Editor's note: This article has been reviewed and updated for accuracy in 2026. Whether you’ve been using THC regularly and for a long time, you use it casually here and there, or you’re looking for a natural way to relax and ease your anxiety and physical discomfort and are researching THC, there’s no doubt that you have heard of delta 8. It’s become a pretty big buzz word in the cannabis world over the past year or so, and it’s surrounded by some degree of controversy. But what is delta 8? Is it the same as other types of THC? Is it legal to use? What’s all the controversy about? If you’re interests about delta 8 are piqued and you’re trying to decide whether or not you should give it a try, keep on reading to find the answers to the aforementioned questions and more. In this article, we’ll take a dive into one of the latest – and most provocative – THC products. What is delta 8, anyway? Short for delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), delta 8 is quite similar to delta 9 THC, the cannabinoid (cannabinoids are the naturally-occurring compounds that all plants contain, and cannabis has many) that creates the psychoactive effect that weed is famous for. When you hear people discussing “THC”, they’re usually talking about delta 9. Delta 8 is also commonly referred to as “dronabinol” or “D8”. Because it’s so similar to delta 9, D8 produces many of the same effects, such as euphoria, relaxation, happiness, and pain relief; just to name a few.