Is Hemp THC Different from Regular THC?

hemp industry hemp market hemp THC

Many often ask about THC, hemp versus “regular” or marijuana-derived THC. You may have seen hemp-based THC on shelves in gummies, vapes, and tinctures of states where pot is still illegal. 

Do you use hemp THC the same as regular THC, or do they have some big differences? Let’s break this down from a connoisseur’s point of view.

Understanding THC: A Primer

Since the past couple of years, the cannabis industry has been constantly expanding and with that has been a sea of new products that have been flooding into the market. 

Let’s brush up on what THC is. According to WebMD, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol, is what gives people the “high” they know and love. In hemp or marijuana, THC reacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, particularly CB1 receptors in the brain, to create feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and sometimes heightened sensory experiences.

Hemp-Derived THC vs. Marijuana-Derived THC

Both hemp and marijuana are from the plant Cannabis sativa. But they are legally and chemically different. Hemp is a cannabis with less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana has more than 0.3% THC. So, if it says “hemp-derived THC,” then the THC was extracted from a plant that must have a standardized percentage below 0.3% of THC. Cannabis or weed THC, on the other hand, derives from strains with much higher THC levels. They typically range between having 5 percent THC and more than 30%.

Chemical Structure: It’s Basically the Same

So, chemically speaking, THC is THC, be it sourced from hemp or marijuana. On a molecular level, there is no difference between the THC derived from either source. The active compound remains Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. In theory, both can get you high if big enough quantities are taken. But hemp-derived THC is actually no “weaker” than marijuana-derived THC. At least not from a chemical perspective.

That’s a legal difference that makes all the difference. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp and all of its derivatives-hemp-derived THC, for instance the federal level in the United States, so long as the THC concentration is less than 0.3%.

Marijuana, on the other hand, remains federally illegal, though many states have passed cannabis legalization measures for medicinal and/or recreational adult-use.

You can legally buy and consume hemp-derived THC products in most states, even where marijuana is banned. This is literally opening the door for hemp-based edibles, tinctures, and vapes.

A lot of Hemp products are strong in Delta-8 THC, Delta-10 THC, THCA or one of the many other cannabinoids found in the plant. Thus, they can have a small amount of Delta-9 THC and still you get you high.

So, hemp can give you a psychoactive experience without many of the same legal restrictions as marijuana.

Why Concentration Matters

That is where things start getting interesting from the point of consumption:

Hemp plants contain a lot less THC. Thus, great volumes of plant material need to be processed before manufacturers can realize meaningful amounts of THC. This leads to more expensive and inefficient manners of extraction. Because THC in hemp products should not surpass 0.3%, most hemp-derived products usually run mild, unless the THC is being separated and then concentrated.

For example, if you smoke or vaporize the raw hemp flower, the intake of THC would be very minimal compared to consuming cannabis. The psychoactive effects would be pretty minimal. Some manufacturers, though, take that same Delta-9 THC in hemp and concentrate it. The effects will give a more noticeable high, much like with cannabis products.

THC Variations: Delta-8 and Delta-9

You might have also heard of Delta-8 THC, a cannabinoid often sourced from hemp. In contrast with Delta-9, Delta-8 produces a smoother psychoactive effect. Even though Delta-8 THC occurs in rather tiny amounts in both, it can be synthetically converted from CBD extracted from hemp, which has made it another popular legal alternative in states where marijuana is restricted.

While Delta-8 THC does provide psychoactive effects, it is weaker than Delta-9 THC due to its slightly different molecular structure. Products hewn from this cannabinoid derived from hemp may eventually pop up as a pretty decent option for those who’d like to get a legal, light high. However, the safety profile of Delta-8 THC is far from settled. After all, it’s a relative newcomer to the research scene.

What to Expect

If you’re a veteran cannabis user, then you’re going to see a sharp difference in potency between products made with hemp-derived THC and ones that make use of marijuana-derived THC. Because hemp plants are low in THC, raw hemp flower doesn’t likely provide you with the “high” that comes from your standard marijuana strain. But when THC is in small amounts, like a tincture or an edible, it might do exactly the same thing, albeit in a more moderate, less abrupt way.

People report that edibles made from hemp-derived THC tend to offer a gentle, clear-headed high, perfect for either relaxation or mild euphoria, rather than some overwhelming highs that sometimes come with particularly potent high-THC marijuana strains. In this way, it makes hemp-derived THC a great choice for any starter or person wanting to get all the benefits of THC without getting too high.

Medical Benefits of Hemp-Derived THC

Interestingly, the THC derived from hemp may well create therapeutic results, given proper combinations, especially with other cannabinoids like CBD. A number of hemp products are now made to utilize what is called the “entourage effect.” That means several cannabinoids, acting together, show greater therapeutic strengths compared to an individual amount. So, it can be helpful to treat conditions such as anxiety, pain, or insomnia associated with some cases. Especially when it was consumed in full-spectrum product combined with other cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, or CBN.

Hemp THC and standard THC are chemically identical, even though there’s a big difference legally. Thus, hemp-derived THC offers up a federally legal option for people in states that still outlaw marijuana. While it can be similar in effect when concentrated, the overall potency usually is a lot milder. Both forms of THC have their uses both recreationally and therapeutically. It’s ultimately all about personal preference, legality, and the desired/attempted effect when choosing between them.

If you’re new to cannabis or would like a legal alternative to marijuana, hemp-derived THC might just be the ticket!

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