Ever since 1937, the Marijuana plant has been banned nationwide. By extension, its active ingredient (Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol) is also banned. Many people disagree with these laws due to the inherently harmless nature of the Cannabis plant. At the very least, it seems quite harmless when compared with other drugs (including many of the legal ones). In spite of these laws, which are still in place, there is a simple way that you can legally get high on THC anywhere within the United States. This might seem ridiculous but it is, in fact, the truth.
There Is More Than One Type Of THC
Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol remains illegal in all 50 states: That has not changed. However, an interesting loophole has been found. You see, there is more than one variety of THC, and only delta-9 remains specifically illegal. Products made from delta-8 THC and delta-10 THC have become commonly available throughout the nation, as their effects are very similar to those of their illegal cousin.
Under natural circumstances, the Cannabis plant contains only tiny trace amounts of these other THC types. Since they represented such a small percentage of the Cannabis plant’s mass, no one thought to make these “minor” cannabinoids illegal. That being said, they were still technically illegal until the passage of the 2018 farm bill, merely because all parts of the Cannabis plant were banned.
The Legal Change That Made Legal THC Possible
The 2018 farm bill was meant to allow for the resurgence of the Hemp industry and for greater research into the medical uses of Cannabis. Recognizing that the psychoactive effects represented a legal and social taboo, lawmakers chose to create a legal distinction between “Hemp” and “Marijuana” even though they are technically the same plant.
Strains of Cannabis that were meant for recreational smoking have always been higher in THC. Likewise, strains that were created for Hemp production tend to have very little THC. To put it simply, you can’t get high on industrial Hemp. It just won’t happen. Attempting to do so will only result in a headache, so don’t go trying to smoke your Hemp twine. Thus, Hemp is legally defined as Cannabis that contains no more than 0.3% THC. However, the law specifies Delta-9 THC and does not specify any other cannabinoids. Because it removed the ban on the plant itself, this bill effectively legalized all cannabinoid substances except for Delta-9 THC.
Do State Laws Matter In Regards To Legal THC?
As far as we know, state laws should have no bearing on this matter. It is true that some states have legalized Cannabis, and some have even legalized them for recreational use. If you reside in one of these states, you wouldn’t really need to go with delta-8 or delta-10 products.
However, these alternate cannabinoids do provide you with the opportunity for some extra variety and experimentation. You may even find that you enjoy them more than traditional delta-9 THC. Some others have found that they enjoy blending the different cannabinoids to create very distinct effects.
If you live in a state where delta-9 THC remains completely illegal, there is no reason to worry when purchasing delta-8 or delta-10 products. Federal law supersedes state law, and these products are legal at the federal level. Technically, the federal government could overrule all of these state-level Cannabis laws, but they generally choose not to do so.
What Sort Of Legal THC Products Can I Obtain?
Although they aren’t exactly cheap, legal THC products can be found in many forms. Many people go with a simple extract or isolate, which is usually an oil or a gummy substance that can be smoked. The gummy substance we refer to is often called “dab” because it is very strong. Thus, a little “dab” is all you need to get a very noticeable effect. Delta-8 flowers are also relatively easy to find, and they might be the best-tasting option. There are also various vape products, which are definitely the most convenient option. Finally, there are all sorts of edibles for those who don’t like to smoke.
Keeping Yourself Safe
Although delta-8 and delta-10 are perfectly legal to buy, possess, and transport, you want to make sure that you keep yourself safe from a legal perspective. Legal cannabinoid products will often look and seem identical to illegal ones. Because some drug dealers will buy their wares in states where they are legal, it can sometimes be hard for law enforcement officers to tell the difference between legal and illegal Cannabis items. It is important to avoid making yourself look like a criminal.
At the same time, there are definitely some overzealous law enforcement types out there. This is not meant to disparage their profession as a whole, but cops can sometimes jump to conclusions (just like anyone else). Thus, you shouldn’t do anything provocative like smoking your Hemp flowers in front of a cop. Yes, you cannot be convicted of a crime for doing this, but they can still give you a hard time. We are basically just telling you to smoke your delta-8 and delta-10 in private, just so no one will get the wrong idea.
If you want to read a more in-depth article about this, check out Mr. Hemp Flower’s Delta 8 Drug Testing article here. They have covered everything you will need to know about it and how you can make sure that you never get in trouble with the law.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is now perfectly legal to get high on THC within the United States. As long as you aren’t smoking delta-9 THC, you can legally consume as much as you can afford. The effects of these legal cannabinoids are a little different when compared to the illegal version, but the effects are still very similar. After all, when you break it down to their chemical structures, these substances are almost identical. We hope that this knowledge will allow you to have a little fun without any worries about the law!
