“This multi-agency campaign conducted operations in 29 counties, arresting 140 individuals and seizing 174 weapons.” -NORML
There was a time when Hemp was “pot”.
At least in the eyes of the law. Agricultural Hemp’s CAMP “cramp” is the true reason for governments' history of animosity with Hemp. C.A.M.P is a coordinated, government approach to destroy Marijuana plants. Technically known as a campaign against Marijuana Planting. In 2020 the DEA seized 3,740,368 Cannabis plants. Most of the Cannabis is seized because it was sighted during aerial CAMP patrol.
Take for example rapper Cypress Hill Lyrics:
“And if you're afraid of those pesky pork choppers in the skyNo worries, we'll fix them too with one of our Dr. Greenthumb '
Sizzlean' screens to block the nosy pig's vision”
Industrial Hemp and Cannabis grown for Delta 9 consumption are different. To the layman, they look the same. CAMP’S ‘cramp”, so to speak, was accurate identification of the plant used for the schedule one drug named “Marijuana”. The DEA opined that they couldn’t eradicate Marijuana effectively if Hemp was legalized.
Industrial Hemp is Legalized
In 2018 the agriculture Improvement Act authorized HEMP production at the federal level. This law is known colloquially as the “farm bill”. Needless to say, a law that allowed Hemp to be grown outdoors would make CAMP’s Cannabis identification significantly more frustrating. Industrial Hemp is identified by a Certificate of Authenticity validating that the plant contains no more than .30% Delta 9 THC. CAMP enforcers aren’t flying around with microscopes and test kits, so law enforcement needed a new approach.
Delta 9 THC is found in the HEMP
Delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol is present in HEMP grown for agriculture. Delta 9 THC is much, much less abundant in agricultural Hemp. Historically, Hemp wasn’t even grown for trichomes (the little medicine-filled glands on Cannabis). Hemp was sold as rope, feed, or paper. The spring-loaded industry became consumed with the versatility of the plant. The fact that THC still existed in “legal” industrial Hemp plants created an opportunity. Since Delta 9 THC is illegal when extracted from illegal Cannabis plants. Delta 9 THC could be extracted from Legally grown Hemp plants!
Similarities & Differences
Delta 9 THC that is extracted from industrial Hemp plants “feels” exactly the same to the user as illegal Delta 9. The difference between Legal, over the counter Delta 9, and illegal Delta 9 is mostly Semantics. The truth is that production of Cannabis has morphed into a space where some of the Cannabis on the market “used as” Marijuana isn’t technically Marijuana in the eyes of the law. Even potent Dispensary flower can fetch “over the counter” legality when the Delta 9 Content remains THCA. Semantics allow products "used as” Marijuana to be Federally categorized as industrial Hemp. Whoa… Yeah you read that right.
Semantics is defined as the meaning of words and language. The language used to legalize industrial Hemp has a “technical” bearing on the legality of Delta 9 THC found in an edible product.
The law states: the term “hemp” means the plant species Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
Since Hemp’s legal designation for THC is less than .30% that means an edible with less than .30% THC would be categorized as industrial Hemp. Legal THC can only be found in a very specific amount that honors the language of current Federal Law.
Duty Calls
The thing about uncle Sam is this: The government makes every effort to close loopholes and avoid technicalities. Do your duty! You can END UP IN a whole lot of dookie! The laws surrounding Cannabis, Marijuana, Marihuana, and Hemp are in an ongoing state of flux. To keep yourself and your Ganja out of jail it's important to have some sense of the Cannabis laws in your area.