Believe it or not, there are at least 144 known cannabinoids that can be isolated from the cannabis plant. One of the most known among these is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the primary psychoactive compound with the ability to get a person high. Yet, another cannabinoid with more than half of the potency of Delta-9-THC seems to be challenging its dominance of late.
 
And no, it’s neither CBN or CBG nor CBC; it is Delta-8-THC.
 
With the Farm Bill of December 2018, Delta 8 was federally legalized but it wasn’t until the next year that retailers started selling Delta 8 THC cartridges, tinctures, gummies, and more. But even then, with Delta 8 THC still illegal in many states like Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, Rhode Island, and Utah, the Delta 8 state legality remains complicated.
 
Read this post to learn why and how this federally legal cannabinoid is still illegal in many states!

Source of Delta 8 THC
​The small differences in the name might seem like little details, but it actually tells how cannabinoids are sourced, which also changes delta-8 state legality. The legislation that legalized Delta 8 states that all derivatives of hemp are legal in the United States as long as they do not contain more than 0.3% THC. By this statement, Delta 8 THC products are legal if they are sourced from hemp and the product does not have more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. 
 
Now the problem is that the process most commonly used to produce Delta-8 that is synthetically altering CBD into Delta-8-THC isn’t always legal. While many states are struggling to build the infrastructure to identify legal hemp, there are many that do not even have the ability to correctly and scientifically establish how a sample of Delta-8-THC was sourced. This is mainly why Delta 8 THC remains illegal in many states.

Federal Scheduling
Unlike its more potent brother - Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 has no federal scheduling. So this makes it possible to fail a drug test from the use of delta-8 as a result. Since these tests do not test for specific types of THC, but rather THC metabolites, which are the result of the body processing any form of THC, it is impossible to identify the type of THC present in the body. It is like finding a popsicle stick but being unable to tell what flavor the person ate.

Bottom Line
With the increasing popularity of Delta 8 THC, more and more states are flipping and embracing the green wave. While it is impossible to predict the future, with a lot of businesses diving headfirst into the Delta-8 market, Delta-8 THC is likely to be legalized across all states in the coming years.

“For every human illness, somewhere in the world there exists a plant which is the cure.”
 
And what if we tell you there is a plant that has more health benefits than you can count on your fingers?
 
Growing at a rate of 30 centimeters in just a few weeks, the hemp plant is a popular and one of the most valued plants for anyone who knows how to wield its benefits. Since it is extremely low in THC, eating hemp products cannot get you stoned. But it is still a type of Cannabis sativa plant and thus, has been regulated by the government because of its psychoactive properties.
 
The good news is that times are changing, and so is the hemp industry. Hemp is now spun into a fiber to make all different kinds of products, including paper, plastics, automobile parts, furniture and much more.
 
Read this post to get a quick hemp industry overview 2021!

Hemp as an Alternative Medicine
​One thing that can be said with absolute certainty about delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC is that they will be on the rise as alternate medicines. A great variety of health products are now made from hemp, such as massage oils, lotions, gummies, bath bombs, etc.
 
Aside from these health products, hemp is also proving to have a massive market as an alternate medicine. And with problems like illegal trafficking and overdose on prescription narcotics, it is only likely that in 2021, more doctors will be prescribing CBD as an alternate medicine for illnesses like depression, joint pain, and other common illnesses.

Legalization of Hemp
The legalization of hemp in all forms is largely expected to come to pass around the world. Lately, in the United States alone, there has been an overall trend of a legalization process for the plant. More and more governments are now taking it into consideration logically that hemp is just a plant.
 
In Novemeber 2020, the US presidential elections have been, in particular, a significant event for the cannabis industry. All cannabis legalisation ballots were passed in all five states; Mississippi, South Dakota, New Jersey, Arizona and Montana. And even interesting is that both the elected president and vice president have indicated an interest in addressing a federal cannabis reform in the country during their time in office.

Economical Growth From Hemp Production
Sales of cannabis, especially delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC, have witnessed a surge every year in the states where it is legal and that’s not it. Every year the list of states where hemp is now legal keeps getting longer.
 
From seed to sale CBD is known to be a labor-intensive market, offering jobs for people at all education and experience levels. A report predicts that during the 2020-2024 period, the industrial hemp market is expected to grow by USD 3.35 bn, progressing at a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period.
 
 
Being the 8th fastest growing industry in the U.S., both medicinal and recreational CBD sales are likely to witness a whopping surge in the new year. Needless to say, for all cannabis businesses, 2021 will be an important year to build on what they’re already doing and cross the T’s and dot the I’s for a promising future ahead.
 
Visit the Hemp Connection to find out more about premium hemp products!

Cannabis is a flower that grows naturally in the wild for several thousand years. Cannabis contains chemicals called cannabinoids that connect with the receptors throughout the body. They can elicit a wide range of physical and mental effects. THC or delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol is the most popular and common cannabinoid.

However, it isn’t the only cannabinoid. Its cousin, the Delta-8 THC tetrahydrocannabinol, has also become a favorite among people who want to experience immediate relaxation without the psychoactive effects. One difference is clear— Delta 8 THC doesn’t offer you a high, whereas Delta 9 THC does.

In the Showdown between These Two Relatives, Who’s the Winner?

Delta-9 THC is the primary drug found in cannabis plants and gets you high. It works as a potent medicine with the ability to increase appetite and reduce nausea. Although Delta-9 THC is a mild drug with few side effects, it has its downsides. It can cause anxiety and paranoia and trigger headaches and dizziness.

Times are changing, though. Most cannabis users are distancing themselves away from Delta-9 THC in favor of its cousin Delta-8 THC. Although both are effective and quick in providing you with fast relief from stress and pain, Delta-8 THC is less potent.
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Delta-8 THC— the Smoother Hemp
Delta-8 THC users will tell you that Delta-8 THC provides them with a smooth and less psychoactive and anxious experience than the Delta-9 THC. Compared to traditional THC, Delta-8 provides you with increased relief from pain.

With Delta-8 THC receiving rave reviews from users, it has quickly risen to Delta-8 THC level, if not higher. Cannabis manufacturers seeing the shift in trend have a wide range of cannabis products containing Delta-8 THC.

You can find Delta-8 THC in gummies, tinctures, soft drinks, and vape cartridges. Now, let’s delve deeper and look into their anatomy, thus bringing us to another difference between the two.

The Anatomy of Delta-8 THC and Delta-9 THC
Delta-8 THC’s double bond is located on the 8th carbon in the chain, whereas Delta-9 THC’s double bond is located on the 9th carbon in the chain hence the name. A single shift from one bond to another bond gives both their unique properties.

With Delta-8 THC, your focus, productivity, and clarity increase, and the best part are there’s zero sedation involved. Then there’s the matter of legality.

Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC:  Are They Legal?
Under the United States federal law, Delta-9 THC is illegal. How illegal? Delta-9 THC is classified as a Schedule I substance, which means that it’s in the same boat as LSD and heroin. The law, which was passed in 1970, has made it impossible and expensive to research cannabinoids, and this is one reason why information about Delta-8 THC is so scarce.

Is Delta-8 THC also Illegal?
Yes and no. When Delta-8 THC was first introduced, there wasn’t any explicit law that deemed it illegal until the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) cracked down on it. Here’s what the DEA states:

• If Delta-8 THC is sourced from Cannabis Sativa, it’s illegal.
• If Delta-8 THC is sourced from hemp, it’s legal.
• Hemp comes from the same plant, and it’s bred with non-intoxicating THC levels
• The 2018 Farm Bill legalized Delta-8 THC.
• Hemp-derived products containing 0.3% of Delta-9 THC are legal.
• Hemp-derived products contain Delta-8 THC and 0.3% Delta-9 THC.
• The Hemp Connection Only Sells 100% Legal Delta 8 Products

The Winner— Delta-8 THC
Recreational and medicinal users have taken a liking to Delta-8 THC cannabis products because it provides them with a wide range of health benefits without experiencing the impairing effects caused by Delta-9 THC.

Hemp legalization led hemp cultivation after the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. However, it was only a matter of time when it became apparent to consumers, producers, regulators, and lawmakers that new regulatory standards need to be established and put into place.

Since hemp shares a close relationship with its controversial cousin THC marijuana or cannabis, it became clear that the stance on cannabis needs to tough and its sale and use to be strictly regulated.

The growing confusion led them to hastily propose and implement the United States Department of Agriculture's provisional guidelines to direct hemp producers while leaving regulators to examine the issue to draft permanent rules for the hemp industry in the next two years.

Now, We’re in 2020 and the States Have Been Given Two Options
The USDA interim guidelines state that states operating under their own cannabis pilot program before October 31, 2019, release of these guidelines have the option to continue doing so until October 31, 2020, following the laws established in the 2014 USDA pilot program.

If states choose to cancel their hemp pilot program and adopt the USDA provisional version or if they never had a pilot program to begin with, hemp farmers will need to abide by the interim rules.

What Have States Said?
As of March 26, 2020, twenty states reported that they’ll follow the 2014 pilot rules for the upcoming growing season. This significantly outnumbers the twelve states that have received the approval from the United States Department of Agriculture for their hemp growing plan under the final temporary rule. This division becomes important when looking for compliant hemp genetics and acquiring hemp seeds.

How Will the New Hemp Sampling and Testing Regulations Affect the Hemp Industry?
The answer depends on the number of states that decide to continue with the 2020 and 2021 hemp growing seasons. Hemp farmers growing popular and completely matured hemp will go undergo comprehensive sampling and testing methods.
The latest USDA guidelines for sampling and testing hemp are as follows:  “The cut shall be made just under the flowering material, indicating the bud or flower of a plant, situated at the top one-third of plants.”

The bad news is that the top one-third of the plant receives the most light, which means that it contains high levels of THC. Hemp farmers have found themselves in a bind, as they believe the DEA will target their hemp farms, destroying them. The USDA will report the hemp farmer to the chief law enforcement officer and the Attorney General of the state in the event they determine a violation has been committed.
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What Should Hemp Farmers?
Hemp farmers need to cultivate trusted hemp genetics that is compliant with the law. Each hemp seed needs to align with their cultivation methods, season plan, and post-production structuring. Government officials can come to test the hemp seeds at any time to ensure the hemp farmers comply with the law.

Although farmers need to stay compliant at the same time, they need to pay attention to their farm operations and stay on top of the changing market demands. Hemp farmers who can maintain this balance can surpass their competitors.

Conclusion
For now, beginning October 31, 2020, all hemp farmers regardless of the state they belong to, need to abide by the USDA interim and wait for them to release the final regulations, which are expected to be released by October 31, 2021.
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This will end all possible wiggle room for hemp farmers due to their respective state and will need to create and follow a strict plan for hemp and hemp products after the implementation of the USDA temporary rules.