Core Cannabis Course: Delta-10 THC

Welcome to homework assignment CCC 1.6 of the Core Cannabis Track from Higher Learning LV. This assignment teaches students about delta-10 THC, the controversial and psychoactive alt psychoactive cannabinoid that has generated many urban legends and much misunderstanding among both consumers and industry professionals alike.

When you complete this assignment, simply click the link at the bottom of the article to return to the master page for this course.

The version of THC that differentiates hemp and cannabis, the measure of which has determined the market value of cannabis flowers and related products for decades, is delta-9 THC. However, a variety of analogs of this infamous molecule exist. These include THCA (no psychoactivity), delta-8 THC (about two-thirds the psychoactivity of the delta-9 isomer), and THCV (the varin version that scientists say is not psychoactive, but that features plentiful anecdotal testimonies to the contrary).

The delta-10 THC molecule

THC molecular analogs include THCA (no psychoactivity), delta-8 THC (about two-thirds the psychoactivity of delta-9), and THCV (the varin version that scientists say is not psychoactive, but that features plentiful anecdotal testimonies to the contrary).

Like delta-8 THC, some wellness professionals and doctors who recommend cannabinoids for their patients prefer delta-10 because it conveys lower psychoactivity than delta-9, helping prevent increased anxiety or panic attacks—especially in consumers prone to these reactions.

The story of delta-10 THC is rife with irony. The phytomolecule was discovered in the 2019 timeframe by Fusion Farms in Adelanto, California. During a wildfire, a batch of outdoor grown plants became contaminated by fire retardant chemicals. These chemicals caused one or more of the cannabinoids in the plants to convert to delta-10 (most likely cannabichromene [CBC], CBD, or delta-9 THC—all of which feature very similar molecular structures).

Delta-10 THC is naturally occurring, but is often dubbed an artificial cannabinoid because it is found in only trace volumes in nature (with many plants containing no delta-10). Unfortunately, this had led to the emergence of an urban legend concerning delta-10 that incorrectly states that it does not occur in nature. Modern manufacturing processes, however, offer the ability to produce the molecule in volume by converting closely related cannabinoids such as CBD (typically derived from hemp, not cannabis).

Delta-10 THC is naturally occurring, but has been dubbed an "artificial cannabinoid" because it is found in only trace volumes in nature.

Some theorize that, while delta-10 occurs naturally, it is not directly manufactured by cannabis plants and, rather, is the result of the degradation of delta-9 THC under particular environmental conditions and in certain cultivars and chemotypes.

Other industry professionals believe that, during testing, delta-10 THC is commonly misidentified as similar cannabinoids, including CBC. "A lot of people had been seeing this mystery compound show up as a minor component on their distillate COAs [Certificates of Analysis], but they thought it was CBC," said Josh Jones, an organic chemist in California.

Research regarding the potential medicinal outcomes of delta-10 THC is almost nonexistent, with much more data available for mainstream cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, and delta-9 THC. However, a combination of research data and anecdotal testimonies have shown that delta-10 may provide a variety of benefits, similar to other THC isomers.

Despite a dearth of formal peer-reviewed research studies for this newly-popular psychotropic cannabinoid, several insightful articles have been published by a variety of professional magazines and online media outlets.

A 2023 study entitled "Delta-8, Delta-10, HHC, THC-O, THCP, and THCV: What Should We Call These Products?" that was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs explored "a variety of potential descriptors to encourage dialogue about the language used to classify the multitude of psychoactive cannabinoid products that have grown in popularity since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill."

The study explained that the 2018 U.S. Federal Agriculture Improvement Act (commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill) has produced what some have labeled a legal loophole in cannabis regulation. "As different types of cannabis products proliferate, so has the terminology used to attempt to categorize them," reported the scientists.

The researchers recommended use of the term "derived psychoactive cannabis products," or DPCPs, to describe these products.

The researchers recommended use of the term "derived psychoactive cannabis products," or DPCPs, to describe these products. They noted that inclusion of the term "derived" distinguishes such items from "naturally-grown cannabis products" and "psychoactive" sends a clear message that they are psychotropic in nature.

"Finally, 'cannabis products' balances accuracy and understandability regarding the substance while discouraging perpetuation of 'marijuana' due to its racist [history]," noted the study. It declared that "derived psychoactive cannabis products" is broad enough to include related products while being specific enough to exclude others. "Adopting accurate and consistent terminology will reduce confusion and help establish a more cohesive scientific literature base," concluded the study's authors.

View the original study.

In 2021, an article entitled "Delta-8-THC Craze Concerns Chemists" was published in the magazine Chemical Engineering News that explored the safety profiles and other attributes of alt cannabinoids such as delta-8 and delta-10. The article pointed out that the production of commercial volumes of alt cannabinoid delta-8 THC often results in the unintended production of delta-9 and delta-10 THC, which sometimes constitute a significant portion of the final product.

"Little is known about the effects of delta-10-THC, but users have anecdotally reported feeling euphoric and more focused after consuming it," reported the professional magazine. Regarding safety profile, the article interviewed Michael Coffin, chief scientist at Elevation Distro in California. "Delta-8, delta-9, and even delta-10 don't seem to have any ill effects on people that we know of at this point," said Coffin.

View the original article.

Anecdotal reports indicate that delta-10 may be more energizing than its chemical cousin delta-8 THC. In other words, delta-8 is reported to be more indica-like, while delta-10 more resembles sativa cultivars. It may be of help to those with glaucoma, depression, and anxiety (but must be dosed correctly to obtain favorable results) and may also reduce the nausea that results from cancer chemotherapy.

According to Healthline: "There is very little research on the benefits and side effects of delta-10. Anecdotally, delta-10 users claim that the high is mellow but energizing. People also say that they feel more euphoric after consuming delta-10. However, because there's a lack of research, there's no proof to verify these claims."

"There is very little research on the benefits and side effects of delta 10. Anecdotally, delta-10 users claim that the high is mellow but energizing."

According to Leafwell, delta-10 "appears in such low traces that it's impossible to consume significant amounts from the cannabis plant itself." This online site notes that most delta-10 products feature a version of the molecule that has been synthetically manufactured. "They're crafted in a lab, refined extensively, and formulated into products like vape cartridges and gummies," reported the site.

Similar to delta-8 and delta-9 THC, delta-10 may produce minor negative side effects, including dry eyes, dry mouth, or increased anxiety. However, this alt cannabinoid has been noted to feature an acceptable safety profile. Even potent doses of this cannabinoid are relatively safe for consumption.

Like with other cannabinoids, closely related isomers of delta-9 THC often feature similar efficacies. Those that result in psychoactivity may, in potent doses and especially when consumed by those with little experience, produce anxiety or even panic attacks.

Like delta-8, HHC, and THC-O acetate, delta-10 THC is readily available in many areas of the United States in the form of 510 vape carts, gummies, and a variety of edibles. Delta-10 is most commonly obtained from hemp-derived CBD (as is delta-8 THC).

Many products claiming to contain only delta-10 THC often also contain delta-8 due to the chemical difficulty of isolating only delta-10.