The CBD industry is booming and hemp is having a heyday. Legal hemp products are everywhere, and CBD has become an increasingly popular wellness product. In case you haven’t heard, the newest trend in hemp products just so happens to be THC.
Yes, we’re talking about the same intoxicating THC that’s been illegal at the federal level for almost 100 years. Guess what? When it’s derived from hemp and products contain less than 0.3%, THC is considered compliant with the Farm Bill. Even when it may cause an intoxicating effect.
There’s a difference between hemp-derived THC and marijuana-derived THC, most of which comes down to legality. Here we’ll take a closer look at all things legal THC, particularly when the cannabinoid is derived from hemp.
Is THC Legal at the Federal Level?
Let’s talk about THC legality.
When the Farm Bill was passed, it legalized hemp on the federal level. It was removed from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and categorized as an agricultural commodity. Essentially, this removed any THC present in hemp from the CSA as well.
Our CBD + THC Gummies contain THC and are totally legal at the federal level. Wondering how this is possible? It comes down to two specific things: the THC in our gummies is derived from hemp, and the gummies contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.
By law, hemp is defined as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.” Ultimately this definition protects both hemp-derived CBD and hemp-derived THC.
Our CBD + THC gummies are derived from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. What exactly does “dry weight basis” mean? According to USDA legislation, “dry weight basis” is defined as: “A basis for expressing the percentage of a chemical in a substance after removing the moisture from the substance. Percentage of THC on a dry weight basis means the percentage of THC, by weight, in a cannabis item (plant, extract, or other derivative), after excluding moisture from the item.”
Because our CBD + THC gummies follow both of the above hemp legislation definitions, they’re legal at a federal level, are protected in interstate commerce, and can be legally shipped to all 50 states.
Difference between Delta-8 THC and Delta 9-THC Gummies
You might’ve noticed the big increase in legal Delta-9 and Delta-8 THC products, both of which are legal at the federal level when derived from hemp and containing no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. They contain the same molecular structure, aside from the location of a double bond between two carbon atoms.
Delta-9 THC is the type of THC that most people are familiar with, and what we’ve chosen to use in our CBD gummies. It’s the most abundant cannabinoid found in cannabis (CBD is second), and it’s the cannabinoid that’s been studied the most extensively. It’s also what produces the mind-altering effects THC is famous for.
Delta-8 causes similar mind-altering effects to Delta-9, but only a very small amount is found in cannabis. The levels of Delta-8 produced in cannabis are so low it’s considered a minor cannabinoid that has received very limited attention until very recently. It’s also so difficult to extract from cannabis that the large majority of what’s available on the market is heavily processed.
So why are we seeing more Delta-8 THC products? It’s simple. The CBD industry is overly saturated and CBD producers interested in increasing their revenue have discovered that by converting CBD into Delta-8 THC they can significantly increase their profit margins. It’s legal, after all, and can be sold in states without recreational cannabis laws.
The process to convert CBD into Delta-8 THC involves an aggressive reaction process that uses a variety of chemicals and acids. The result of this process offers a product that contains reaction byproducts, isomers and cannabinoids that aren’t naturally-occurring in cannabis and aren’t tested for safety.
Not exactly what most people are looking for when choosing a product intended to support their wellbeing. Keep in mind that the legal CBD market is still highly unregulated. Without FDA approval, products like Delta-8 can be marketed and sold despite any impurities they might contain.
Delta-9 THC is different. As the most abundant cannabinoid, it can be easily and inexpensively extracted. We believe cannabis products should be as pure as possible, which is exactly why we’ve chosen quality hemp-derived Delta-9 THC for our CBD/THC gummies.
What about the effects of hemp-derived THC, though? Are they different from THC that’s been derived from marijuana?
Not in the slightest. Check it out.
The Effects of Hemp- vs. Marijuana-Derived THC
Most people that use products containing THC do so for the mind-alerting effects the cannabinoid produces. Because CBD is non-intoxicating and derived from hemp, it’s often assumed that the effects of hemp-derived THC might be different than that derived from marijuana.
Here’s the thing, though. It’s the exact same molecule. The effects a cannabinoid produces aren’t different just because it’s extracted from a different plant, though. Delta-9 THC is still Delta-9 THC whether it comes from hemp or marijuana, offering the same blissfully relaxing, euphoric effects that have made it famous.
Last Thoughts on Hemp THC vs. Marijuana THC
When it comes down to it, Delta-9 THC is Delta-9 THC. The biggest difference between hemp-derived THC and marijuana-derived THC is the legality at the federal level.
Hemp-derived THC is legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis, while marijuana-derived THC is only legal in states that have passed medical or recreational marijuana laws. Marijuana-derived THC is still considered illegal at the federal level.
Legal hemp THC is game-changing for the cannabis industry, offering consumers across the country an opportunity to legally experience THC’s effects and potential benefits.
Hannah Smith is Joy Organics Director of Communications. She is driven by her passion for providing clear and accessible wellness and CBD education. In 2015, she received her BA in Media, Culture and the Arts from The King’s College in New York City and before Joy Organics, worked as writer and photographer in the Middle East and North Africa. Her work has been featured on Forbes, Vice, Vox, Denver Post, and the Coloradoan.
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