Does Hemp Contain THC?

Hemp legally must contain only trace amounts of THC. But hemp-derived THC products are being sold across the country. 

Confused? We explain how much THC is in hemp and how manufacturers make your favorite THC products. 

Key Takeaways

• Under federal law, hemp must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
• However, hemp can legally contain THCa, which can be converted to THC with heat.
• Hemp can also contain other cannabinoids like CBD, which can be converted to THC.
• THC products that are made from hemp, such as by converting hemp-derived CBD, are also considered legal under federal law.

See More: What’s the Difference Between Delta 9 and THC?

Hemp and THC

Meredith Farrow, founder of Clean Remedies, says:

"Hemp by definition must contain less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. However, THC products can be created from hemp, such as by converting hemp-derived CBD into THC."

If you've noticed an explosion in hemp-derived products over the last few years, you're not imagining things. The hemp market has grown rapidly, increasing in value by hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars every single year. 

Many of the new products driving this growth are hemp-derived THC products. Which leads to an obvious question: Does hemp contain THC?

The short answer is that it doesn’t to any significant degree. But if hemp doesn't contain much THC, how do manufacturers use it to create potent THC products? 

FDA Regulation of Hemp Production

The answer starts with the law. Hemp plants and cannabis plants are both examples of Cannabis sativa.

For thousands of years, Cannabis sativa plants were used by communities around the world for all manner of things. The plants' fibers were used in ropes, hemp seeds were used for hempseed oil, and the sticky buds were used for smoking. 

These buds, or flowers, contained THC, the primary psychoactive component responsible for marijuana's iconic high. The plant also naturally contains hundreds of other cannabinoids and compounds like terpenes and flavonoids, too. 

For the last several decades, however, major countries like the US have outlawed these plants. But hemp plants are different.

2018 Farm Bill

In 2018, Congress passed a law legalizing hemp. To do that, they had to distinguish hemp from cannabis, which was to remain federally illegal. 

Lawmakers decided on a simple distinction. Hemp plants were defined as those containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Cannabis plants were those containing more than 0.3% THC. 

Both hemp and cannabis plants contain the same profusion of other compounds, including cannabinoids like CBD. The concentrations of these compounds vary depending on the strain of plant. 

Federal law allows hemp growers to cultivate hemp legally. And it allows manufacturers to create all kinds of different products from that hemp.

Bonus: What Exactly Does Hemp-Derived Mean?

THC in Hemp Products

For many farmers, hemp cultivation became focused on producing plants with higher concentrations of desirable cannabinoids. 

CBD, for example, is one compound found naturally in hemp. Growers bred plants to improve CBD concentration, and these plants were used to create all kinds of CBD products.

Unlike these cannabinoids, THC levels in hemp plants are strictly regulated. No more than 0.3% total THC by dry weight is permitted. So growers couldn't do the same thing for THC.

However, CBD is chemically very similar to THC. In fact, they share the exact same molecular formula. The only difference is the arrangement of atoms within each molecule.

That similarity makes it quite simple to convert CBD into THC. And if that CBD was derived from hemp, the resulting THC is also considered to have been derived from hemp.

CBD can be converted into different kinds of THC. One is called Delta-9 THC. That's the classic version of THC that people usually mean when they refer to THC.

Another kind is Delta-8 THC. It's very similar to Delta-9 THC, but is generally considered to have slightly milder effects. Because of this, some people call it "diet weed."

Both of these types of THC are naturally produced by cannabis plants. In other words, the THC created from hemp-derived CBD is chemically identical to the THC in cannabis-derived products. But the former is legal under federal law, while the latter remains illegal. 

What About THCa?

THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a non-psychoactive precursor to THC. It does not have psychoactive effects. But when heated, it undergoes a chemical reaction called decarboxylation that converts it into THC.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, THCa is not included in the THC limit. And THCa is naturally found in hemp. 

That means manufacturers can sell THCa flower. If you ate it, you'd experience no psychoactive effects. But when heated — during smoking, for example — the THCa converts into psychoactive THC. 

Where to Buy Hemp-Derived THC Products

As we mentioned, there's no shortage of legal, hemp-derived THC products. 

When choosing hemp-derived THC products, quality is important. Unfortunately, studies have shown that low-quality hemp products can contain contaminants, including heavy metals and other toxins.

"Hemp is a bio-accumulator," explains Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "It sucks up all the heavy metals, toxins, pesticides — any of the yucky stuff that's in the soil. Then you'd be ingesting that."

One reliable way to ensure a hemp-derived product is high-quality is checking whether the manufacturer submitted it for testing. All Clean Remedies products are tested by an independent, third-party lab. You can check the results of this test by scanning the QR code provided on your product.

Clean Remedies also ships to all 50 states, so you can order from the comfort of your home. (Local laws surrounding hemp-derived products may vary.)

But what might you choose? 

Gummies made with Delta 9 THC are an increasingly popular way to consume hemp-derived THC. We offer natural grape-flavored gummies, each with 5mg of Delta-9 THC and 25mg of CBD. For something stronger, consider our natural watermelon-flavored gummies, which each contain 10mg of Delta-9 THC.

If you prefer the milder effects of Delta-8 THC, consider our natural strawberry-flavored gummies, which each contain 10mg of Delta-8 THC. Our stronger, natural green apple-flavored gummies each contain 20mg of Delta-8 THC for uplifting euphoria and a soothing body calm.

"If you have a lot of anxiety or stress, or need help sleeping, you'd do great taking one of our strawberry gummies," says Clean Remedies founder Meredith Farrow. "These are very uplifting. They're euphoric, with a calming body sensation. I like to use them to help me unwind in the evening."

A similar sweet option is THC-infused chocolate. Our Delta-8 THC Chocolate Dream blends Delta-8 THC, Valerian Root, and CBN for a soothing, sleep-supporting nightly ritual. For something more suited to the daytime, consider our Delta-9 THC Chocolate Delight, which blends Delta-9 THC and CBD with creamy milk chocolate for a rich, mood-boosting experience.

We also mentioned that THCa flower is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. We offer three strains of THCa flower for online purchase: Sativa, for a more euphoric head high, Indica, for a more relaxing body high, and Hybrid, for a blend of the two.

Conclusion

Hemp, by federal law, must contain less than 0.3% THC. However, hemp plants can be used to create THC products. For example, hemp is often rich in CBD, which can be converted into THC.

That's why hemp-derived THC products exist, despite hemp not containing much THC at all. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Hemp Fail a Drug Test?

Any hemp-derived product with THC, even in trace amounts, can potentially cause a positive drug test result. Hemp products with no THC, such as broad-spectrum hemp extract, shouldn't cause you to fail a drug test.

Which is Stronger, Hemp or THC?

Comparing hemp with THC doesn't really work. Hemp is a plant, while THC is a chemical. It would be like asking whether caffeine is as strong as coffee. 

That said, hemp by law contains very little THC. So in terms of psychoactive effects, THC could generally be considered "stronger" than hemp.

Will Hemp THC Get Me High?

Yes. Hemp-derived THC is chemically identical to the THC naturally produced in cannabis plants. It has all the same psychoactive effects and will get you high. 

Keep Reading: Is Delta 9 Sativa or Indica? Here's Full Real Answer

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Clean Remedies is a woman-owned, independent family business that uses clean and natural hemp extract to create products that are free from harmful chemicals, cruelty-free, and made in the USA, meant to benefit your well-being and meet our own high standards of efficacy. For CBD facts, product discounts, and more, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.