What Are Delta-9 THC Gummies? - Hempfield Botanicals

Buzz is abundant on social media about delta-9 (∆9) THC gummies. You’ll see no shortage of online brands advertising them, and you may wonder, “How can that be? Isn’t THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive component in marijuana, still illegal in many states?”

I understand the confusion. The legality of cannabis products depends on laws at the federal, state, and sometimes even local levels of government. Adding to the shades of gray is whether cannabinoids (like THC and CBD) are extracted from hemp or marijuana.

So, the question remains, are delta-9 THC gummies legal? At the federal level, the 2018 United States Farm Act removed industrial hemp from the schedule of controlled substances. That made hemp-derived products (including edibles, like gummies) with no greater than 0.3% delta-9 THC concentration (based on dry weight) legal in the U.S.

Most states have their own laws regarding hemp-derived products. Many (like my home state, Pennsylvania) generally follow federal law, while others are more strict or lenient. In PA, people at least 21 years old can purchase hemp-derived delta-9 THC products, provided the products’ delta-9 THC concentrations do not exceed 0.3%. In states without their own hemp-derived product laws, the federal law applies.

What Is Delta-9 THC?

Cannabis (which includes marijuana and hemp plants) has over 100 naturally occurring cannabinoids (compounds that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system). While among the most abundant cannabinoids found in marijuana plants, delta-9 (∆9) THC is the least abundant cannabinoid in hemp. When you hear the term “THC,” delta-9 THC is typically what people mean. Delta-9 THC is the compound responsible for the “high” experienced when using cannabis. In Pennsylvania, medical use of marijuana and hemp products with more than 0.3% THC is legal for persons certified by a physician and approved for a PA Medical Marijuana Card. Currently, the recreational use of products made from marijuana (regardless of THC concentration) and products made from hemp that have more than 0.3% THC remain illegal in PA.

How Much THC Is in Delta-9 Gummies?

It varies. That’s why it’s critical to buy gummies made by a trusted manufacturer that does stringent testing to ensure consistency and is transparent about what its products contain.

For example, at Hempfield Botanicals, we:

Use organically grown hemp from sustainable farms in PA.
Make our gummies in our food-grade, quality-controlled Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) certified production facility.
Test raw ingredients and each finished batch of our gummies internally and follow up with testing at a third-party lab to verify potency, quality, and purity. We validate that each gummy contains 10 mg delta-9 THC and 10 mg CBD (cannabidiol).

Vegan, Natural, Hemp-derived D9 THC Gummies | Hempfield Botanicals

Do Delta-9 THC Gummies Get You High?

An individual’s response after ingesting gummies with THC may differ significantly from another person’s reaction. Everyone’s biochemistry is unique, so two people who consume the same amount of THC might have rather different experiences.

When delta-9 THC is metabolized in the liver and converted into 11-hydroxy-THC, it becomes more potent and longer-lasting than THC. Factors such as weight, metabolism, and genetics all play a role in how long it takes a person to feel the effects, what kind of effects they feel (e.g., relaxed, sleepy, intoxicated, etc.), how intense the effects are, and how long the effects last. Generally, the longer it takes a person to metabolize 11-hydroxy-THC, the more intense and prolonged its effects.

Typically, most people begin to feel the full effects after 30 minutes to two hours of consuming an edible (whereas smoking and vaping have a more immediate impact). Depending on the THC dose, effects might last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours, with residual effects lasting 12 to 24 hours.

How Much Should You Take?

THC gummies have a delayed effect, so a controlled “start low and go slow” approach is recommended, especially for anyone new to edibles. A low dosage of 2.5 to 5 mg can help you determine how the gummy will affect you and gauge if that’s enough — or if you require more — to achieve the desired effects. Increasing the dose slowly over time, waiting at least 2 hours before consuming a second 2.5 mg THC dose, is a common strategy for getting the desired results without unwanted side effects.

We recommend taking just a quarter to one-half of one gummy as a starting dose of our Delta-9 Gummies.

Does Delta-9 THC Show Up on a Drug Screen?

THC from edibles — even if derived from hemp — will show up on drug tests of all types (i.e., urine, hair, blood, saliva, and sweat). And THC consumed via edibles might even show up on drug tests for a more extended time period than when consumed via other administration methods (vaping, smoking, etc.) because of how the body metabolizes it.

What Are Some Signs You’ve Had Too Much THC, and What Should You Do?

Because consuming edible cannabis has a slower onset of effects than smoking or vaping cannabis, there’s an increased risk of taking too much. People have mistakenly over-consumed edibles, thinking they weren’t working when they just needed more time to kick in.

Signs of THC overconsumption include:

Extreme tiredness
Inability to move
Rapid heartbeat
Anxious feelings
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Delusions
Problems breathing due to respiratory depression

The low-and-slow approach to taking edibles will help avoid these issues, but what happens if you accidentally take more THC than you can handle?

Recommendations for when someone experiences those or other effects after consuming edibles include:

Do not take more cannabis in any form.
Drink water — Some people find that using cannabis has a diuretic effect and leaves them feeling dehydrated.
Take THC-free CBD oral oil – Its calming properties can help alleviate feelings of anxiousness.
Chew on a few black peppercorns – They contain the terpenes pinene and caryophyllene, which are known to temper down THC’s psychoactive effects and help calm symptoms of anxiety and paranoia.
Lie down in a safe place.

Note that these are not substitutes for medical treatment. Consider asking a health professional for guidance before taking edibles (especially if you have a health condition) and seek emergency care if you have an extreme reaction.