When you’re trying something new for the first time, it’s only natural to question the ingredients before you put them in your body. Even though manufacturers have been able to produce and sell Delta-9 gummies since 2018 legally, there’s no harm in performing research for your own peace of mind. Every product is different, which means ingredients can also be different. However, you might see some of the following common ingredients in many of the gummy products for sale.
Hemp-Derived Delta-9 THC
Look at the packaging of any Delta 9 gummies, and you’ll likely see 100% compliant hemp-derived Delta-9 THC listed as one of the primary ingredients. You might even read information about the hemp within the gummies being organic and grown in the United States. Full-spectrum Delta-9 THC does not contain more than 0.3% dry-weight THC, which means it fits within the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill and is legal in many states.
Full-Spectrum Hemp Distillate
Some Delta-9 gummies contain full-spectrum CBD or hemp distillate. This describes all cannabinoids found in a hemp plant. The distillate itself is the result of the initial extraction from the hemp plant and typically comes from a plant with a high CBD percentage.
Terpenes
Sometimes, you might see terpenes listed as an ingredient in Delta-9 gummies and other products. Terpenes are chemical compounds found in many animals and plants. They’re generally responsible for colors, flavors, and aromas you associate with different vegetation. When referring to terpenes in cannabis, they give the different strains their distinct taste and odor. While terpenes are commonly found in cannabis, herbs, and even citrus fruits, they can also be processed and manufactured in products like dyes and cleaning solvents.
Colors and Flavors
Many people choose Delta-9 gummies over other CBD and THC products due to their palatability. While some people prefer to smoke CBD flower, gummies can be far more delicious, discreet, and convenient. The flavors and colors can vary from one product to the next, depending on your chosen flavor. For example, a mixed fruit gummy might have a variety of natural flavor additives like berry and apple, as well as organic blue, red, and green colors for more authenticity.
In most situations, the flavoring, such as pineapple, watermelon, grape, and green apple, comes from natural sources. This can give you peace of mind that you’re only putting natural ingredients in your body.
Pectin
Pectin is an essential component of preserves like jellies, jams, and gels. It’s a natural type of starch present in fruit and vegetable cell walls, but it can also be commercially produced. Many manufacturers purchase it in powder and liquid form. When combined with sugar and acid, pectin gives the final product its semi-solid texture. It also undoubtedly contributes to the textures of many different gummy products on the market.
Glucose Syrup
Glucose syrup, also called confectioner’s glucose, is a common ingredient in many gummies on the market. It’s made from the hydrolysis of starch and is effectively a sugar. However, confectioners and other product manufacturers use it as a sweetener, thickener, and agent for retaining moisture.
Glucose syrup and related corn syrup offer little nutritional value, but they can contribute to a product’s palatability, potentially making you more inclined to consume a product and experience benefits from other ingredients like hemp to potentially help you sleep.
Tapioca Syrup
The sweetness of Delta-9 gummies has many purchasers coming back for more, but it’s not always just glucose syrup that adds to their sweetness. The natural liquid sweetener known as tapioca syrup is also sometimes added.
Tapioca syrup comes from the tapioca starch of cassava plant roots. Many individuals and businesses use the resultant sweetener for baked goods, drinks, and food, which might otherwise lack flavor. Some people also use it to enhance the richness of food, while others prefer it over sugar for having fewer calories and carbs.
Titanium Dioxide
While not present in all Delta-9 gummies, titanium dioxide does appear on the ingredient list of some. Also known as titania, it’s a white mineral that naturally occurs in the environment and can be mined. It’s also odorless, absorbent, commonly used for providing opacity to products, and used by Delta-9 product manufacturers within food coloring.
While it has long been used as a bleaching agent in porcelain enamels for hardness, acid resistance, and brightness, titanium dioxide is also prevalent in cosmetics, lotions, and skincare products. Due to its photocatalytic acidity, it even boasts disinfecting and self-cleaning properties when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The most reputable Delta-9 product suppliers want you to have all the facts before making a purchasing decision. Don’t be afraid to research all the listed ingredients before deciding which product you’d like to buy.