Ever wondered why delta-8-THC, THCa, diet weed and more can be sold so freely while cannabis sold by legal dispensaries has such tight restrictions? Well, it all started with a loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp containing less than 0.3% delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC). The issue is that there are other tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) that can also get you high. As a result, dubiously grown and processed ‘legal weed’ has flooded convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores and other spots. The problem: these products are untested and often include false or misleading labeling.
Why should you avoid hemp-derived products?
☹️ Synthetic cannabinoids ☹️
✅Freshly Harvested✅
Hemp-derived products, such as those containing delta-8-THC and delta-10-THC, are often synthesized in labs due to their natural scarcity. These synthetic cannabinoids are designed to mimic delta-9-THC; however, they are not regulated. This lack of regulation means we don’t know exactly what companies are putting into these products or how they’re being created. Many products are sprayed or mixed with various unknown substances to cut costs and save time.
These products pose significant health risks due to potential contaminants, inconsistent potency and mislabeling. This means that anyone can easily purchase them. In fact, a study by the Keck School of Medicine of USC found that 11.4% of 12th graders used delta-8-THC. Consequently, there have been numerous reports of seizures, tachycardia, hallucinations and other severe health issues linked to these products.
For your safety and to experience the power of the plant as an actual plant, it’s best to avoid synthetics.
What is Jersey doing about it?
On September 12, Governor Murphy signed Bill S3235 into law, officially making it illegal to sell any THC product to individuals under 21. The bill places intoxicating hemp products under the regulation of the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (CRC) and tightens the criteria for what qualifies as hemp or intoxicating hemp. Intoxicating hemp is now defined as containing more than 0.3% THC across all tetrahydrocannabinols, including Delta-8 and Delta-10, not just Delta-9. Additionally, any product with more than 0.5 mg THC per serving or 2.5 mg THC per package is regulated, with synthetic cannabinoid products excluded.
In 30 days, only licensed businesses will be permitted to sell and distribute these products. Over the next 180 days, the CRC will implement further regulations to ensure compliance and safety standards for all intoxicating hemp products sold in New Jersey. These products will be subjected to the same product testing, labeling requirements and age restrictions as cannabis products sold by legal dispensaries. This means that intoxicating hemp products will only be available at licensed businesses, ensuring a safer and more regulated market.
Read Gov. Murphy’s statement here.
What does this mean for you?
Very simply, this means safer cannabis products and more transparency about what’s in your products and how they’re cultivated, processed and handled.
What products are going away?
Intoxicating hemp-derived products containing compounds like delta-8-THC, delta-10-THC, HHC, THCa and more will no longer be available at local headshops, holistic hubs, convenience stores, gas stations, liquor stores, smoke shops and other unlicensed retailers.
What to Avoid
NJ Legal & CRC-Approved
Overall, we want you to be safe out there and know what you are buying! Shop at a licensed dispensary and if the person can’t show you a Certificate of Analysis (COA), you should steer clear. Want to learn more or have questions? Sign up for more updates, reach out to us on Instagram or email [email protected]!
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Explore Pure Blossom’s curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands and essential accessories. Whether you’re doing the old Google thing, searching for a dispensary near me or nearby dispensaries in New Jersey, Pure Blossom is a short, scenic, calming drive away, and our friendly guide-connoisseurs are excited to take you through our curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands (and other essentials). We’ll see you there!