Hemp 101: What You Need to Know About this Growing Industry

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As products like Delta-8, Delta-9, and CBD become more widely available and popular, you might find yourself wondering—what are they? It’s important to understand what they are, how they work, how they’re regulated, and how they might affect your health.

What are we talking about?

Let’s start by going over some key words and phrases to help build a base of understanding.

  1. Hemp derivatives Active

    Hemp derivatives come from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis. These derivatives are different products made from hemp, things like CBD oil or Delta-9 THC gummies. Imagine hemp is like a fruit tree, and the derivatives are all the different products you can make from the fruit, like juice and jam. In the same way, hemp derivatives all have different effects and uses, but they all come from the hemp plant.

  2. THC Active

    Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, is the compound in cannabis that makes you feel “high”. 

  3. Marijuana Active

    Marijuana-derived THC comes from the marijuana plant. It has higher levels of THC than the hemp plant, affecting the brain and how you feel more strongly.

Using hemp derivatives, like Delta-9 THC, can affect people in different ways.

Hemp-derived products, like CBD or Delta-9 THC, can affect people differently based on things like their age, metabolism, and overall health. When used appropriately, there are some reported benefits to certain hemp derivatives, like pain relief, sleep aid, anti-inflammatory effects, and more. However, especially when used improperly, it can have some negative effects. THC affects areas of the brain responsible for memory, learning, and decision-making. It can also cause feelings of intoxication, anxiety, and paranoia. Hemp-based THC can be chemically altered to create different products, strengths, and variety of side effects.

This is especially true for young people. According to a recent national study, about 1 in 3 teens have tried cannabis products before graduating high school. Adolescents may be more vulnerable to certain negative impacts of THC use, due to their developing brains.

The legal landscape around hemp derivatives is different in different states.

In 2018, the Farm Bill made hemp-derived THC, like Delta-9, legal in Wisconsin if it contains no more than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis.  Since this change, no other restrictions or regulations have been put in place in our state. THC from hemp can be altered to create different THC products in various strengths and cause intoxicating effects.  These products are not currently regulated so we can’t be sure what’s in them or their strength.  Marijuana-derived THC remains illegal in Wisconsin, both for recreational and medicinal use. Many neighboring states have different policies:

  • MN All hemp-derived THC products and marijuana is legal for adults aged 21+
  • IL All hemp-derived THC products and marijuana is legal for adults aged 21+
  • IA Some hemp-derived THC products are legal for adults aged 18+, marijuana is illegal
  • MI All hemp-derived THC products are legal for adults aged 21+, marijuana is legal with certain restrictions

We support a 21+ minimum sales age for hemp derivatives.

We know from our work in nicotine and tobacco prevention, that putting age restrictions in place for these kinds of products will help reduce access and use among youth and young adults with developing brains. We support implementing this kind of policy in Wisconsin and encourage retailers to stay up to date on this evolving topic to ensure they’re able to answer customer questions about the products they sell. Find helpful resources from the Northwoods Coalition and the “THC is Changing” Campaign.

This content is free for use with credit to Public Health Madison & Dane County .

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