Since the passing of the Farm Bill in 2018, cannabis consumers have had legal access to a very interesting range of cannabinoid products online and in shops. Some of these products even contain amounts of THC even in states whose laws make weed illegal.
This is where hemp derived Delta 9 THC comes into the picture.
Today, hemp derived Delta 9 THC has become quite the rave in the cannabis industry as it contains the same THC that’s the active component in weed and its derivate products.
So, how’s hemp derived Delta 9 THC legally available at federal and state levels? Well, there’s a catch.
The Farm Bill only allows manufacturers to sell products infused with hemp derived Delta 9 THC as long as the THC is 0.3% or less by dry weight. Not to worry, we’ll catch you up on intriguing details you need to know about this intriguing line of cannabinoid products and more.
Key Takeways
- Hemp Derived Delta 9 THC refers to Delta 9 THC that was extracted from hemp plants, a variant of the cannabis plant family.
- The only difference between hemp derived Delta 9 THC and regular Delta 9 is their sources. Otherwise, they are essentially the same.
- Since both are identical compounds, hemp derived Delta 9 THC may get you high if you take enough of it.
What is Hemp Derived Delta 9?
Hemp derived Delta 9 is just what it sounds like — Delta 9 THC derived from the hemp plant.
But here’s some context for you. Hemp is a relative of the cannabis plants that generally contains lower levels of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which is the psychoactive constituent of cannabis, and higher levels of CBD (cannabidiol), which is non-pyschoactive and non-addictive.
However, this means you can extract THC, however small, from hemp plants.
So, what makes hemp derived Delta 9 THC so different if it contains the same psychoactive component that makes weed illegal in most states and many countries?
The key is the 2018 US Farm Bill.
In 2018, the US senate legalized hemp and hemp derived products — including Delta 9 THC — with the clause that it has to contain 0.3% or less Delta 9 THC by dry weight. The bill defines hemp as any cannabis sativa plant that contains less than 0.3% THC.
As a result, the effects of hemp derived Delta 9 THC are generally not as powerful as cannabis- derived Delta 9 THC as it contains a much lower concentration of the compound. However, this is not to say that you cannot get high on hemp derived Delta 9 THC.
It is basically the same narrative between light beer and stronger drinks, say whiskey.
While whiskey will generally get most people drunk much faster, if you take enough light beers, you’ll drunk too.
Like cannabis derived Delta 9 THC, you can consume hemp derived Delta 9 in a variety of forms. While edibles like gummies and brownies may be the most popular, you also have the option of Delta 9 THC capsules, vapes, and tinctures.
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Is Hemp Derived Delta 9 Legal?
While the popularity of hemp derived Delta 9 THC is undoubtedly growing very quickly, it is not without some controversy. One of the most debated subjects related to this cannabinoid product is its legality.
However, ideally there should be no debate or confusion.
At the federal level, hemp derived Delta 9 products are legal as provided by the Farm Bill. And here’s how the bill defines hemp:
“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.”
The key points to note are the weight limit for Delta 9 (0.3% by dry weight) and that the provision that refers to all derivates, extracts and cannabinoids.
Therefore, hemp derived Delta 9 THC is legal at the federal level, provided it meets these specifications. However, specific state laws is where there is some debate.
The legal status of hemp derived Delta 9 THC can vary depending on the jurisdiction. While the federal standpoint puts hemp derived Delta 9 in the green, you should note that individual states may have their own regulations and restrictions on producing and selling hemp derived Delta 9 THC products.
There is also still some gray regarding the interpretation of the Farm Bill.
While many experts believe the “dry weight” clause of the 2018 Farm Bill refers to the moisture content of hemp flower when determining its THC content, others interpret it as the weight of THC in the finished product.
Either way, the key to staying on the right side of the law is to keep the volume of THC in your hemp derived Delta 9 THC at 0.3% or lower.
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Does Hemp Derived Delta 9 Get You High?
Right off the bat, the answer is yes. Since hemp derived Delta 9 contains the same THC that you’ll find in cannabis, it can potentially get you high if you take enough of it.
However, although hemp derived Delta 9 has psychoactive effects, the intensity of these effects is generally less vivid than that of cannabis derived Delta 9 THC due to the lower concentration of the compound — less than 0.3% by dry weight. In other words, hemp derived Delta 9 THC may be less potent compared to its cannabis-derived counter part.
Depending on dosage and specific tolerance, some people may not even feel the psychoactive properties of hemp derived Delta 9. But, this may only hold up to certain threshold levels and dosages.
In the same way, if hemp derived Delta 9 THC can get you high, it also means that it has the potential to cause side effects if you consume too much. Of course, it goes without saying that hemp derived Delta 9 can also impair cognitive and motor function.
So, we don’t recommend driving or operating heavy machinery if you’ve had some hemp derived Delta 9.
Additionally, the use of Delta 9 THC can interact with other medications and substances, so it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before using, especially if you are taking any other medications.
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Will Hemp Derived Delta 9 Show Up on a Drug Test?
While hemp derived Delta 9 products are required to contain less 0.3% THC, it is still about enough to make a person fail a drug test.
First off, hemp derived Delta 9 THC and the regular THC in cannabis are the same compound. Secondly, not all drug tests are the same and each one may test for different nanograms of Delta 9 THC. Therefore, chances are if you consume hemp derived Delta 9, it will show up on a drug test.
That said, your dosage also has a lot to do with whether or not you pass the test.
Depending on how much hemp derived delta products you consume, you may be able to get away with it during a drug test. Also, your body’s metabolism can also play a role here.
Either way, if you’re worried about the THC showing up in a test, thoroughly researching the hemp derived Delta 9 product to ensure it has third party lab test results that indicate low levels of THC can guide your choice of purchase. But remember, low levels of THC are not fail-safe when it comes to drug testing.
Therefore, if you have a drug test coming up, it may be best to stay off Delta 9 (hemp derived or not) until after the test.
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Hemp Derived Delta 9 Gummies
Hemp derived Delta 9 products are steadily growing in popularity and gummies seem to be leading the pack. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer is careful about THC concentrations, cross-contamination, and governmental regulations.
Check out our choices for Best Hemp Derived Delta 9 Gummies below:
