Hemp Derived Delta 9 THC: Understanding Its Legal Status, Effects, Benefits and Future Outlook

Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, is a psychoactive compound that is found in the cannabis plant. THC is responsible for the euphoric and mind-altering effects associated with cannabis use. However, with the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived Delta 9 THC has become a hot topic in the cannabis industry. Read on to learn more about hemp-derived THC, how it is legal, the effects of hemp-derived THC versus marijuana-derived THC, its benefits, and the future outlook in the market.

Hemp-Derived Delta 9 THC: What Is It, Exactly?

As explained above, Delta 9 THC is a psychoactive compound that is extracted from the cannabis plant. Hemp is a strain of the cannabis sativa plant that, under federal law, must contain less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight. Delta 9 THC derived from hemp is genetically identical to that which comes from the marijuana plant. Though marijuana is bred for high THC levels, and hemp legally is not, the average person wouldn’t be able to distinguish the difference between the two plants by looks alone. Hemp-derived THC is about as “real” as it gets and the effects speak for themselves for those who take the time to learn. 

[Photo Link: Canni's Hemp-Derived Delta 9 Subscription Box]

How is Hemp-Derived Delta 9 THC Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp-derived products and hemp was removed from the list of controlled substances. So long as a hemp product contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, it is legal. 

How then, are products available on the market that contain upwards of 20mg of hemp-derived THC per serving? Seems complicated, but it ultimately comes down to “simple” math. The dry weight basis exposes a legal loophole, whereby the final product merely has to have enough weight to offset the dry weight of the THC. You will often see hemp-derived delta 9 products that contain other cannabinoids, nootropics, and natural ingredients to offset the dry weight, adding additional benefits that target sleep, focus, energy, and mental clarity. 

[Photo Link: Newly released Mods gummies]

Look, we’re not math guys either, but we work with trusted and reputable sources and feel confident in their processes. Besides, we don’t leave it to guesswork and these guys don’t either. With the explosion of hemp-derived THC products on the market, it remains more important than ever to make sure that anything you buy is lab-tested by a reputable company for potency and purity.

Effects of Hemp-Derived THC versus Marijuana-Derived THC

As discussed above, the THC compounds found in hemp vs marijuana are genetically identical, and the effects are as well. Of course, this is dependent on the user, the modality, the quality and other factors. Will a 10mg hemp-derived THC edible produce the same effects as a 99% THC vape pen? No. But you’d be hard pressed to tell a 10mg edible of either variety from each other.

Another consideration: hemp-derived Delta 9 THC products will always contains other cannabinoids, compounds, and terpenes that work in synergy to produce what is known as the entourage effect. This means that the combination of cannabinoids and terpenes may produce different effects compared to just THC alone. The entourage effect is believed to enhance the therapeutic benefits of cannabis.

Benefits of Hemp-Derived Delta 9 THC

The medicinal benefits of cannabis aren’t even up for debate anymore. The therapeutic benefits of these plans has been proven time and again. While we always recommending consulting a physician about how using hemp can help improve your health and wellbeing, hemp-derived Delta 9 THC has several potential benefits including:

1. Pain Relief: THC is known to have pain-relieving properties. Hemp-derived Delta 9 THC may help reduce pain associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia.
2. Anxiety and Depression: THC has been shown to have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. Hemp-derived Delta 9 THC may help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
3. Nausea and Vomiting: THC has been used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Hemp-derived Delta 9 THC may help reduce these symptoms in cancer patients.
4. Sleep Disorders: THC has been shown to have sedative effects. Hemp-derived Delta 9 THC may help people with sleep disorders such as insomnia.

Future Outlook in the Market

The hemp-derived delta-9 market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, though the outlook on its continued legality is uncertain. Some states have taken steps to outright ban things like delta-8 THC. [Delta 8 is a naturally occurring minor cannabinoid that requires an aggressive chemical process to convert vs hemp-derived delta 9 THC]. The 2018 Farm Bill is set to expire come fall, and we have to expect that congress is going to be placing a much larger magnifying glass on the legal issues surrounding hemp including THC limits, banking regulations, the FDA, testing requirements, and so forth. Whether that will work out in favor of the industry or against it remains to be seen. As more and more states legalize and the market for THC products continues to increase, the current loophole allows consumers in states that remain behind the times (lookin at you, Wisconsin) to experience the effects and benefits of THC legally. No need to cross state borders and shell out exorbitant taxes for something you can get right in your own backyard, right?