Hemp-Derived Cannabis Basics

May 5, 2021

Hemp-Derived Cannabis Basics

There is a lot of information on the internet about CBD, Delta 8 THC gummies, and other cannabis products. This all due to the fairly recent legalization of cannabis products on both a federal and state level, which has caused a tsunami of interest in, and sales of cannabis products. Everywhere, you will find terms like “hemp-derived, cannabis, hemp, marijuana, THC, full-spectrum,” and you wonder not only how they are different, you’re not sure if they are even legal. While you find yourself interested in the possibilities, you may seem a little intimidated that you don’t seem to have a base of knowledge to move forward or ask an intelligent question.

We at PharmaCBD believe in being transparent and providing all of the information our loyal customers (and future customers) need to make the right choices for their wellness products. With that in mind, here are some hemp-derived cannabis basics to provide you with a solid foundation to build your knowledge on.

What’s the Difference between Cannabis, Hemp, and Marijuana?

Cannabis is a plant species that has been around for so long that evidence of its use has been found dating back as far back as 10,000 years ago. It has been used to make rope, sails, parchment, and thousands of other products that have been around as long as recorded time. Now, the cannabis plant has many strains that have been developed over the years. Some developed naturally on their own, while others have had a little help from mankind. You will find the common names for these strains are fun and descriptive labels like Sour Diesel and Bubba Kush. These are all strains of the cannabis plant with their own unique smell, color, and taste.

Within these cannabis plant strains, you also have two varieties or families of cannabis: marijuana and hemp. While these two varieties are almost identical, the main difference between the two is their Delta 9 THC content. Marijuana has high levels of Delta 9 THC, while hemp has low levels. Therefore, to be classified as hemp and, therefore, federally legal, cannabis plants can only have up to 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight. Anything higher than that is considered marijuana and is federally illegal.

What Is the Significance of Hemp-Derived?

Cannabis products have only become federally legal over the past few years. This is all due to the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (also known as The Farm Bill). This bill made cannabis products legal on a federal level, but only if that product is derived from hemp and not marijuana. To further clarify the law, the cannabis product may not contain more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. This line in the sand made a clear distinction between which cannabis products were considered derived from marijuana and derived from hemp. So when you see products that are labeled as “hemp-derived,” that means they are created from hemp and not marijuana and are, therefore, legal on a federal level.

Which Cannabis Products Are Legal?

This is an important question. Unfortunately, the answer is a resounding, “it depends.”

Hemp-derived products that contain no more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC are legal on a federal level, according to The Farm Bill of 2018. This bill is the overarching guideline for the legality of cannabis products. According to the specific wording of this bill, Delta 9 THC is the only restricted cannabinoid found in the cannabis plant. This means that CBD, Delta 8 THC, and other products derived from hemp are completely legal on a federal level.

However, some states have strict regulations on CBD products. In addition, 11 states have made Delta 8 THC products illegal within their borders, and the DEA has taken steps to classify Delta 8 THC as a Schedule 1 drug in order to make it illegal.

That being said, while products with over 0.3% Delta 9 THC (i.e., marijuana) remain illegal on a federal level, many states have passed laws to allow its use for either medical or recreational purposes. Only six states currently have laws making Delta 9 THC illegal for any purpose.

Interestingly, while some states like Colorado have made marijuana completely legal at the state level, it remains illegal on a federal level. However, while Colorado has legalized marijuana, Delta 8 THC remains banned in that state. This is the exact opposite in other states where marijuana (Delta 9 THC) is illegal, but Delta 8 THC is legal.

The federal government has assumed that each state should handle the prosecution and enforcement of cannabis product laws within their own state. So the best thing to do is check for the latest legal information for the cannabis laws within your state. You should be aware, however, that these laws are constantly changing.

What Does “Derived” Really Mean?

We have covered that when a product is “hemp-derived,” it means that the product’s basis is in the hemp plant and, therefore, federally legal. But let’s go a little further to understand the hemp process before becoming a final product.

The hemp is harvested once it matures and is sent to a processing facility. At this facility, the hemp plant goes through the extraction process. This process is where the hemp oils are separated from the rest of the plant. This raw hemp oil contains several cannabinoids like CBD, CBG, THC, and other beneficial elements found in the hemp plant, like terpenes and flavonoids. This full-bodied hemp oil is used to make many products that will be labeled as full-spectrum.

Some products stop at this point — they're packaged and sold as full-spectrum. However, the processors may take additional steps to remove all of the THC from the compound. These will be packaged and labeled broad-spectrum or THC-free. Further processing may occur to strip away all other elements from the core cannabinoid, like CBD, to make what is known as an isolate. However, all of these products made from these oils extracted from the hemp plant are derived from the plant.

Get Your Hemp-Derived Products from PharmaCBD!

Whether you’re looking for hemp-derived CBD and Delta 8 THC topicals, hemp flower, ediblestinctures, or even pet products, you can count on PharmaCBD to always carry the best available. Feel free to peruse our extensive inventory and make your purchase today!