The Legality of Cannabis and Delta 8 THC

Since the rise for cannabis products has grown throughout the country, the legality of cannabinoids from Hemp like Cannabidiol and Delta 8 Tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as CBD and Delta 8 THC, has been changing in each individual state. Currently, there are states that have legalized not only Hemp made products, but also products made from Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol or marijuana. In states like Texas, CBD and other cannabinoids derived from Hemp are legal to be sold and consumed by all citizens that contain less than 0.3% of Delta 9 THC. For consumers who are confused about the legality of their cannabis-derived products, this edition of Go Green Botanical’s education articles is going to discuss the legal status of not only CBD but of hemp-derived Delta 8 THC.

What is the Difference Between CBD and Delta 9 THC?

A natural property within hemp, CBD is one of the many cannabinoids in the beneficial cannabis plant that can possibly help relieve stress, pain severity, and more. Although in hemp there are over 100 plus cannabinoids that can help with many different aliments due to the endocannabinoid system. This system interacts with our CB1 and CB2 receptors throughout our brain and immune system to help promote homeostasis and optimum health.

Another recreational cannabinoid with psychoactive and medicinal benefits is Delta 9 THC, which can possibly help with nausea, inflammation, mental cognition, etc. Hemp contains around 20% or more of CBD, but this cannabis plant also contains a trace legal amount of 0.3% Delta 9 THC. Although in Marijuana, only 10% of the plant can possibly contain CBD, while more than 20% to 30% can contain Delta 9 THC. While interacting with the endocannabinoid system, this THC molecule attaches primarily to the CB1 receptor in the brain to help possibly improve neurological function, pain stimuli, and more.

What is the Legality of Hemp and Marijuana Derived Products?

With the 2018 Farm Bill Act, Hemp and all its beneficial cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, and more are legal to obtain and consume in all 50 states. The bill states that “allows the transfer of hemp-derived products across state lines for commercial” and consumerism benefit. The law also states that there are “no restrictions of sale, transport, or possession of hemp-derived products” as long as they contain less than the legal trace limit of 0.3% of Delta 9 THC.

For products that are derived from marijuana, only a few states allow for medicinal and recreational use of cannabis with a higher amount of 0.3% of THC. As of January 2020, The United States has 11 states that allow adults to legally consume all forms of cannabis-derived products without a medical card or other state regulations. This means that citizens in states like Colorado, California, Alaska, and Nevada can legally purchase marijuana at the age of 21 from licensed dispensaries.

Currently, there are more than 23 states in the country that allow their citizens to obtain medical marijuana. For states like New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Arizona, adults are required to obtain a medical card or other form of identification to obtain marijuana-derived products. In these states, some medical marijuana programs take time to create legal dispensaries and retailers for all citizens to purchase in their specific county and jurisdiction. For non-legal marijuana use states like Texas, consumers might have to worry about penalties for possession that could include fines and more.

What is Delta 8 THC?

Naturally derived from hemp, Delta 8 THC has medicinal and psychoactive benefits for helping with pain severity, anxiety, and focus. While Hemp contains 0.3% of Delta 9 THC, this cannabis plant also contains around 1% or more of Delta 8 THC. Both Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC contain similar double-ended bonds in their organic sequences that label the cannabinoids as “Delta THC,” but they also have significant differences within their organic structure. In a Delta 8 THC molecule, the double-bonded atoms will be located at the 8th position within the chain, while with Delta 9 THC it’s double-ended atoms are located in the 9th position in the chemical composition.

Just like Delta 9 THC, Delta 8 THC also binds with the CB1 receptor in the endocannabinoid system, but their psychoactive effects differ from one another. According to a 2016 study, Delta 9 THC could possibly have 50% to 75% more potent psychoactive effects than Delta 8 THC. For consumers who have tried Delta 8 THC in a vape, edible, or tincture formulation, they can possibly active a relaxing “high” with little to no paranoia and/or anxiety.

Why is Delta 8 THC Legal to Consume?

Since Hemp was legalized by the Farm Bill Act, all the cannabinoids, including all the derivatives of THC from hemp is legal to obtain and consume. This pivotal law only has strict regulations on the amount of Delta 9 THC that is legal in hemp-derived products but has no written formalities about the percentage of Delta 8 THC that is considered illegal to consume.

In the Federal Controlled Substance Act that is regulated by the state, the law only lists marijuana as the only cannabis-derived product as schedule one controlled substance. Since Hemp has been removed from the controlled substance list, this makes Delta 8 THC the only legal THC cannabinoid to consume in all fifty states.

For consumers who want to try a legal form of THC, Delta 8 THC can possibly help relieve pain severity, anxiety, improve focus, and much more. Delta 8 THC vapes, edibles, and other products could possibly result in a positive drug test. Go Green Botanicals recommends consumers talk to their doctors first before trying Delta 8 THC and other cannabis-derived products. Individuals who want to try a natural option for health and wellness can possibly benefit from trying Delta 8 THC and other hemp-derived products for long-lasting relief and more. Check out Go Green’s selection of Delta 8 THC products!