The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill brought an incredible array of cannabinoids, both psychoactive and non-psychoactive. Who would have thought that a small section stating that hemp-derived cannabinoids must contain 0.3% THC or less would have such a huge impact? Thanks to the marvels of modern science, we have access to numerous cannabinoids that deliver a plethora of health benefits along with a smooth and heady high. We’ve been exploring several of the more popular cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC, HHC, and THC-O. Yet there’s one cannabinoid you don’t hear too much about: Delta-9 THC. This psychoactive cannabinoid is unique for several reasons, but don’t worry. We’ll explore in great detail what this particular compound is, how it compares to marijuana, and whether or not it’s right for you. But first, it’s important you understand what cannabinoids are and where they come from. I’d like to take a moment to briefly review what cannabis is and what it has to offer.
Cannabis: What Is It?
There is much misinformation surrounding the cannabis plant. Some associate it as the same thing as marijuana, while others assume that it’s stronger or weaker. The truth is that cannabis is actually the mother plant of both marijuana and hemp. Hemp is defined as the descendent of cannabis that contains 0.3% THC or less. Marijuana is classified as the plant that contains 0.3% THC or more, and trust me, it usually packs a whole lot more THC than that! You may already be familiar with the three categories (called strains) of cannabis: sativa, indica, and hybrid. Sativa strains are ideal for day use due to their energizing and uplifting effects. Indica blends are strongly encouraged for evening use, as the effects can cause drowsiness and extreme relaxation that makes you want to go right to sleep. Hybrid strains are a blend of both indica and sativa but usually gravitate more towards one of the two.
Marijuana is undergoing a radical shift in perspective; more states are legalizing medicinal use, recreational use, or both as a holistic approach to modern medicine. Some states require you to have a marijuana card in order to buy while others states offer marijuana-infused products right out in the open. One thing that hasn’t changed is that you cannot purchase any legal marijuana products online; they must be obtained from licensed retailers in the state they are permitted.
What Are Cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids are the chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant. When cannabinoids are derived from federally legal hemp, they too are classified as federally legal in accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill. Interestingly enough, if those same cannabinoids are derived from marijuana, they are classified as illegal and may land you in hot water for even possessing them. As silly as this may sound, this is how the law works and must be adhered to at all costs.
One major difference with hemp-derived cannabinoids as opposed to straight marijuana is is that they are easily obtained online and are readily available throughout the country. This allows cannabinoid-infused products to reach a greater market. Many companies offer independent third-party lab testing to ensure purity and potency in their products so be sure to look for this when buying from a vendor for the first time.
You might see some brands that include other cannabinoids aside from the main one. For example, some gummies contain a blend of CBD and Delta-8 THC. This might seem a bit strange to you unless you’re familiar with the “entourage effect.” This belief is widespread amongst hemp users and claims that more benefits can be gleaned from multiple cannabinoids than just a single one. This claim is largely unfounded but countless users swear by it.
The Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC Cannabinoid
Now that you understand the difference between marijuana and hemp-derived cannabinoids, you can start to understand what federally compliant Delta-9 THC. The Delta-9 THC compound is one of the most potent cannabinoids found naturally in the cannabis plant. It’s also responsible for delivering the high when consuming marijuana products. If you’re trying to move away from illegal or overly powerful marijuana products, you might be interested in hemp-derived Delta-9 THC.
Hemp-derived Delta-9 THC is identical to marijuana-derived Delta-9 THC. What separates the two is the plant the compound was derived from. The main difference lies in the effects, but this is largely based on the individual. Your experience with psychoactive compounds may differ from someone taking the exact same dosage. Factors like metabolism, age, gender, previous exposure to THC, and others will be the determining factors in how quickly the effects kick in, how intense the effects may get, and how long the effects will last.
What Are The Effects of Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC?
Some users claim to feel no difference between hemp-derived Delta-9 THC versus the marijuana-derived version. If you’re accustomed to the real thing, you might have to take more of the hemp-derived cannabinoid in order to experience the same effects. To put this in perspective, states that have legalized hemp distribution and consumption mandate that all edibles must contain no more than 10mg of THC per serving and no more than 100mg of THC per container. Let’s say that your normal dosage of edibles contains a whopping 50mg of Delta-9 THC. In order to gain the same effects, you’d have to consume five Farm Bill compliant Delta-9 THC gummies that contain 10mg THC each. The most important thing to remember when consuming any psychoactive cannabinoid is to start off with small amounts. You can always increase the dosage the next time around, but taking too much Delta-9 THC in a single sitting can have some uncomfortable effects. You may feel extremely drowsy or experience increased bouts of uneasiness. Some users claim that their mind kicks into overdrive and prevents them from falling asleep. All the more reason to start off with a small amount and gradually work your way up until you find your ideal dosage.
Some of the more pleasurable effects of Delta-9 THC include bouts of relaxation, increased focus and creativity, heightened sense of touch and taste, drowsiness, increased appetite (munchies!), stronger sense of humor, and more. You may experience a tingling sensation in your arms, face, feet, chest, face, and legs. This tingling is what’s known as a body high and can be deliciously pleasurable as your sense of touch increases. I mentioned munchies as a side effect of the increased appetite, but dry mouth is also a common side effect. You may feel thirstier and feel compelled to drink more water, so don’t be surprised if cool and refreshing water splashing on your parched palate feels absolutely incredible. Lastly, you may notice that your eyes get redder. Red or bloodshot eyes are one of the tell-tale signs of a marijuana high so it’s not surprising that hemp-derived Delta-9 THC might have the same effects. There are other effects you may experience that aren’t listed here, but that’s what makes psychoactive cannabinoids so unique!
Should I Use Compliant Delta-9 THC?
Before you embark on any psychoactive cannabinoid adventure, be sure to consult with your primary care physician first. Some doctors are more familiar with the cannabis plant and can offer some words of wisdom as you journey down the psychoactive cannabinoid rabbit hole. Many doctors already prescribe medicinal marijuana so they may already be familiar with the effects and can offer helpful advice to first time users. Others may be staunchly against it but it’s important that you familiarize yourself as much as possible before consuming an edible or inhalable for the first time.
You should also ask yourself why you're considering consuming a psychoactive cannabinoid. Just because “all my friends are doing it” doesn’t mean that you should too. Psychoactive cannabinoids can offer real relief from those suffering with debilitating mental issues or who sincerely wish for a way to relax after a long stressful day. If you enjoy regular marijuana but want to start using the federally legal versions, you might be surprised with how much you enjoy it! Lastly, some previous marijuana users have been scarred by the powerful effects that come from taking the wrong strain or consuming too much in a single sitting. If you fall into this category, you may prefer the smoother and less intense effects from a small amount of Delta-9 THC.
Conclusion
Whew, you made it through! Hopefully you’ve learned a lot about what Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC is and how it differs from traditional weed. While both varieties come from the cannabis plant, one has significantly higher concentrations of THC. You may need to consume more of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC to experience the same effects, but make sure to always start off slowly with your dosages. If you’ve been scarred by the full effects of marijuana, you may find comfort in the smooth (and legal) hemp-derived version. If you’re curious about Farm Bill Compliant Delta-9 THC and would like to learn more, feel free to reach out to us here at Native Extracts and we’d be glad to help share our vast knowledge about this and many other cannabinoids. For those of you ready to take the plunge and try our hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products, check out our Delta-9 THC gummies, available in watermelon, strawberry, and green apple. In our next article, we’ll be talking about a topic many users are concerned about: drug tests. While hemp-derived cannabinoids are legal on a federal level, should you be worried when consuming them if your employer enforces random drug tests? Find out the answer to this question and much more in our upcoming article. We hope to see you there!