There are countless companies online that sell delta 8 THC products, and many of them offer free delta 8 samples; all you have to do is pay for shipping. This sounds great; after all, who doesn’t want free delta 8?

Unfortunately, companies that offer free samples often sell low-quality, low-potency, and even potentially unsafe products, to begin with, making their free samples a waste of time.

Worse yet, many of them are scams — unknowingly signing you up for a subscription you can’t get out of.

Here, we’ll explain why “free delta 8 samples” don’t actually exist, why you should be very careful with low-quality distillate, and what you can do to get a good deal on delta 8 THC instead.

Is Free Delta 8 THC Legit?

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Delta 8 is expensive to produce; the prices are what they are for a reason. The only delta 8 that’s worth giving away is the bottom of the barrel distillate — and nobody, I repeat, nobody, should be using this stuff. Period.

Delta 8 that isn’t made with a high degree of integrity and skill carries an inherent risk of contamination. Unwanted chemical byproducts, heavy metals, residual solvents, pesticide residues all carry a significant risk of causing harm.

On top of the risk of contamination, most of the companies offering free samples are straight-up scams looking to capitalize on the growing popularity of delta 8 THC and other hemp-derived cannabinoids. Unfortunately, most consumers don’t know how to tell if a company or its products are a scam.

Here are 3 reasons why you should avoid free delta 8 products: 

1. They Might Be Contaminated

Some delta 8 THC companies get their hemp, extracts, or other cannabinoid products from questionable sources.

Unregulated hemp can contain heavy metals like copper, iron, mercury, and lead, residual chemicals from pesticides or herbicides used during the production, and several other nasty compounds. These contaminants are often harmful to your health but still make their way into products sold for consumption by low-quality companies.

Sometimes companies will find these contaminants in their products and are no longer legally allowed to sell them. So instead of tossing in the trash where they belong, companies will give them away for free and use it as a marketing ploy. This is the main reason we advise our customers to be wary of free products in this space.

2. Spam Contact Harvesting

Some companies hop on to emerging trends for information harvesting. They’ll offer free delta 8 or other trendy products to collect your personal information, which they can then sell to other companies.

These companies don’t care about the quality of the delta 8 they’re giving away and will cut whatever corners they can to minimize the cost per customer acquisition.

Often, what you end up in the mail isn’t delta 8 THC at all. We’ve heard of at least one case where someone received hemp seed oil and another with some sort of corn syrup mix.

Once the company has your information, you’ll begin receiving unsolicited emails and phone calls for months or even years after the fact.

3. “Free Trial” Scams

Another potential issue with free delta 8 THC samples is that particularly nefarious companies will overcharge you for shipping or sign you up for a subscription to its products.

The company will claim to offer free trials for delta 8, CBD, or other cannabinoids — all you have to pay for is the shipping. This feels like an excellent deal, but what most people miss is that within the fine print is authorization to charge you the full price after 30-days for a renewal of the subscription.

It’s common for these costs to run between $40 and $100 per month.

These subscriptions are designed to be impossible to unsubscribe from. The phone lines take you in endless loops, the emails go unanswered, and there’s no physical storefront or office to march into.

Ultimately, the only way out of these scams is to cancel your credit card.

How To Verify Premium Delta 8 Vendors

While it might be tempting to agree to a free delta 8 THC sample, it’s always worth the investment to do some research on a company and then purchase products.

Identifying a safe and reputable company will reduce the risk of health issues and the risk of losing your hard-earned money to a scam company or a product that lacks potency.

Below are some of the qualities you should consider looking for in a delta 8 THC company before purchasing products from them.

1. Look For Third-Party Lab Results

The hemp industry is largely unregulated, so it can be challenging to identify what is in a delta 8 product. Thankfully, a developing industry standard involves companies sending products to third-party labs to test them for contaminants and potency.

Some companies post third-party lab results online for all customers to view, while others only make them available upon request. Those that are transparent and post them online are generally more reliable and are more likely to provide safe, high-quality products that are worth your money.

2. Opt For Companies That Use Modern (And Safe) Extraction Methods

There is no standard extraction method to acquire concentrated cannabinoids like delta 8 THC from hemp. Some companies use potentially harmful gasses like butane or hexane. Instead, it’s best to look for companies that use CO2 extraction methods that are more costly but much safer for you as the consumer.

Companies that don’t offer any information on how their extracts were made should be avoided too.

3. Check How Long the Company Has Been Around For

With delta 8 THC and other cannabinoids gaining popularity so rapidly, companies naturally come and go as hype builds, and then the reality of low-quality products sets in. Buying from a company with some longevity in the hemp industry doesn’t guarantee a potent and safe product, but it gives you a better chance of getting delta 8 THC that will meet your expectations.

Checking company reviews — especially on third-party sites like Reddit — can also be a great way to assess the general opinion of a delta 8 company, along with the safety and potency of its products.

4. Make Sure the Company Has Up to Date Contact Information

Finally, checking the company’s website for contact information and a mission statement or company purpose is a good way to assess the brand’s reputation. New delta 8 companies that get into the industry just to turn a profit are more likely to provide low-quality products or skimp on potency. These companies rarely have legit contact information or company info posted on their sites.

Wrapping Up: Seek Out Good Deals Rather Than Free Delta 8

Free delta 8 THC samples sound enticing, but they’re often not worth the risk. Many companies that offer free samples or just-pay-for-shipping deals often sell low-quality and potentially dangerous products. Some contain heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and dangerous solvents.

Instead, it’s worth paying a bit of money to get a high-quality product from a reputable vendor. You’re more likely to get a product that is safe to consume, doesn’t contain contaminants, and delivers the potency you’re probably looking for in a delta 8 product.

At Area 52, we’re offering a 15% discount for new customers.

This is our way of providing you with a more affordable way of testing our delta 8 products that are worth your time and money. All of Area 52’s products are put through rigorous third-party testing, have clearly-stated potencies, and maintain overwhelmingly positive reviews online.

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