10 Can’t Be “Naturally Harvested”

Delta-10-THC is naturally occurring in cannabis material, but only in very small quantities, usually less than 1%. That means that while Delta-10 can be sourced from natural cannabis material, the method is pretty ineffective and would make Delta-10 products far too expensive for the general public to afford.

Hemp material (the kind of cannabis that is legal across the U.S.) can only legally contain up to 0.3% Delta-9-THC. That means that growing out hemp with larger quantities of minor cannabinoids, like Delta-8 and Delta-10, is impossible since these are all linked to the Delta-9-THC content.

Instead of trying to harvest the tiny amounts of Delta-10 that naturally occur in hemp, manufacturers looked for alternative methods. Luckily, a renowned cannabis researcher unlocked a method for converting CBD, a naturally abundant cannabinoid, into Delta-8-THC in the early 2000’s. This method is now being widely used by cannabinoid extraction technicians, and Delta-8-THC material is no longer out of reach. Now, a similar process can be used to make Delta-10 and other hemp-derived THC products, so they can be harvested and manufactured in abundance.

Thanks to major advancements, you can now find legal Delta-10 material in the form of gummies, edibles, vaporizers, and—you guessed it—Delta-10-THC Flower.

But how is Delta-10-THC flower made if it isn’t a naturally occurring cannabis product?

Delta-10 Flower is Hemp Flower

Delta-10 flower, although not naturally occurring, is made with natural hemp flower. Because hemp flower does not naturally contain large quantities of Delta-10, however, Delta-10 extract is added to the hemp flower to create the final product–a delta-10 flower that’s ready to smoke.

Let’s break that down more:

How is Delta 10 THC Flower Made?

Delta-10 is made through a process called “isomerization.” This is a process used to turn one compound into its isomer, or another compound that contains all the same components, just arranged in a different order. In other words, nothing is added or taken away–the compounds are simply reorganized.

In this case, CBD is transformed into Delta-10-THC.

After the Delta-10 material is made from CBD, it is refined into a material called “Delta-10-THC Distillate,” or a product that has been distilled until only Delta-10-THC remains. This removes any solvents or additives that may have been used in the isomerization process.

This pure Delta-10-THC material is then added to quality hemp flower to create a legal smoking material that carries the benefits of Delta-10. Of course, different manufacturers have different methods for creating Delta-10 flower, and they all produce widely different results.

Adding Delta-10-THC Concentrate to Hemp Flower

There are multiple ways that this Delta-10 concentrate material can be used to create Delta-10-THC flower. The two most popular methods are dipping and spraying.

Some manufacturers use a method that requires the raw flower material to be dipped in Delta-10 liquid. However, distillate is an oily material that doesn’t ever dry completely, which can result in a soggy flower product that isn’t easy to smoke or produces a heavy smoke. This soggy Delta-10 material may be potent, but it’s often too harsh for new hemp users.

Others have designed a method that involves lightly spraying D10 distillate onto the flower material. This Delta-10 flower won’t be as potent, but the overall smoking experience may be lighter and more enjoyable, and the flower is generally less soggy and more appealing to consumers.

One innovative method involves creating a solid Delta-10 distillate material that is “dusted” onto the flower. This method allows Delta-8 to be added in larger quantities, resulting in a potent D8 flower that isn’t harsh or soggy.

A combination of these methods can also be used. The method used to add Delta-10 to the raw flower material totally changes the end result, so you may need to try different products before you find one that works for you.

Benefits of Smoking Delta-10-THC Flower

As we mentioned, Delta-10-THC flower is actually hemp flower that’s had a pure Delta-10 extract added. This unique product offers the benefits of the whole-plant hemp formulation, which is something you may not get with other Delta-10 products.

Hemp flower usually contains moderate to high levels of CBD and an arrangement of other cannabinoids that may work together to provide the benefits of the entourage effect. Unlike pure Delta-10 products, D10 flower also offers the benefits of different hemp strains, which may contain different therapeutic terpenes.

We won’t go into the specific benefits of different types of hemp strains or different cannabinoid-terpene combinations because it’s far beyond the scope of this article, but you can learn more about the benefits of different hemp flower strains by reading “Which Strain of Delta-8 is Best? Sativa vs Indica vs Hybrid.

There are some benefits to smoking hemp flower compared to other dosing types, like the following:

  • Delta-10-THC flower is fast-acting, and you can reap the psychoactive benefits in only a few minutes.
  • Thanks to fast-acting benefits, Delta-10 flower can be easily “stacked” in small doses until you better understand your limits.
  • Although some may consider it a drawback, the effects from D10 flower may wear off more quickly than edibles, which offers more control over the user experience. Delta-10-THC flower’s effects can last anywhere from 2-4 hours.
  • Many suggest that the added CBD in the hemp flower offers a more “balanced” psychoactive experience as well as boosted therapeutic benefits.
  • Delta-10-THC flower is a good replacement for Delta-9 flower in some cases, although it is much milder. It may offer a similar aromatic experience without many of the drawbacks, like legality or accessibility issues.

Delta-10-THC Flower vs Delta-9-THC Flower

Other than the obvious differences in the ways that Delta-10 flower and Delta-9 flower are produced (since there are loads of naturally occurring high-Delta-9-THC strains), many people often ask “What’s the difference between Delta-10 flower and Delta-9 flower?”

Primarily, it’s that Delta-10-THC is much less potent than Delta-9. While this may sound like a drawback, it may be one of the primary benefits. Aside from the fact that Delta-10 may be a more approachable dose for beginners, it may also have added benefits.

At least, that’s the case for Delta-8–the decreased potency makes it more appropriate for certain medical applications. For instance, one study looked at the benefits of Delta-8-THC for pediatric cancer patients who were undergoing traditional cancer treatments that caused nausea. Compared to Delta-9, the study found Delta-8 to be about half as potent. They found, however, that they could use Delta-8 in doses that were far larger (and more effective) without the same drawbacks associated with Delta-9.

Many anecdotal reports regarding the Delta-10 experience suggest a similar outcome—Delta-10-THC may be far less likely to incite some of the negative side effects associated with THC products, like anxiety and paranoia. You can use larger quantities for a more potent experience, or simply enjoy the mild uplifting experience you’ll get from mild to moderate doses.

To learn more about Delta-10-THC, you may want to read “How Much Delta-10 Should I Take?

Is Delta-10 Flower Legal?

Delta-10 legality can be a bit confusing. It’s legal by federal standards but each state can make its own ruling on hemp-derived THC products. While it’s not usually addressed by name, Delta-10 falls into the same category as Delta-8 in most cases, so you can check out the Delta-8-THC laws in your state to learn more about Delta-10 legality near you.

Keep in mind that although Delta-10 may be legal, there are sometimes restrictions on certain dosing methods. For instance, some states ban smokeable products, meaning you may be able to find Delta-10 edibles, but not Delta-10 flower. Even if you find that Delta-8 is legal in your state, you should check your state’s CBD laws to ensure that hemp flower is also legal.

Where to Buy Delta-10-THC Flower

Delta-10-THC flower has one very significant advantage compared to Delta-9 flower—it’s much more accessible. In areas where Delta-10-THC is legal, you can buy Delta-10 flower online. While it may be easy to find a slew of Delta-10 distributors in a quick web search, there are a few steps you should take to help weed out the low-quality formulas.

  • Look for a transparent distributor that is transparent about their manufacturing process, which means they should divulge details about how their Delta-10 is made and where they source their hemp material (U.S. grown hemp is often best).
  • A high-quality distributor will provide third-party lab tests before you buy. These tests should prove label accuracy and help you know what’s actually in a product before you buy.
  • Check out other ingredients to ensure they meet your needs. Some brands may use artificial ingredients or other potentially harmful additives.

Alternatives to Delta-10-THC Flower

If you find that Delta-10 flower is not legal in your area, or you simply think you may benefit from a different emp THC dosing method, there is an alternative that may provide a similar dosing experience and therapeutic profile.

Vaporizers are another inhalation method made from hemp-THC distillate. These products often have terpenes added to offer the unique benefits of different Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid strains. Unlike flower, there’s no raw flower material, so other cannabinoids (like CBD) can also be avoided if necessary.

Still, like smoking flower, hemp THC vaporizers are fast-acting doses that can easily be stacked as needed. The effects have a similar duration (2-4 hours) and provide very similar benefits.

If you’re looking for the perfect hemp THC dose, check out our full hemp-derived THC collection. We use premium, U.S. grown hemp material and industry-leading extraction techniques to make a variety of different THC products. You’ll always find lab-tests that you can view before you buy, and all of our products are 100% Farm Bill compliant.

Elev8 25mg Delta 8 THC Gummies

Resources

  1. “USDA Farm Bill (2018)” https://www.usda.gov/farmbill
  2. “An efficient new cannabinoid antiemetic in pediatric oncology” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7776837/
  3. “Isomer” https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/isomer

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