The European Food Safety Authority determined delta-8-THC has equivalent potency to delta-9-THC and set a combined acute reference dose of 1 microgram per kilogram body weight, finding many food samples exceed natural delta-8 levels.
Food safety regulators, hemp product manufacturers, cannabis policy analysts
Delta-8-THC rated as equally potent to delta-9-THC
What the researchers found
EFSA set a relative potency factor of 1 for delta-8-THC (equivalent to delta-9-THC) based on clinical data showing a potency ratio between 1 and 1.4. The existing acute reference dose of 1 microgram/kg body weight was extended as a group ARfD for combined delta-8 and delta-9-THC. Many food products showed delta-8-to-delta-9 ratios above 1, indicating addition of semi-synthetic delta-8-THC or enrichment beyond natural levels.
Why it matters
Delta-8-THC has exploded as a legal alternative in many markets by exploiting hemp farm bill loopholes. EFSA treating it as equally potent to delta-9-THC and finding evidence of semi-synthetic production in food products has major regulatory implications.
The numbers in context
Relative potency factor: 1 (range 1-1.4); group ARfD: 1 microgram/kg body weight; 1,145 food samples analyzed; 96-99% of hemp seeds/oils below detection; highest levels in supplements and confectionery; only 96 of 1,145 samples had both compounds detected.
How the study worked
EFSA CONTAM Panel scientific opinion using clinical study data on relative potency, occurrence data from 1,145 food samples, and risk assessment methodology to derive health-based guidance values.
What this study cannot tell us
Limited clinical data on relative potency (confidence interval 0.97-1.63 includes slightly lower potency). Most food samples were below detection limits, limiting occurrence analysis. European food supply may differ from U.S. market where delta-8 products are more prevalent.
How to read the evidence
Formal regulatory scientific opinion from EFSA based on clinical data and comprehensive food occurrence analysis.
When this study was published
2025 EFSA opinion
The bigger picture
This EFSA opinion could influence global food safety standards for cannabinoids. The finding that many delta-8-THC-positive products appear to contain semi-synthetic material challenges the "natural hemp product" marketing of many delta-8 products.
Questions still open
- Will other food safety agencies adopt the same potency equivalence for delta-8 and delta-9-THC?
- How much semi-synthetic delta-8-THC is entering the food supply through hemp products?
Common questions
Is delta-8-THC as strong as regular THC?
Is delta-8-THC natural or synthetic?
Read the original research
Derivation of a health-based guidance value for Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) and its occurrence in food.
EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 23(11), e9735
Citation
Knutsen, Helle Katrine; Åkesson, Agneta; Bampidis, Vasileios; Bignami, Margherita; Chipman, James Kevin; Degen, Gisela; Hernández-Jerez, Antonio; Hofer, Tim; Hogstrand, Christer; Landi, Stefano; Leblanc, Jean-Charles; Machera, Kyriaki; Ntzani, Evangelia; Oswald, Isabelle P; Rychen, Guido; Sand, Salomon; Vejdovszky, Katharina; Viviani, Barbara; Dusemund, Birgit; Nebbia, Carlo; Weigel, Stefan; Cascio, Claudia; Christodoulidou, Anna; Abrahantes, José Cortiñas; Dujardin, Bruno; Gissi, Andrea; Asensio, Lydia Alarcón; Gkimprixi, Eleni; Tauriainen, Tuuli; Bodin, Laurent. (2025). Derivation of a health-based guidance value for Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC) and its occurrence in food.. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority, 23(11), e9735. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9735