Hemp-Derived Delta-9 THC: Too Good To Be True?

January 25, 2024

Did you know that you can now order real THC products to your door, no matter what state you live in? Maybe you’ve seen the buzz online, maybe you’ve heard rumors from people in your smoke circle, or maybe you saw a dorky segment on the nightly news. Either way, Bay Smokes is here to answer all of your questions about hemp-derived THC (and no, it’s not too good to be true!)

What is HD9 THC?

Hemp-derived delta-9, HD9THC, compliant delta 9 THC… whatever you call it, it’s the same THC that you know and love. However, like the name suggests, hemp-derived THC comes from the hemp plant, not from the marijuana plant.

Wait… what’s the difference between hemp and marijuana?

Both hemp and marijuana are kinds of cannabis plants, so they’re very closely related. However, they differ in the amount of THC that they contain. By law, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Marijuana plants have more than 0.3% THC (your average THC flower is about 10-15% THC by dry weight, for reference). Hemp is legal to grow, cultivate, and sell in all 50 states thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. On the other hand, it’s only legal to grow and sell marijuana in the states that have legalized medical or recreational cannabis.

(A side note on the difference between marijuana and cannabis: nowadays, most companies in the cannabis industry use the word “cannabis” instead of “marijuana.” This is because “cannabis” encompasses all cannabinoids and non-THC products. The word “marijuana” also conjures up a lot of out-of-date assumptions about “Reefer Madness” and “The Devil’s Lettuce.” We don’t have to tell you how inaccurate those ideas are, but they do make for a good laugh when you’re toking on some reeferyourself!)

How is Hemp-Derived THC Made?

HD9THC starts with legal hemp that is, by definition, less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. The THC is extracted from the plant in the same way that other cannabinoids like CBD are. That hemp-derived THC oil is then added to edibles that are kept at a ratio of less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.

The result is THC edibles that are legal in all 50 states thanks to legal hemp. Because of the 2018 Farm Bill, you can now order THC edibles (like the ones you find in dispensaries) right to your door no matter where you live!

How is Hemp-Derived THC Different from Regular THC?

On a molecular level, hemp-derived THC and “regular” marijuana-derived THC are identical. The only difference is the plant that the extract came from.

Additionally, hemp-derived THC almost always comes in the form of edibles in order to keep the THC content less than 0.3% by dry weight. Gummies are the most common type of HD9 THC edible, but keep an eye out for more exciting new products as more people find out about this cannabinoid!

What Does Hemp-Derived THC Feel Like?

Because it’s chemically identical to THC, a hemp-derived THC high feels identical to a regular THC high. Hemp-derived THC bonds to both of your cannabinoid receptors, CB1 and CB2, in the same way that “conventional” THC does. This means that hemp-derived THC will give you the combined brain-and-body high that most strains of THC will deliver (except delivered to your door!)

As of right now, hemp-derived THC is only available in edible form (but really—who’s going to complain about edibles?) The only difference between a hemp-derived THC high and a traditional THC high is going to be the difference between an edible high and a smoking or vaping high.

An “Edible High?”

If you’re reading this article, there’s a good chance that we don’t need to explain to you that eating your “greens” and smoking them can feel very different. To be on the safe side, though, here’s a crash course.

When you smoke or vape a cannabis product, the cannabinoids are absorbed through your lungs almost instantly. When you eat a cannabis product, however, the cannabinoids are absorbed through your digestive system and therefore metabolized in a slightly different way. This means that the high from an edible takes longer to kick in and often lasts much longer. Edibles are kind of infamous for being hard to accurately dose, but there’s a difference between your buddy’s homemade weed brownies (no matter what he says, do NOT eat it all at once!) and professionally-formulated edibles purchased from a trusted retailer. Here at Bay Smokes, we pride ourselves on accurate dosing, and we always encourage you to read the packaging and start low and slow until you know your tolerance.

Is Hemp-Derived THC Safe?

Just like all other rare cannabinoids, there hasn’t been a ton of research into hemp-derived delta-9 THC. However, the research that is there suggests that HD9 THC is just as safe as any other cannabinoid when purchased and used responsibly by an adult.

You might have seen some safety concerns about the dosing of compliant D9 products, but we know you’re smart enough to read the label and take it easy. Remember, this is real THC, so it’s just as potent as… real THC.

On top of all that, Bay Smokes rigorously tests all of our products to ensure the best possible purity and safety for our customers 

Is Hemp-Derived THC Legal?

Yes! Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, HD9 THC is legal in all 50 states. The bill specifies that all hemp and hemp products must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight (THC itself isn’t illegal, just high concentrations of it). Cannabis companies have been able to sell real THC by deriving it from legal hemp and keeping the concentration of that hemp-derived THC in their gummies below the 0.3% threshold. The result might be a slightly larger edible, but who’s going to complain about that?

For example, the upcoming Bay Smokes hemp-derived THC9 gummies weigh 3.5g (or 3500mg) and contain 10mg of hemp-derived THC each. This means that each gummy clocks in at far less than the “0.3% THC by dry weight” threshold. Delicious!

Where Can I Buy it?

After reading all that, why wouldn’t you be curious? Bay Smokes is working on a hemp-derived delta-9 THC gummy as we speak. Keep your eyes peeled for our next release!