What's the deal with these "new" hemp based products

In My Humble Opinion
1

So, Mrs. Cheesesteak went to her favorite CBD mail order provider, and wound up getting gummies with something called HHC instead of CBD. Apparently this is a chemical similar to THC, but not derived from marijuana, but from hemp, or maybe synthesized from hemp, so it’s more like CBD in it’s legality/availability, but has psychoactive properties like THC.

Then, when trying to find out what the heck HHC was, I find out about Delta-8, which again is similar to regular THC (aka Delta-9??) but is not regulated like THC. And of course in classic Baader-Meinhof fashion I read today about a person in my town who went to a local ‘health food’ store for CBD, and wound up with Delta-8 and a really bad trip instead.

So, what are these concoctions? Are they mostly harmless and legal THC style derivatives, or gas station potpourri synthetics that you’ll be lucky to survive ingesting, or something in between?

2

They aren’t well regulated so you never know what you are getting. Some synthetic THC substitutes have been dangerous. I don’t know if any other substances they say they have are dangerous but you still won’t know what you actually have so it could be anything. I recall one news story about some kind of supposedly legal CBD pills sold over the counter also contained something illegal that gave people a buzz. The police weren’t trying to charge the retailers, they were trying to find where the pills were made.

3

They’re derived from hemp. I have tried a few of the delta-related gummies and they’re excellent.

4

Where I live, CBD products have to be tested for safety. I have no idea about HHC or anything else not considered legalized pot. I don’t see why someone would take a chance on something that may not be tested and certified safe, but that’s me.