Legal THC edibles vs. Weed Edibles: What is the difference?

It’s no secret that the edibles market is booming, especially as more states make medical and/or recreational products legal. But with so many different products now available, and people are searching for such a tailored cannabis experience – what should you look for? And what makes one edible gummy product legal in a state in which most other types of THC products are still banned?

We know that hemp and marijuana are both varieties of cannabis. And both these varieties contain cannabinoids – such as CBD, THC, and minor cannabinoids. And we can make cannabis edibles from both as well – typically with varying amounts of THC or CBD. No matter if it’s weed or hemp, these cannabis edibles could contain Delta 9 THC – and at legal limits. Lets take a look.

What are Legal THC gummies?

Legal THC gummies are a type of cannabis edibles where the THC or cannabis extracts within the gummies come from federally legal hemp plants and contain less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC within the gummy. These are full-spectrum gummies, and can sometimes mean that they could contain up to 10 mg of THC infused into each gummy.

Legal THC gummies are quite new to the market and can be a little confusing when understanding the legal aspect of the hemp industry and cannabis edibles. So let’s take a deeper look at Legal THC edibles vs. weed edibles.

What Do We Mean by “Legal” THC Edibles?

In 2018, the Farm Act removed all hemp products from the controlled substances list compiled by the Food and Drug Administration. Formerly, it had been grouped as a controlled substance along with the common cannabis plant as well as other drugs. That prior designation made not only “weed” products from hemp plants illegal, but even goods like textiles and cordage.

While hemp is a cannabis plant, it is a different variety than the one we know of as the “marijuana” plant. They are virtually identical except for their differing levels of the compound delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC.

Delta 9 THC is just one of the dozens of compounds in various cannabis species. You may know of others like CBD, the non-high-enducing compound which is associated with many benefits like pain relief and nerve-soothing and even getting a good night’s sleep. Delta 9 THC, on the other hand, is what can make you “high” in higher amounts.

Given hemp’s inability to cause that specific “weed high,” people had long been advocating for hemp to be de-classified as a controlled substance. Hemp began to be vilified in the 1930s, as certain political elements spread fears about marijuana products. That unfortunate position meant that farmers could not grow hemp on U.S. soil until the 2018 farm act, forcing manufacturers to import it from other countries to make products like paper and clothing.

The 2018 Farm Bill

The farm bill was celebrated not just because it enabled American farmers to grow the profitable crop, but because so many useful things can be made from hemp. As a renewable resource, hemp is an earth-friendly plant that can be turned into rope, clothing, fuel, food and other goods. That list includes paper – in fact, even the Declaration of Independence was printed on hemp paper. It’s estimated that more than 25,000 kinds of products can be made from hemp!

So is hemp legal because hemp plants contain no amount of THC?

Not exactly. The main difference is the level of THC found in the various cannabis plants. Hemp has the lowest THC levels of the varieties commonly grown. Hemp plants generally have a Delta 9 THC level of 0.3 percent or less, when measured in dry weight. This is the level that the FDA deems to be a legal level.

That means that cannabis edibles derived from hemp extracts could actually have potent levels of THC causing psychoactive effects! These are what we call legal THC gummies!

What are edible Weed Gummies?

Weed gummies are any gummy cannabis product that comes from marijuana and contain THC, the main psychoactive compound. Weed edibles are edible cannabis products that are THC infused and sold in the recreational or medical cannabis industry. These gummies are typically quite potent and are able to be bought in marijuana dispensaries alongside other cannabis products like weed, edible brownies, smoking products, canna oil, hard candies, dabs, and other marijuana edibles.

Weed Edibles: Pros and Cons

Weed edibles can are typically found in storefront dispensaries in a state in which recreational or medical cannabis is legal. (Others, of course, often resort to a dealer in states in which it’s not legal). High-THC cannabis can be in several types of food products, from candies and chocolate bars to cookies, drinks, and hot sauce. Whatever your options are, however, this kind of weed edible can be tricky.

Most importantly, weed edibles are usually made from any type of high-THC cannabis plant, and typically have an intense effect. The sub-class of common Sativa is popular with recreational weed users, while the idica class is used for medical or sleep-aiding purposes. Both types tend to have a higher THC rate than those used in hemp-derived products. (The easiest way to understand the difference is that you could smoke a regular cannabis plant and achieve a “high,” but that would be nearly impossible with hemp plants)

Pros of weed edibles

If you live in a state where recreational or medical cannabis edibles are legal, you have the opportunity to find weed edibles tailored to the cannabis experience you are looking for. From finding the preferred dose to finding weed edibles for sleep, pain relief, or relaxation. Weed edibles have their benefits.

Cons of weed edibles

If you are purchasing edibles from non-legal dispensaries (maybe your local dealer) the biggest question mark, especially when it comes to many cannabis edibles is the lack of information about the THC count. It might have as little as 2.5 mg – a good amount for beginners or those interested in a microdosing – or as much as 100 mg, which is considered too powerful except for those with exceptionally high tolerances, or a debilitating condition.

Too many people buy edibles that don’t have labels about the amount of THC in each dose, or which contain inaccurate information. Why can it be so hard to find out how powerful or mild various weed edibles are? For one thing, unless the product is made in a controlled environment, it’s difficult to standardize the amount of THC going into each product. From the strain of cannabis used, to the measuring and testing equipment, it’s hard for casual or uninterested weed ediblesmanufacturers and distributors to know exactly how strong each type is.

In addition, most weed edibles are generally not created to create a complex, full-spectrum therapeutic reaction, but rather to create a specific type of high. So the THC may be isolated and extracted from the cannabis plants, while other important compounds are removed.

And for many, that recreational high may be all that is desired from edible weed gummies. But these days, as more people discover the other therapeutic compounds available in cannabis plants, including hemp plants, yesterday’s weed ediblesmight not cut it for them.

The Benefits of Legal THC Edibles

Again, while weed may be legal in your state, in general by “legal THC edibles” we mean the type that is derived from hemp, which produces a lower THC count. That means that, while you might still derive therapeutic benefits from the THC that is in the edible, the THC level won’t be enough for a debilitating high.

But that doesn’t mean that legal THC edibles aren’t potent in their own way. It just means that the other beneficial compounds are also present in the edibles, working together to create beneficial reactions. That, of course, includes the compound cannabidiol, better known as CBD.

Edibles and other products made with CBD as the primary active ingredient typically derived from the hemp plant, which makes them legal to be sold anywhere.

CBD oil is an important component in both “mostly CBD” gummy edibles and other products, along with legal THC edibles. CBD oil has been linked to pain relief, muscle relaxation, blood pressure regulation, and getting a good night’s sleep.

For those seeking these or other therapeutic benefits, the most effective edible weed gummies combine the effects of CBD, legal amounts of THC, and other active compounds, mostly cannabinoids, and terpenes, of the cannabis plants. Together, these hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes not only contribute their own specific benefits, but also work together to enhance one another. This is known as the “entourage effect.”

Legal THC edibles are Full Spectrum Cannabis Products

When hemp or other cannabis plants are harvested at just the right time – when the plants are in full flower – and the right extraction method is used, the resulting oil is a full spectrum product, containing an ideal amount of THC, CBD, and hundreds of other beneficial compounds.

Why is it important to have a full-spectrum oil, rather than one that just contains THC, CBD, or a combination of the two? It’s believed that many of these many cannabinoids and terpenes attach to different, specific brain receptors and cannabinoid receptors.

Each person responds to different blends in his or her own way, but in general, a product made from full-spectrum oil will have the greatest therapeutic benefit because it “hits all the right spots,” so to speak.

Obviously, there are weed edibles out there that combine high THC levels with CBD and other compounds. But for people seeking a regular, even daily, product that will provide physical and emotional relief, getting high or sleepy every day isn’t ideal – and, in many cases, will be illegal to buy or use.

That’s where hemp-derived, legal THC edibles come in. They don’t cause the traditional “high,” but they are mood-enhancing, therapeutic solutions for a host of issues.

Do all cannabis edibles or cannabis products have THC in them?

The short answer is no. When it comes to cannabis consumption not all edibles contain THC. In fact most hemp products either contain no THC at all or such small traces of THC that you won’t feel any psychoactive effects at all.

Make sure to check the packaging. Packaging should always specify gummy dosages and what ingredients are contained. If the packaging is vague or conspicuous, you may want to do further research or choose a different brand.

Choosing the best Legal THC Edibles

With more people looking for products that combine the benefits of CBD, THC, and other cannabinoids, it can be difficult to know what’s right for you, even if you’ve narrowed your preference down to classification like cannabis edibles.

Most hemp products that contains high amounts of CBD will only have trace amounts of therapeutic THC. That’s in part because, until recently, it was difficult to create legal THC edibles that had both substantial CBD plus an amount of THC that gave you the full benefits of both compounds.

When you are choosing the best Delta 9 edibles you may want to narrow down your search with these questions:

• How much THC do I want in each dose?
• What feeling am I looking to achieve when taking Delta 9?
• What time of day and how often do I want to take Delta 9 edibles?

Where to shop for Legal THC Edibles

While regular consumers typically shop at dispensaries you can actually buy THC gummies online!

VIIA Hemp Co Cloud 9 gummies

VIIA’s Delta 9 series begins with the signature Cloud 9 gummies.

These gummies are not only full-spectrum – due to the retention of all of the healthy compounds found in cannabis hemp but also have the highest legally allowed amounts of THC, which has been engineered to be elevated as possible. Specifically, they contain 5 mg of Delta 9 THC, along with 50 mg of high-spectrum oil.

THC Delta 9, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the THC compound that causes the psychoactive reaction that we refer to as “high” when used in large enough doses. At 5 mg or lower, however, the effect can be mild or strong depending on a person’s tolerance level.

The resulting blend creates gummy edibles that deliver what CBD-only products, or most weed edibles, can’t provide by themselves. The Delta 9 gummies are helpful for people who need a stronger level of pain relief or emotional benefit than most edible cannabinoids can’t deliver. They’re also ideal for people who work out and need a boost with their rest and recovery methods.

People who’ve used the VIIA’s “Cloud 9” Delta 9 gummies report that they definitely provide more of an elevated feeling, or “buzz,” than a CBD product alone might deliver. At the same time, there isn’t the brain fog or paranoia that some people feel with traditional weed gummies.

Researchers have discovered that the entourage effect of the new generation of THC edibles works so well because, after certain of the included cannabinoids attach themselves to the brain receptors that influence pain and mood, they then interact with one another to heighten one another’s therapeutic effects.

Cloud 9 gummies come in various fruit flavors and new flavors or limited edition infused THC gummies are released often. If you like to eat edibles and are looking for a 5 mg dosage of THC, these gummies are for you.

VIIA’s Lowdose Microdosing edibles

Of course, because tolerance to THC can vary from person to person, you might find it useful to start with the “Lowdose Delta 9 Microdosing Gummies,” which contain 2 mg of THC, rather than the 5 mg used in the “Cloud 9” series.

For people who are new to using cannabis products, or who know that they are unusually affected by them, “Lowdose” is an ideal way to get the benefits of full-spectrum, legal THC edibles, without the worries of getting “too high”.

These Lowdose gummies also contain a full spectrum of Cannabinoids and taste great.

What Other Options Exist?

Another popular solution in the legal THC edibles market, and one which VIIA provides, are legal THC edibles made from the Delta 8 THC variant. Delta 8, or Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol, is another compound found in various cannabis plants. It has similar benefits to Delta 9, but some people may find that they feel the euphoric effects in a way that’s a bit less intense than Delta 9. In fact, some states allow Delta 8 THC edibles, but not Delta 9 types. (As you’ve no doubt learned, state mandates can be somewhat idiosyncratic on the issue.)

CBD edibles

In addition, you may want to try products that are limited to CBD. Some people don’t find the entourage effect of the blended THC edibles as necessary or even desirable, whether because of concerns about legality or drug tests, or simply a lack of tolerance to THC.

Summary

As always its up to the consume to do all research on products and cannabis edibles before eating products. You may want to find out from your doctor if cannabis edibles interfere with other medications or drugs

If you’re interested in CBD-only or legal THC gummies, whether they’re based on Delta 8 or Delta 9 cannabis, VIIA is here to help. All products are rigorously lab-tested, and made from pure, organically-grown hemp extracts, and organic ingredients. The extraction process ensures that all of the vital cannabinoids and terpenes are preserved in the final THC edibles, vapes, CBD gummies, and other products. Check out the third-party lab testing results provided on our website.