Answer
Hemp-derived THC is tetrahydrocannabinol pulled from Cannabis sativa plants that test at 0.3% or less delta-9 THC by dry weight. The 2018 Farm Bill set that number. A plant above 0.3% is marijuana under federal law. A plant at or below 0.3% is hemp.
Hemp Derived THC Dosage: What You Need to Know
Hemp and marijuana are the same species. The dividing line is the delta-9 THC concentration on a dry weight basis. It is not the plant's look, the strain name, or the store that sells it.
Types of Hemp-Derived THC
- Delta-9 THC. The main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Hemp flower and hemp extract carry small amounts.
- Delta-8 THC. A minor cannabinoid. Most retail delta-8 is converted from CBD in a lab.
- Delta-10 THC. Same origin as delta-8. Sold in vapes and gummies.
- THCP and THCV. Minor cannabinoids sold in small volumes. Published human research is thin.
- HHC. Not a THC. It is a hydrogenated analog of THC.
How Delta-8 and Similar Products Are Made
CBD is extracted from hemp, then treated with a solvent and an acid catalyst. The reaction shifts the CBD molecule into delta-8 THC or delta-10 THC. The output is distilled, mixed into oil, and dosed into gummies, tinctures, or vape cartridges. Residual solvents, acids, and byproducts can stay in the batch if the lab work is poor.
Potency
Federal law caps THC in the plant, not in the package. States set the finished-product caps. Common state limits are 5 mg of THC per serving and 50 mg per package. Other states allow 100 mg or more per package. A gummy can hold 25 mg of delta-9 THC and still be sold as a hemp product in some states.
Edible onset runs 30 to 90 minutes. Peak effects land at 2 to 4 hours. Total duration runs 4 to 8 hours. Inhaled products start in minutes and fade in 1 to 3 hours. Body weight, food in the stomach, and tolerance change all of those numbers.
Testing and Labels
A certificate of analysis (COA) reports potency and contaminants for one batch. Look for a lab name, a batch number, and a test date. A full panel covers cannabinoid potency, residual solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, and microbials. Some labels list THC in mg per piece. Others list mg per package. Read the unit before you dose.
Law
The FDA has not approved hemp-derived THC for any medical use. The agency has warned that delta-8 products are sold in forms that appeal to children and that some labels list inaccurate potency. State law varies. Many states ban delta-8 or cap THC per package. Check your state rules before you buy. Do not carry hemp THC across state lines.
At the Store
Staff at a licensed shop should hand you the COA for the batch on the shelf. Ask for it. Compare the listed THC number to the label on the package. Check the package for a child-resistant lid, a batch code, and an expiration date.
Questions to Ask
- Which lab ran the test, and what is the test date?
- How many mg of THC per piece and per package?
- Is the product delta-8, delta-9, or a blend of both?
- Does the COA cover solvents and pesticides, or potency alone?
- What is the return policy if the label is wrong?