June 24, 2022 There are so many things to be aware of while raising kids and THC is one more topic to put on that list. While the information below won’t cover every detail, we hope it will help you stay up on the constantly changing marijuana of today while better supporting the kids in your lives. Please consider using this information as a starting point for further learning and thoughtful discussions with your family and friends. Please share widely with those that care about kids! Why it Matters: Science tells us the brain does not fully develop until young adults are about 25 years old. As the teenage brain develops, it is vulnerable to any substance that interferes with neural pathways which regulate emotion, mood, and behavior. A growing market of THC products derived from the hemp plant has exploded across the United States. These include substances like Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, HHC and THC-O that mimic the intoxicating effects of marijuana products. Delta-8 can have about 50% to 80% of the psychoactive effect as delta-9 (THC). Dr. Terpeluk in a Cleveland Clinic Article states, “On some level, it’s an unregulated manufacturing market for drugs” . FDA Warning -Many of the chemicals used in synthesizing delta-8 may be harmful. National poison control centers received 2,362 exposure cases of delta-8 THC products between January 1, 2021, and February 28, 2022. Many involved patients less than 18 years of age requiring medical evaluation and hospital admissions. What you need to know: Marijuana plants contain many different natural chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Cannabinoids affect the brain, body, and central nervous system. Delta-9 THC is one of the most prevalent, and well known as the psychoactive compound that causes the intoxicating effects in marijuana. The 2018 Farm Bill, included an amendment to the Controlled Substances Act to exclude the hemp plant from the definition of marijuana, provided it contains no more than a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC. Hemp-derived THC products present an area of legal ambiguity. The market for these products is so new, that state and federal governments are just beginning to respond. Some of the different compounds synthesized from hemp: Delta-8 THC is just one of the many cannabinoids found naturally in cannabis plants. The natural amount of delta-8 THC in hemp is very low, however, the psychoactive compound affects the brain similarly when inhaled or ingested. Delta-8 can be extracted from legal hemp through a chemical process or synthetically created in a lab from CBD. Delta-10 THC doesn't activate the brain like delta-8 THC but still causes a psychoactive effect that may include mood changes. | 
