By Phoebe Neuman
**You must be 21+ to consume edibles. Never partake and drive, and do not consume edibles while pregnant or nursing.**
One of the beautiful things about THC becoming more widely available is that there’s no shortage of options if you’re looking to partake. And while it is easy enough to pick a product that may help you achieve the vibe that you’re after (that’s what our Camino hemp-derived THC gummies are intended to do), there are plenty of other places you can get hung up on when trying to pick the right edible for you.
Case in point? Delta-8 vs Delta-9 THC products.
As their names suggest, both delta-8 and delta-9 are forms of THC — the compound responsible for all of the feel-good mental and physical effects we associate with taking an edible. Both can be derived from hemp, which is why you’ll see them called out on product labels, but there are a few key differences worth understanding between the two before you buy your next tin of gummies.
Here, we’ve broken down what you need to know. Let’s get into it.
Delta-8 vs Delta-9 THC: Your Cheat Sheet
If you live in a state where both delta-8 and delta-9 THC products are sold, it's worth knowing what’s what. We’re about to dive into all of the important differences, but consider this our quick-and-dirty guide.
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Delta-9 THC Products |
Delta-8 THC Products |
|
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Source |
Naturally derived from hemp plants |
Synthetically synthesized from CBD |
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Effects* |
Psychoactive and physical effects |
Psychoactive and physical effects |
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Experience* |
Euphoria, relaxation, enhanced sensory experiences, and more |
Euphoria and relaxation |
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Potency |
Mild to intense, depending on the milligrams consumed |
Considered by most to be milder, even at similar doses to delta-9 THC |
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Side Effects* |
Thirst, dry/red eyes, grogginess |
Thirst, dry/red eyes, grogginess |
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Availability |
Not a federally controlled substance as of October 2026, but banned in certain states |
Not a federally controlled substance, although fully banned in 15 states |
*Remember that THC, in any form, affects each of us differently. While the experience and effects we cover here are general, they may not reflect exactly how you feel when partaking.
What is Delta-9 THC?
Let’s start with the basics. Delta-9 THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary form of THC found in both hemp and marijuana plants. No matter where it is extracted from (hemp simply contains less THC by volume than other types of cannabis plants), it is the cannabinoid responsible for making you feel high.
We’ve done a deep dive into the wonders of delta-9 THC that you can check out here. But for now, what you need to know is this: delta-9 is the most studied, understood, and regulated form of hemp-derived THC. Delta-9 is also easy to extract, even from hemp plants where it is less abundant, meaning that most products feature naturally derived delta-9 THC. Something that, as we’ll get to in a minute, is not the case for products containing delta-8 THC.
What is Delta-8 THC?
Like we mentioned at the top of this article, delta-8 THC is also produced by cannabis and hemp plants, albeit in much smaller quantities than delta-9 THC. Stay with us here for a moment: At the time of writing, hemp plants are federally allowed to contain up to 0.3% THC. Of that already very small amount, usually less than one-tenth is delta-8 THC. This is why you’ll often see delta-8 THC products sold in states where traditional cannabis is outlawed. But it is also why it is very difficult to extract enough natural delta-8 THC to create even a single 2mg gummy.
This makes it likely that almost all of the delta-8 products you see at your local smoke shop or while shopping online contain synthetically derived delta-8 THC. While we won’t get into the weeds of exactly how this works (pun very much intended), just know that most often delta-8 THC is synthesized from CBD, which is found at much higher concentrations in hemp plants. In addition to creating waste and potentially harmful by-products, this process is thought to alter the molecular structure of delta-8 THC — and therefore the ways it might impact your body — in ways that aren’t fully understood.
What is clear? The process of synthesizing delta-8 THC requires the use of harsh chemicals that are often hard to completely remove from the end product. It is always a good idea to check the COAs of any THC product you’re buying to confirm that the actual milligrams of THC, other cannabinoids, and terpenes match what the label says. This is especially true for delta-8 products, as those COAs will also call out the presence of any nasty chemicals lingering from the manufacturing process.
Effects of Delta-8 THC
The relative rarity of delta-8 THC means that its short- and long-term effects have not received much attention in scientific studies, something that’s especially true for synthetic delta-8 THC.
In general, the effects of taking a delta-8 THC gummy are thought to be similar to delta-9. Most users report feeling a pleasant sense of relaxation and euphoria when taken at the right dose. Many also feel like the psychoactive and physical effects of delta-8 THC are milder than delta-9 — which is why you’ll often see delta-8 products marketed to those who are newer to partaking, or who are looking for a more mellow experience.
Many find the after-effects of taking a delta-8 THC edible to also be similar to those of delta-9 THC products. You might expect to be a little bit thirsty, sleepy, and have red eyes for up to 10 hours after you partake. (You can learn more about what to expect after you’ve taken a THC gummy here!)
Is Delta-8 THC Legal?
Delta-8 THC products started popping up in what felt like every smoke shop after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp — and therefore CBD and THC products derived from hemp plants — on a federal level. However, changes to the Farm Bill put into motion in 2025 that would remove the loophole that allowed these products to go to market have put delta-8 THC on shaky ground.
In the wake of these proposed changes, states like Texas have already moved to ban the sale of synthetically derived THC products, including those made with delta-8 THC. At the time of writing, hemp-derived delta-9 THC products — like our very own Camino gummies — are still legal to buy and available in Texas.
Choosing the Right Products for You
When it comes to choosing how you’d like to partake, only two things really matter: the experience you’d like to have and the quality of the products you’d like to consume.
Both delta-8 and delta-9 THC products can offer the kind of elevated and chilled-out experience that makes edibles so appealing. That means the key difference between the two comes down to quality. And look, we admit to being biased, but delta-9 THC products beat delta-8 THC products every time on this measure. Naturally derived delta-9 THC has been both better studied and better regulated than products made with delta-8, meaning that you can better trust that the gummy you’re about to consume might help you achieve the experience you’re after.
At Camino, we’ve been committed to making high-quality (and delicious!) delta-9 THC edibles for over a decade. With names like Wild Berry ‘Chill,’ Midnight Blueberry ‘Sleep,’ and Watermelon Lemonade ‘Bliss,’ you have a good idea of what you may experience before you take the first bite. (And if the milder effects of delta-8 appeal to you, know that microdosing delta-9 THC with a 2mg product like Camino Sparkling Pear ‘Social’ is likely to produce a gentler high.)
Check out our full guide to how to shop for the best delta-9 edibles for more information on what makes Camino’s gummies so special — or you can simply take our word for it and shop our full lineup here. Happy partaking!
Sources
The Association of Cannabis Specialists — Delta-8 THC versus Delta-9 THC: What is the Difference?
Marijuana Policy Project — Delta-8: Is it Legal?
The Texas Tribune — Texas has banned several THC products. Find out what is still legal.
