Over the last few years, the hemp industry has experienced rapid growth which can be attributed to the introduction of new hemp-derived cannabinoids into the market.
Now you must be thinking…how is Delta-9 THC – the cannabinoid that is available in dispensaries and that consumers are most familiar with – legal?! Let us explain below!
Our products contain Hemp Derived Delta-9 THC which means that the THC is entirely produced from the Hemp plant, NOT marijuana. The 2018 Farm Bill clarifies that Hemp is federally legal as long as it contains no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. Delta-9 THC, also known as ∆9, D9, and most commonly THC, is the main psychoactive cannabinoid that is responsible for the classic “high” that most users are familiar with.
Over the last 25 years, most consumers have only been able to get Delta-9 THC (derived from the marijuana plant) in medical and/or recreational cannabis states. As of 2022, with advancements in extraction technology and further research into the hemp plant, we have been able to bring a “Dispensary Quality” Delta-9 THC experience (derived from the hemp plant) to consumers across all 50 states.
What is the difference between Marijuana and Hemp?
Both Marijuana and Hemp are species of Cannabis Sativa plants. Marijuana is federally illegal, but Hemp became federally legal when the Farm Bill passed in 2018. The law differentiates Marijuana and Hemp by the total Delta-9 THC content of a product. Marijuana is defined by containing more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC and Hemp is defined by containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. This bill decriminalized hemp-derived products that contained less than 0.3% THC. Marijuana remains federally illegal because of its high THC content.
Now that you understand the difference between Marijuana and Hemp, let’s dive even deeper into how our gummies can be shipped legally to all 50 states.
How exactly are Melee Dose gummies legal?
According to Section 10013 of the 2018 Farm Bill, “hemp” is defined as “the plant 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% on a dry weight basis.”
What is most important to understand from the above excerpt is the term “dry weight basis”. All Melee Dose gummies contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight basis. Each individual gummy is infused with 5mg of THC derived from the hemp plant and has a total weight of 5 grams (5,000 mg). That means that 0.3% of Delta-9 THC comes out to 15mg (0.3% x 5,000mg), which is the legal limit we can include. However, we go way below the legal limit and include only 5mg of THC in our gummies. In order for our gummies to be compliant with current hemp laws, they need to have <0.3% of Delta-9 THC.
The difference between some of the most popular cannabinoids:
Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds that are found in hemp. The three most popular cannabinoids at the moment are Cannabidiol (CBD), Delta-9 THC and Delta-8 THC. Here is a breakdown of all three cannabinoids:
CBD: Cannabidiol is the major non-psychoactive ingredient of cannabis. CBD is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as the THC content is less than 0.3%. Health benefits may include reducing inflammation, pain, anxiety and sleep disorder.
Delta-9 THC: Delta- 9 THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, meaning it’s the cannabinoid that’s responsible for marijuana’s famous “high.” THC may help with producing feelings of euphoria, enhancing creative experiences, increasing appetite, and altering time perception.
Delta-8 THC: Delta-8 THC is considered to be the “nicer, younger sibling” to Delta-9 THC. Delta-8 is slightly psychoactive and produces milder effects compared to Delta-9.
Dosage
The recommended dosage for beginners is half or a full gummy. Experienced users are able to take a full gummy or more. All of our gummies are plant based, gluten free, and are infused with terpenes and come in 3 delicious flavors: Watermelon, Grape, and Blue Raspberry.
Takeaway
If you do not live in a medical or recreational marijuana state, then Melee Dose hemp derived Delta-9 THC is perfect for you! Even though our Delta-9 products are derived from hemp, they give the same effects as edibles that you would find in a legal dispensary. The only difference is that our products are fully legal in all 50 states because they contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC.
