Moon rocks have become a popular cannabis product for anyone seeking a unique experience because of their high THC levels and potency. Since THC isn’t legal in all U.S. states, people are turning to delta-8 moonrocks for a similar but more legal experience.
So, how are delta-8 moon rocks made and what makes them so uniquely potent compared to other cannabis products? This article will provide you with a detailed guide on what they are, how they are made, and what to look for when deciding to purchase delta-8 moon rocks. Read on to find out!
What Exactly are Delta-8 Moon Rocks?
Before jumping into the ingredients of delta-9 moon rocks and how they are made, let’s take a step back to explain what they are. Moon rocks are products that combine different cannabinoids. They are basically dense nugs of hemp flower buds that are sprayed or rolled with various cannabinoids for a more potent effect. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds you can find in cannabis plants, including CBD, CBG, and delta-8 THC.
The cannabinoid delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, or delta-8 THC, can be found in hemp or cannabis plants. However, delta-8 THC is mainly extracted from hemp plants, making them legal on a federal level. They are similar to the more illegal delta-9 THC but have a milder effect and fewer sale restrictions in states, especially delta-8 moonrock products with an overall THC level at the legal amount of 0.3% or less. Delta-8 THC is a newer product available since it only started being extracted and concentrated for consumption after the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized hemp-derived CBD.
Purchasing Delta-8 Moon Rocks
With its rise in popularity, you can find various kinds of delta-8 moon rocks on the market today. When purchasing delta-8 Moon Rocks, quality vendors will provide detailed information on the strain, including a Cannabinoid profile and the potency levels of the product. Understanding the total THC levels to ensure they are below the legal limit and that the product has passed all the required safety tests gives you peace of mind about the quality of the product you purchase.
The strain information can also give you information on the aroma to expect and the intended effect of the product, including whether the strain is Sativa or Indica dominant. Sativa provides a “head high” or energizing effect, while Indicas typically provide full-body effects for relaxation. Whether it is your first time purchasing delta-8 moon rocks or you’ve done it before, knowing the product information and test results are important for the best experience.
Delta-8 Moon Rock Ingredients
While you can find a variety of ingredients for moon rocks, there are 4 main hemp-based products used to make delta-8 moon rocks. Below is more information on each ingredient used in combination to create the final product.
Hemp Flower
The main ingredient and base of the delta-8 moon rock is grade-A hemp flower. You will want a dense and high-quality hemp bud as the basis to add all the other ingredients below.
Delta-8 Distillate
Delta-8 distillate is a liquid form of delta-8 THC. Since delta-8 THC is only around 0.1% of hemp plants, it is isolated and concentrated into liquid form for the added potency to the moon rocks. Around 14 to 20 grams of delta-8 distillate is used for every moon rock.
Kief
All cannabis plants are covered in resinous glands, known as trichomes. Kief is the pure collection of loose cannabis trichomes that break off when they are dry. It is sometimes referred to as cannabis crystals or dust.
Most delta-8 moon rocks will have CBG kief from hemp flowers. CBG is a non-psychoactive and legal cannabinoid offering effects such as relaxation.
Terpenes
The compounds called terpenes are used for the added kick of flavor and aroma to the moon rocks. They contribute to the various aromas associated with delta-8 moon rocks, such as orange, cherry, or earthy tones. While most cannabis plants have naturally occurring terpenes, adding more of this compound provides a higher flavor profile.
How Delta-8 Moon Rocks are Made
Making a delta-8 moon rock requires combining all of the above ingredients into one final product. However, certain steps are taken to pull it off in the appropriate order of combining. These include:
- Selecting high-quality hemp flowers and setting them aside
- Heating the distillate in a glass jar with the terpenes at around a 7% ratio without overheating it, or it will evaporate
- Grabbing a hemp bud with tweezers and dunking it into the warm distillate mixture
- Letting the excess distillate drip off the hemp bud into the glass jar
- Rolling the hemp bud into a Tupperware filled with kief and closing the lid to shake the bud around until the kief is thickly coated
How is Delta-8 THC Distalliate Made?
There are specific steps to get the concentrated form of delta-8 THC. The hemp product must be distilled properly and tested to assess its purity. The overall steps include:
- Dissolving the hemp extract into a solvent for increased viscosity
- Reducing the pH with acetic acid
- Leaving the solution for 3 to 12 hours at room temperature to neutralize the acid
- Removing the solvent and distilling the extract into the concentrated form
Consuming Delta-8 Moon Rocks
When trying new products, such as moon rocks, you want to start slowly at lower amounts. They are highly potent, so it’s best to try a little first, especially for your first time.
You can vape or smoke delta-8 moon rocks; however, it’s best to avoid grinding up your moon rocks because you will lose much of its kief. You can use a dab-rig, bowl, or roll it in a joint. For dab rigs, you only need to slice off a small piece of the moon rock, hold it to the heated nail, and inhale. When using a bowl, you only need a small chunk of the moon rock and mix it with other ground-up CBD flowers.
