This state is the first in the nation to ban synthetic cannabis products: Delta-8 will be available from July
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Oregon is expected to be the first state in the Union to ban synthetic cannabinoids starting in July.
State regulators from the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC) say they are restricting sales of the products over concerns about the chemicals used in their production.
Photo by Jose Luque/EyeEm/Getty Images
What are synthetic cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are compounds found in cannabis. Through a chemical process, they can be isolated or produced synthetically in copious amounts used in consumer products. Because the synthetic cannabinoids contain no THC, they are largely unregulated, meaning products like CBN can be sold in the open market, including in supermarkets, gas stations, and other retailers.
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The most well-known synthetic cannabinoid is delta-8-THC. The Centers for Disease Control warned consumers last year that there were more than 100 Delta-8 exposures nationwide in 2021 that required hospitalization in just six months.
Like CBD and CBN, Delta-8 occurs naturally in the plant. However, since it is present in very small amounts, a chemical process is used to extract it from CBD.
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“CBD supply has outpaced demand for CBD,” said Steven Crowley, hemp and processing compliance specialist at the OLCC. “And so, with CBD on hand, people started looking for other ways to market it. People started working on different products that they could turn the CBD into. This is where you get the Delta 8 THC products.”
The ban goes into effect this July, but as of July 2023, only synthetic cannabinoids will be allowed to be sold in OLCC-sanctioned cannabis stores after the products have undergone rigorous and expensive testing and been approved by the FDA.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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