October 28, 2022 6 min read

There are lots of Delta-8 vape pens circulating the market, but which Delta-8 pen is the strongest? The truth is, Delta-8 is just pretty mild on its own, so you may be looking for something else.

Thankfully, there are lots of legal THC products derived from hemp, and some of them pair nicely with Delta-8 to create a potent, well balanced euphoria. What's this magic hemp-derived THC that were talking about? THC-O. To find the strongest Delta-8 pen on the market, you'll probably want to find one that also contains THC-O, like our Delta-8 + THC-O Disposable Vape Pens. Curious how this cannabinoid combination weighs out in terms of effects, legality, and more? Just keep reading:

Table of Contents
Why Delta-8 May Not Be Strong Enough
What is THC-O?
How do Delta-8 and THC-O match up?
Does THC-O carry additional risks?
Are Delta-8 and THC-O legal?
Conclusion: What’s the Strongest Delta-8 Pen?

Key Takeaways

  • Delta-8 is milder than traditional THC products.
  • If you have a tolerance to other THC products, you may also have a tolerance to Delta-8.
  • Combining Delta-8 with THC-O makes for the strongest Delta-8n pen formula.
  • THC-O is also legal, so you can buy it online

Why You May Need More Than Just Delta-8

Before we dig into what THC-O really is, lets talk about why Delta-8 may not be potent enough on it’s own. This isn’t really going to be the case for everyone, but some people may find themselves being unresponsive to Delta-8.

More specifically, experienced cannabis consumers may find that they already have a high tolerance to Delta-8 products. Why? Because Delta-8 and Delta-9 have some cross tolerance effects. In other words, if you already consume Delta-9 frequently, you probably already have some tolerance to Delta-8.

Because Delta-8 is less potent, it doesn’t take much tolerance to make Delta-8 pretty ineffective. So, you may need to consider taking a tolerance break, or you’ll need a THC formula that’s just a bit stronger, like this one with THC-O.

A model of THC-O's molecular structure and an example of the hemp material it is made from.

What is THC-O?

THC-O, or THC-O acetate, is another hemp-derived cannabinoid just like Delta-8. Also like Delta-8, THC-O is made from hemp-derived CBD through a process called “isomerization.” Because THC-O begins and ends as cannabis material with less than 0.3% Delta-9-THC, it's considered a hemp product.

The primary difference between the two, though, is that THC-O is known to be up to three times more potent than traditional Delta-9-THC. If Delta-8 is only half as potent as traditional THC, then THC-O is a lot more potent than Delta-8. So, we mixed them together in our Delta-8 +THC-O Vape Pen formula.

How do THC-O and Delta-8 match up?

Although Delta-8 and THC-O are similar in terms of where they come from and how they are made, they have very different effects. THC-O isn’t just more potent, it’s effects have a much different undertone. This duality is the reason that the two pair so well together to make one of the strongest Delta-8 pens on the market.

Let us explain:

If Delta-8 is known to be calming and semi sedating, then THC-O could be described as exactly the opposite. THC-O is known to be uplifting and energizing, usually in a way that stimulates cognitive function and boost creativity. In fact, THC-O is even sometimes described as borderline hallucinogenic.

THC-O’s effects can sometimes be too much for new cannabis consumers, but pairing it with Delta-8 can create a gentler middler ground that better replicates the effects of traditional THC products. Think of it as the “perfect hybrid” of THC hemp products.

You may be thinking–is there a catch? You came here looking for the strongest Delta-8 vape pen you could find, so let’s talk about the potential risks of this ultra-potent formula.

Does THC-O carry any additional risks?

It’s important to note that although THC-O was discovered as early as the 1940’s, we don’t have much research regarding its risks. In general, THC-O’s risk profile is thought to be pretty similar to Delta-9-THC’s. It primarily interacts with the same two cannabinoid receptors as Delta-9 and is thought to have very similar benefits and risks.

Because it’s much more potent, though, it may have an exaggerated risk profile when concerning high doses. In other words, just like taking too much Delta-9 can cause some adverse effects, like paranoia and anxiety, taking too much THC-O can make you feel pretty bad.

Because its roughly three times more potent, it may take way less THC-O to get you to this point. Of course, that’s why pairing it with Delta-8 is such a good idea–the two even each other’s odds. Delta-8, being more mild and calming, may help to prevent some of these adverse effects.

To learn more, you may want to read “THC-O Risks.”

Two Delta-8 pens made using different formulas

Is THC-O + Delta-8 a legal combination?

You may be looking at this THC-O formula thinking–how can something that’s three times more potent than traditional cannabis be legal if cannabis isn’t?

The answer is–hemp. The definition laid out in the 2018 Farm Bill that is designed to legalize hemp specifies that “Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers…with no more than a 0.3 percent concentration of THC” is legal.

In other words, the primary defining feature of hemp products is that they contain little to no Delta-9-THC. Because THC-O is classified as an isomer and meets the federal threshold for Delta-9-THC content, it’s considered legal by this law. Of course, this federal law still leaves hemp regulations up to individual states, and THC-O and Delta-8 are not legal in every state. You may want to read up on your state laws to learn more.

Read:

But wait! Isn’t THC-O Synthetic?

In your search for the strongest Delta-8 pen, you may think that this THC-O combination is too good to be true. Isn’t THC-O a synthetic cannabinoid? Aren’t synthetic cannabinoids dangerous.

The answer is–THC-O isn’t the same as a synthetic cannabinoid like K2 (spice). These potentially dangerous synthetic cannabinoid is lab-made from a concoction of chemicals that don’t include any natural cannabis material. It’s totally synthesized.

Both THC-O and Delta-8, however, are made from hemp-derived CBD. All of the chemicals that are used to transform CBD to it’s THC isomers are removed in the final purification process, resulting in pure THC-O distillate and pure Delta-8 Distillate. That is, of course, as long as you choose a high-quality Delta-8-THC vape.

Conclusion: What’s the Strongest Delta-8 Pen?

So, what’s the strongest Delta-8 Vape pen on the market? The honest truth is that Delta-8, even in a pen that’s 99% pure, will still only be about half as potent as Delta-9-THC. You could, of course, increase your dosage to get stronger effects, or you could just choose a stronger formula. Check out our Delta-8 + THC-O Vape Carts in our Elev8 Collection.

Bonus: What Terpenes Do for High-Potency Delta-8 Pens

We mentioned that Dleta-8 and THC-O have opposite effects that come together to create a smooth neutral, but what happens when you throw some hemp-derived terpenes in the mix?

Vida Optima Elev8 Delta-8 Pen

If you don’t know, terpenes are the aromatic compounds in cannabis that give it it’s magical aroma and varying taste profiles. Terpenes are also known to have their own therapeutic effects, so you can count on them to alter the effects of a Delta-8-THC vape formula similar to the way that they alter the effects of different cannabis strains.

Our Delta-8 + THC-O vape oil is 95% pure, but we reserved the other 5% for strain profiling. That means that 5% of each vape is made up of a unique terpene profile designed to alter the way that the vape makes you feel. So, you’re not only going to get the strongest Delta-8 vape pen, you’re going to get options–Sativa, Indica, or Hybrid?

Here’s a quick run down to help you choose:

  • Sativa: Our Sativa Delta-8 + THC-O Vape pen offer an uplifting cognitive boost that’s perfect for socializing, creative tasks, or general daytime use.
  • Indica: Our Indica Delta-8 + THC-O Vape is a smooth, calming formula designed to help you mellow out and unwind.
  • Hybrid: The Hybrid Delta-8 + THC-O Vape is a perfect middle ground that’s a great place for new consumers to start, or for those looking for a daytime buzz that’s not too buzzy.

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