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Survey reveals that a high number of American adolescents are using delta-8 THC extracted from hemp
Many U.S. teens are turning to a new trend for getting high – delta-8 THC. This compound, which is derived from hemp, has been gaining popularity among high school seniors, especially in areas where marijuana is still illegal. A recent study conducted by researchers at USC and the University of Michigan found that more than 11% of high school seniors admitted to using delta-8 THC in the past year, a figure that came as a surprise to the researchers.
Delta-8 THC products, such as gummies and vapes, are readily available online, in gas stations, and convenience stores. They are often marketed as a legal alternative to marijuana, despite concerns about age verification measures. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, which helped fund the research, cautioned that cannabis use, in general, can have negative impacts on the adolescent brain.
Delta-8 THC is a molecular lookalike to delta-9 THC, the main compound in cannabis responsible for the euphoric high. However, delta-8 has a slightly different structure, with a double bond located between a different set of carbon atoms. While users have reported that delta-8 has less intense effects compared to delta-9, the FDA has not evaluated the safety of delta-8 products. There are concerns that the chemicals used to convert cannabinoids into delta-8 may contain harmful contaminants.
The popularity of delta-8 products soared after the 2018 passage of an agricultural bill that eased federal restrictions on hemp. This allowed for the extraction of chemical compounds from hemp, such as CBD, and the conversion into substances with intoxicating effects. While some states have restricted or banned delta-8, it is considered “de facto legal” in nearly half of the states.
The survey also revealed that teen use of delta-8 was more common in states where the compound was not regulated. Researchers expressed concerns about the lack of oversight and quality control in these products, urging caution for those considering experimenting with delta-8.
Despite the legal ambiguity surrounding delta-8, some states have implemented strict regulations. In California, industrial hemp products cannot contain more than a 0.3% concentration of THC, including delta-8 THC. However, there is widespread disregard for these rules, leading to an abundance of delta-8 products available through internet and convenience stores.
Moving forward, researchers plan to expand their studies to understand the health impacts of delta-8 use among teens. With a significant number of high school seniors already using delta-8, there is a growing concern about the potential consequences on their health and well-being. It is vital to raise awareness about the risks associated with delta-8 THC and to advocate for stricter regulation to protect vulnerable populations, especially adolescents.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
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