COLUMBUS, Ohio — Delta-8 THC is a compound that can be found hemp.

What You Need To Know

  • Delta-8 THC can be found in hemp and when manipulated, can give people a high when consumed like marijuana

  • Accessibility to kids is creating a safety concern according to DeWine and experts because of what Delta-8 THC can do to kids' brains 

  • Delta-8 THC are catered to kids because of the packaging and marketing

When concentrated or manipulated, it can give people a high when consumed, just like marijuana.

“Well, Delta-8 has gotten a lot easier to get now,” said Gary Wenk, a professor of behavioral science at Ohio State University.

It can be easily accessible for both adults and children. There were more than 100 reported poisonings that involved Delta-8 THC last year, according to data from the Ohio Poison Control Center. Among those, approximately 40% affected children.

Gov. Mike DeWine is calling on lawmakers to regulate it.

“When it’s hurting kids are serious risk for children, I think that means it’s time for the state legislature to take action,” said DeWine.

During a news conference Wednesday, DeWine held up a bag of Delta-8 THC gummies to show how the packaging can be catered to a younger audience. When children ingest too much, it can have serious effects on their brains.

“We know they’re harmful for kids. We know they’re readily available. And today you can ask your state legislature to take action,” said DeWine. “We cannot, local police cannot move anything. I cannot do anything without action by the state legislature.”

Joseph Evans, owner of H&H Hemp Company, said that Delta-8 is not the problem, but misuse is.

“Delta-8 is regulated by the Ohio Department of Agriculture. That’s who we answer to,” said Evans. “There’s a lot of people who feel like Delta -8 is not regulated. That’s a myth. That’s not true at all. And like any other product, it’s only unsafe if you have people that don’t know what they’re doing with it.”

Delta-8 is not unsafe, Evans said.

“There are what I would call, ‘bad actors’ out there that are manufacturing products that are not what I would consider safe,” said Evans. “Delta-8 isn’t unsafe. It just there’s people that have unsafe practices.”

As for DeWine, he said going forward he will continue to advocate against the selling of Delta-8 THC in general, not just to children.