What exactly is hemp-derived THC?

[orthene]

This is from the Star Tribune in Minnesota, hence the references. Too long to post here but the rest is here:
https://www.startribune.com/what-exactly-is-hemp-derived-thc-and-how-is-it-different-from-marijuana/600208221/

Delta-8 THC — Despite a slew of states legalizing it, federal law still bans the sale and possession of delta-9 THC. But there are related chemicals that have a similar chemical structure and effect that are federally legal. Since the 2018 Farm Bill legally separated hemp and its extracts from marijuana, high-inducing delta-8 THC has been converted from hemp-derived CBD and sold in a legal gray area. It produces a similar but milder high compared to delta-9 THC.

An important note for Minnesota: The state's THC edible law applies to all forms of THC. This means vapes and cannabis buds with more than 0.3% of any THC are illegal, as are edibles and drinks with more than 5 mg of any THC. CBD-only vapes and buds can be legally sold in Minnesota.

Extraction — Turning CBD-rich hemp flower into an increasingly concentrated extract, distillate or isolate requires a trip to the chemistry lab.

Usually the first step involves heating plant material to activate cannabinoids, a process known as decarboxylation — though this can follow the extraction process.

At commercial operations, extraction happens when hemp buds are packed into canisters with carbon dioxide or ethanol. This causes CBD, fats, terpenes and some other organic material to separate from the plant and provides a crude CBD oil.

The crude oil is then filtered and distilled — and often "winterized" with ethanol or another solvent — to reach a nearly pure CBD end product. The product must be tested to ensure it is free of residual solvents or byproducts.

CBD is then added to coconut oil or another "carrier" oil in various doses to be used in a range of products.

Conversion — Once CBD is extracted and purified to an acceptable level, it can be chemically converted to other cannabinoids — including delta-9 THC. This conversion is the source of most hemp-derived THC on the market, since hemp plants by definition have very little naturally occurring THC.

The conversion process involves combining pure CBD with a solvent, such as toluene or heptane, and a strong acid. The resulting THC is then purified and cleansed of solvents, acids and byproducts and must be tested to prove no unwanted materials are in the finished product.

How to get from hemp to THC gummies
Since hemp by legal definition has a minuscule amount of naturally occurring THC, it must be converted from CBD (cannabidiol) via chemical reaction.

1. An unrefined oil is extracted by running carbon dioxide or ethanol through canisters packed with hemp flower. The buds are often heated before extraction to activate chemicals like CBD.
2. The oil is filtered and often "winterized" with ethanol to separate CBD from fats, organic matter and other compounds found in cannabis.
3. Ethanol or other solvents are removed and the oil is distilled to purify and isolate the CBD.
4. CBD is added to a carrier oil, like coconut, to be used in a variety of products and quantities.
5. CBD is converted to THC by combining a solvent with the CBD and a strong acid. The resulting THC is purified and cleansed of solvents, acids and byproducts.
6. The final CBD or THC product is tested to ensure unwanted chemicals aren't present and to determine precise amounts of cannabinoids present.
Source: Carpe Diem CBD, Hemp Acres, American Chemical Society • By Mark Boswell, Star Tribune
Third-party testing — Minnesota state law requires cannabis products undergo third-party testing to ensure there are "no more than trace amounts of any mold, residual solvents, pesticides, fertilizers or heavy metals." The end CBD or THC product, not the hemp from which it is derived, must undergo the testing, and products on shelves are legally required to provide consumers a link to test results.

HHC — Hexahydrocannabinol is another intoxicating cannabis compound that, like delta-8 THC, gained prominence after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized industrial hemp and its extracts. While HHC is not specifically allowed or outlawed in Minnesota, as it is not a type of THC, it remains unregulated and largely unstudied.

THC-O — THC-O acetate, or more commonly THC-0, is said to produce a high more akin to psychedelic drugs. It is not found naturally in cannabis plants — it must be synthesized from extracted or converted THC — and thus its legality is murky.

"Given the lack of human studies surrounding delta-9 THC-O acetate, caution should be advised for any individuals who choose to synthesize, sell or use this product," the National Poison Control Center says.

Medical — Like Minnesota's legal THC market, the medical marijuana program in the state is an outlier. A regulated duopoly of companies — RISE Minnesota and Vireo Health/Green Goods — are allowed to run a specific number of dispensaries for a relatively limited set of conditions. As of Sept. 8, 37,568 people were registered as patients in Minnesota, according to the Department of Health. Smokeable marijuana and infused gummies only recently joined oils as allowed uses.

Terpenes — The characteristic dank or skunky smell of cannabis buds is due to the presence of terpenes. These are molecules made of carbon and hydrogen found in a variety of plants but have high concentrations in cannabis and its cousin, hops. Different varieties of terpenes impart different flavors and aromas — pine, citrus, diesel — though research has thrown water on the idea that cannabis terpenes affect the high caused by THC.

Minnesota law

On THC: Food and drink with up to 5 milligrams of hemp-derived THC per serving — and 50 mg per package — are legal for those 21 and older to purchase. No other products with THC above 0.3% are legal in the state, including vapes and smokeable flower, outside the medical program.

Legal THC products must be in child-proof packaging, be clearly labeled with dosage and content warnings and contain information on who manufactured the product and test results — or a QR code that links to that data. The Minnesota Board of Pharmacy oversees THC-infused edibles and drinks.

On CBD: Like with THC products, Minnesota law now restricts sales of CBD and any cannabinoid "extracted or otherwise derived from hemp" to those 21 and older. Products must also bear a disclaimer stating it "does not claim to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and has not been evaluated or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration unless the product has been so approved."

Federal law

Marijuana — cannabis with more than a 0.3% concentration of delta-9 THC — remains a Schedule I drug under federal law and its possession, sale and cultivation is a crime. Rules around banking, credit card processing and income taxes can all pose problems for cannabis-based businesses as a result.

The possession, sale and cultivation of hemp — cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 THC — has been federally legal since 2018. Some states have different rules regarding extracts like delta-8 THC.

Medical marijuana has some federal protections. Every year since 2014, a budget amendment has passed that prevents the U.S. Justice Department from spending money to go after states with medical marijuana programs.

[KratomToke]

Great 👍 Info.

 

[BurnMan]

A lot of vendors have moved to the next generation of noids and have left these Delta series behind.

HHC is a good example.

[1954]

Sticking almost exclusively to 50mg D8 gummies. Great sleeping.

[3V1L9371U5]

Good to see you, '54! 

Love the chill of D8.  Great for help to sleep and relax, but clearheaded.  Thick shit.  Better edible than vape form.

D10 is...OK.  Seems kinda...unremarkable?  Does the job.
I like the THC-O *a lot*.   

Good effects/potency combo, there.  Vapes quite well.

Haven't made it to the HHC yet - that seems to be the soup du jour for a lot of vendors ATM.