What Do Delta 9 Gummies Do?

You’ve seen them, and we’ve seen them too — listings on the internet for “delta 9 gummies,” edible cannabis products that contain up to 10mg of delta 9 THC each. But wait, isn’t delta 9 illegal? Yes, it is, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

In this guide, learn what delta 9 gummies do, and find out whether they’re worth trying. Along the way, discover the legal loopholes some companies are using to offer gummies containing delta 9 THC — a Schedule I controlled substance — freely across the internet.

What are delta 9 gummies?

Delta 9 gummies are edible cannabis products that contain up to 0.3% THC. To make it possible to sell delta 9 gummies online, manufacturers massively increase the overall size of their gummies while carefully keeping the amount of THC each gummy contains at a comparatively low level. As a result, delta 9 gummies are not particularly effective and contain large concentrations of filler ingredients.

Are delta 9 gummies legal?

Sort of — the types of delta 9 gummies you can buy online are physically enormous compared to other hemp gummies to exploit the somewhat vague language of the 2018 Farm Bill. This piece of legislation dictates that hemp products cannot contain more than 0.3% delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis, meaning the measured weight of the finished product.

As a result, if a gummy weighs more than 3 grams (3000mg) but contains a maximum of 10mg THC, that means the delta 9 THC it contains amounts to less than 0.3%. You end up consuming a whole lot of gummy, however, for a very small amount of THC.

Do delta 9 gummies get you high?

Even though the ratio of THC to gummy weight is low, delta 9 gummies will still definitely get you high. For comparison, an average gummy bought at a medical or recreational cannabis dispensary also only contains 10mg THC, so the 10mg dose found in most delta 9 gummies should certainly be considered effective. There are more effective ways to get high, though, than eating a bunch of enormous, sugary gummies.

Does delta 9 get you higher than delta 9?

Compared to delta 8, delta 9 is undeniably the stronger form of THC. Included in gummies, however, the differences might not be as apparent — smoking a bowl of delta 8 weed, for instance, will most likely get you considerably higher than taking a single delta 9 gummy even though delta 8 is generally considered to be “weed lite.”

How do delta 9 gummies make you feel?

Delta 9 gummies make you feel the same way any other delta 9 THC product makes you feel: high. These edible THC products provide a sense of mental and bodily euphoria that some people rely on for help with stress, pain, and anxiety. As an orally ingestible product, taking a delta 9 gummy will provide you with a mild high for 2-3 hours.

Are delta 9 gummies good for pain?

Some people consider delta 9 gummies to be useful for pain. Studies have shown that smoking delta 9 THC generally has an analgesic effect, and it’s likely that this benefit will be noticeable when you take delta 9 gummies as well. Delta 9 gummies are far from the most efficient products you can use when you want to experience the benefits of THC, however.

How long does it take for delta 9 gummies to kick in?

Delta 9 gummies should kick in within around 30-45 minutes. As orally ingested products, gummies do not activate as quickly as smoked or vaporized forms of delta 9 THC. If you still do not feel the effects of your delta 9 gummies after more than an hour has passed, you may not have taken a large-enough dose.

How many delta 9 gummies can I take?

There are no official guidelines regarding delta 9 THC dosing, but studies have shown this cannabinoid to be quite well-tolerated even in high doses. When taking delta 9 gummies, you shouldn’t be very concerned about the amount of delta 9 you’re consuming. You should, however, carefully consider how the large quantities of sweeteners and filler ingredients present in each delta 9 gummy might negatively impact your health.

Can you overdose on delta 9 gummies?

Generally speaking, your chances of overdosing on delta 9 THC — or any other form of THC, for that matter — are negligibly low. Some individuals suffer from a condition called cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, though, which can cause overdose-like symptoms even at very low doses of THC. For all other people, however, it’s practically impossible to overdose on THC no matter how much you take, and symptoms of overdose are mild compared to other substances.

Delta 9 gummies are a special case, however. While you still can’t overdose on the THC they contain, you might ingest dangerous concentrations of the other substances present in these oversized gummies. Remember that delta 9 gummies have to be huge to make the amount of THC they contain stay below 0.3% — that means they contain equally huge amounts of the sweeteners, coloring agents, and flavorings that are commonly used in gummies of all kinds.

Even the best types of sweeteners can raise your blood sugar to dangerous levels when consumed in excess, and it’s quite concerning to consider the heightened levels of artificial ingredients you might consume if you eat a large amount of delta 9 gummies. Either choose your gummies carefully or — even better — just stay away from delta 9 gummies entirely.

Can I use delta 8 instead of delta 9?

Delta 8 THC is always a viable alternative to delta 9, and the benefits of this THC analogue become even more appealing in comparison to delta 9 gummies. With delta 8, there is no restriction on the amount of THC that can be in a single gummy, allowing manufacturers to set the ratio of delta 8 to other ingredients in their gummies however they like.

The bottom line: Are delta 9 gummies worth it?

If delta 8 weren’t available online, the benefits of delta 9 gummies would be clearer. As it stands, however, using delta 9 gummies simply increases the amounts of sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients you consume without a corresponding increase in beneficial effects. Our advice is to either purchase normal delta 9 gummies at a recreational or medical dispensary or simply opt for delta 8 products instead.

Delta 9 gummies FAQ

What else can we answer regarding the benefits and detractors of delta 9 gummies?

1. Can edibles cause seizures?

Cannabis edibles are not generally known to cause seizures. There is some evidence, however, that overdosing on cannabis edibles may cause seizures in children. That’s all the more reason to keep your cannabis products locked up and avoid purchasing cannabis products that look like candy in the first place. 

2. Why did I throw up after eating edibles?

If you vomited after eating cannabis edibles, either the ingredients in your edibles were contaminated or you suffer from cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, a rare condition that causes severe nausea when you use cannabis. In either case, you should seek medical attention to make sure you are not in danger.

3. Does taking a shower take away your high?

In some cases, people who get too high can reduce the intensity of their cannabis experiences by taking a shower. There’s nothing about taking a shower that reduces the activity of cannabinoids in your body from a biochemical standpoint, but taking part in this relaxing daily ritual may help you center yourself and return your mind to its usual functioning.

4. How is delta 9 legal?

It’s not — the Controlled Substances Act identifies delta 9 THC as a Schedule I illegal substance. The 2018 Farm Bill, however, determined that products containing less than 0.3% THC are industrial hemp, which is not a controlled substance. That’s how delta 9 gummy manufacturers are able to make their products — by keeping THC levels below 0.3% of the total weight of each gummy.

5. Will delta 9 keep you awake?

Delta 9 THC is not commonly known to cause insomnia. For some people, though, this cannabinoid can be paranoia-inducing or simply make things “too real,” potentially generating enough anxiety to make sleeping difficult. If you’re having trouble getting to sleep after using delta 9, try brewing a cup of tea, eating something, or taking a shower.

6. Do delta 9 gummies help you sleep?

Some people find that delta 9 THC has soporific effects that aid in sleep. More commonly, though, users sleep better after using delta 9 due to this cannabinoid’s stress-reducing effects. Even if we don’t notice it, stress has a profoundly negative impact on sleep, and getting high on delta 9 certainly reduces stress in most people.

7. How long do delta 9 gummies stay in your system?

The delta 9 THC found in delta 9 gummies may remain detectable in your body for up to 30 days after ingestion. If you use delta 9 infrequently and in low doses, however, this cannabinoid will clear your system much sooner.