5 Ways to Spot a Counterfeit Delta 8 Product

Nowadays, delta 8 THC is in higher demand than ever before as more and more people discover its variety of unique and enjoyable effects. This is great for the hemp industry, with companies introducing all kinds of exceptional products infused with concentrated forms of this beloved cannabinoid. But, with high demand always comes a greater likelihood of encountering fake products, which naturally we all want to avoid.

Why Do Fake Delta 8 Products Even Exist?

You would think that an industry as mainstream as the hemp industry would be subjected to extremely strict federal standards to avoid fakes being introduced onto the market. But sadly, while the hemp market awaits governing regulation, companies can basically do whatever they want when making delta 8. Hence, the reason for this may surprise you.

A fake delta 8 THC product might contain zero delta 8 at all, and less experienced customers may simply not know any better. Some fake delta 8 can be dangerous, since shady companies can put anything that they want into their formulas. Of course, this is the reason why you should only buy it from a trusted, reputable brand, preferably online and directly from the company, to completely avoid ending up with potentially dangerous counterfeit delta-8.

What Can You Do Then?

Good news is that there are some easy ways to identify a fake delta 8 product. Simply take note of them for the next time you choose to purchase a delta 8 formula.

Tip #1: Look for a Company’s Contact Information That is Usually Provided on Their Website

A company that has nothing to hide will make it quite easy for customers to access them through phone or email, or even better, live chat. If a company doesn’t make it easy for you to get in touch, you have to ask yourself why – is it because they do not want to hear from customers who had unhappy experiences with their products?

A company that does not even have any online presence whatsoever is a huge red flag. Delta 8 is a highly competitive industry, and you really cannot survive if you don’t have a website, as well as social media of some kind. Companies who engage in sketchy practices, however, likely want to lay low and not draw too much attention to themselves outside of offering some products in stores.

Tip #2: Look for Lab Tests from a Third-Party

This is a standard created and maintained by the hemp industry as a whole and has also been in practice for years. The process is simple:

1. A hemp company sends their batch of delta 8 extract to a third-party laboratory that has a license from the state to analyze samples of hemp.
2. The batch is fully tested for purity levels, quality, and of course, legitimacy.
3. Then, the sample is sent back to the company along with the resulting lab reports verifying that the product is up to par.
4. From there, the company makes these lab reports available to the public, most of the time through their website, to prove their authenticity and quality levels.

Now, a company that does not engage in third-party testing is a company that should be avoided entirely. After all, if a company is selling fake delta 8 THC, this would be indicated in a lab test. Sadly, you also have to remember that companies can fake lab reports. The only way to verify the authenticity of a lab report is to find the laboratory’s name on the upper corner of the sheet and look them up to find their certification with the state. However, most counterfeit companies don’t even go through all this trouble, and so most lab reports are legitimate.

Tip #3: Read Those Ingredients

One key giveaway of a fake product is the list of ingredients. While companies can fake the ingredients, due to existing FDA protocol that requires all products sold in stores to list their ingredients, a fake company is unlikely to take the risk. This means that most brands selling fake products will be honest about the ingredients inside, and this is where you can determine whether or not the product is safe or authentic. Obviously, if there is no hemp-derived delta 8 in the list, it’s a fake.

Also, if the ingredients sound like they do not belong in a delta 8 product, stay away. Examples include certain types of medications and chemical ingredients that don’t ordinarily exist in commonly used delta 8 formulas.

Tip #4: Consider the Source

We mentioned earlier that it’s always best to buy delta 8 THC directly from the manufacturer through their website. Why? Because you can count on getting the actual product you wanted to buy. Delta 8 sold in unlicensed business environments like flea markets and local ads on Craigslist are hard to verify in terms of their authenticity, so you should just avoid these places altogether. You might even find fake delta-8 in gas stations, not because the owners of these businesses are trying to fool you, but because they simply don’t know enough about it to know how to spot a fake themselves.

We strongly recommend only buying delta 8 online, as you can access lab reports for yourself.

Tip #5: Give that Delta 8 THC Product a Smell

This might not always be possible, but if you can, smell a product before you buy it, or at least before you take it for the first time. Delta 8 products should never smell like synthetic chemicals, as these can be harmful and are never used by legitimate companies. Also, if the delta 8 product has terpenes in it, such as strain-specific vape cartridges or full spectrum gummies, you’ll know the authenticity easily because terpenes have a very specific smell – in fact, it’s the smell of the hemp plant itself.

Don’t Be Fooled into Buying a Fake Delta 8 Product

It is appalling that there are companies out there selling fake and potentially dangerous delta 8 THC products. Fortunately, however, spotting a fake isn’t that hard, especially if you have some experience with delta 8 that can give you an idea of how a product should look and smell. And, the best way to avoid fakes altogether is to simply buy your delta 8 products directly at The Calm Leaf. Here, you can know with absolute certainty that what you’re buying is 100% authentic.