May 9, 2023

Don't Buy "Hemp-derived Delta-9 Carts" Until You Read This

BY Hayden Johnson

Myth Buster

Home > Blog > Don't Buy "Hemp-derived Delta-9 Carts" Until You Read This

Key Takeaways

Delta-9 THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis and can be found in both hemp and marijuana; hemp is legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
Due to the 0.3% dry weight THC limit for hemp products, Delta-9 THC vape cartridges with highly concentrated distillate cannot be Farm Bill-compliant; thus, 'hemp-derived Delta-9 carts' are either illegal or fake.
Legal alternatives to Delta-9 THC vape carts include hemp-derived Delta-9 edibles, THCA dabs, or Delta-8 vapes- all of which must be purchased from reputable sources with third-party lab testing for safety and compliance.

Across the internet, you will find sites claiming to sell "hemp-derived Delta-9 carts."

But are Farm Bill-compliant Delta-9 vape carts a real thing, or could they actually put you in legal jeopardy? Keep reading to find out the truth.

What Is Delta-9?

hands pulling cannabis bud out of jar with gloves on

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid (a compound found in cannabis plants) consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon. It is one of the most abundant compounds in the plant, and the one primarily responsible for its psychoactive effects.

When consumed, Delta-9 THC begins to bind to the CB receptors in the body's Endocannabinoid System (ECS), which produces a range of sensations such as:

Euphoria (aka, feeling "high")
Increased appetite (the "munchies")
Creativity and aesthetic appreciation
Physical and mental relaxation

Of course, cannabinoids affect everyone differently, so individual experiences vary.

The terms "Delta-9" and "THC" are often used interchangeably because Delta-9 is the most well-known form of THC, but it is only one among many variations, like Delta-8 THC. And although found in greater concentrations in marijuana, Delta-9 THC can be found and extracted from hemp as well, with the only distinction being that hemp contains <0.3% THC by dry weight.

What Is a Cart?

A "cart," short for cartridge, is a cannabis product used when vaping. Carts generally come as tubes with mouthpieces attached to a battery, which acts as a heating device to bring cannabinoids to their boiling point. This process vaporizes and allows one to inhale the plant's active compounds.

Within each cart is a distillate, a cannabis extract that has undergone a process of separation with selective boiling and condensation to yield a single cannabinoid in its liquid, gooey form. Some carts also use oils derived from hemp or marijuana through CO2 extraction.

Distillate is the basis of many hemp-derived products. Everything from our Live Rosin Caramel Taffies to our Fruity Rainbow Cereal Bites contains distillate. On its own, this concentrate has a very bitter and unpleasant taste, which is why we use an infusion method for our edibles. Infusing distillate into an edible mixture ensures better flavor while not compromising potency or consistency.

Besides distillate (one of the purest cannabinoid concentrates) and oils, carts may contain carrier liquids to make them easier to vaporize, flavoring agents, terpenes, or even other cannabis extracts such as live resin to offer a more piney, natural flavor.

The key takeaway here is that the contents of a cart will consist of a highly pure form of cannabinoid.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

So we've established that Delta-9 is just another term for "THC," and carts are just tubes filled with cannabinoid extracts. Now, we will break down the differences between hemp and marijuana.

The words "hemp" and "marijuana" can mean many things to different people, from a plant material used to make textiles to a highly regulated "drug."

However, in federal laws, these terms are used to define Cannabis sativa with a 0.3% or lower concentration of Delta-9 THC by dry weight (legal hemp) and cannabis with any concentration higher than this (illegal marijuana).

This distinction is not one rooted in science but one established by lawmakers. To make it clear, hemp and marijuana are the same plant with the same cannabinoids- their only real difference is the dry weight concentration of Delta-9 THC.

Dry Weight Concentration

Before we reveal the verdict about "hemp-derived Delta-9 THC cartridges," we have to cover what "dry weight concentration" is and why it matters. When discussing plants and other agricultural products, "dry weight" means the weight recorded after a processor removes water from the mass.

Think aboout it like alchol by volume (ABV). Dry weight concentration isn't a set quantity of Delta-9 allowed in hemp products, but rather a proportion of the product's dry weight.

Because of this, you can legally purchase products like our Fudgy Delta-9 Brownies, which contain 200mg of Delta-9 THC but fall into the hemp category because (1) we derived its active cannabinoids from hemp, and (2) the amount of THC does not account for more than 0.3% of the product's dry weight.

In America, it might be a bit hard to conceptualize 300mg because we use the imperial system. However, consider this: according to the U.S. Currency Education Program, a U.S. one-dollar bill weighs approximately 1 gram.

If one thousand milligrams equals one gram and edibles like our Cereal Bites contain 300 milligrams of Delta-9 per package, that isn't even half the weight of a one-dollar bill. So compare that to the total weight of the edible, and it's pretty easy to see how it would exceed no more than 0.3% of its dry weight (we have our products tested by a DEA-certified lab to verify this).

Can You Buy Hemp-Derived Delta-9 THC Vape Carts?

Okay, now for the reason you came. Can you even buy compliant "hemp-derived Delta-9 carts?"

No, and here's why:
The concentration of Delta-9 THC by dry weight determines whether a cannabis product is hemp or marijuana.
A Delta-9 THC vape cartridge would contain distillate or oil, both of which would have a nearly 100% concentration of Delta-9 THC.
As of this writing, under federal law, a compliant hemp product can contain no more than 0.3% Detla-9 THC by dry weight.
So if you see something online labeled as a "hemp-derived Delta-9 THC vape cart," it's either bogus or breaking the law.

Now, that's not to say that Delta-9 THC vapes do not exist. You can get such products if marijuana is legal for medical or recreational purposes in your state. But for the time being, a hemp version of such a product just doesn't exist.

Legal Alternatives

happy girls clinking alcohol free drinks

If you're looking for alternatives to Delta-9 Carts, look no further than Hometown Hero.

Vapes

Our selection of federally-legal Disposable Vapes contains a proprietary blend of Delta-8 THC, HHC, THCA liquid diamonds, and terpene-rich live resin in various strains. Each device is rechargeable, portable, and delivers a potent experience for those looking for an inhalable cannabis product. Just remember that state laws regarding vapes vary.

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Indica + Sativa 5g Live Resin Vape Bundle

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sativa

EXPLORE

2g Live Resin Vape Trio

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sativa

hybrid

EXPLORE

Dabs

How about dabs? Since these hemp-derived concentrates contain THCA rather than Delta-9, they are Farm Bill-compliant. THCA is simply the precursor to THC, so when you heat your dab with your rig, it converts to Delta-9 THC, giving you the same euphoric effects and potency. Pretty cool, huh?

Indica, Sativa, & Hybrid Dab Trio

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sativa

hybrid

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Edibles

And of course, you can't go wrong with cannabis edibles. I know, I know, back then, these delicious treats were notorious for taking forever to kick in. But in this day and age, you don't even have to wait for your gummy to hit, since fast-acting THC edibles are a thing. Drinks, gummies, you name it!

Tropical THC Drink Mix Trio Pack

Fast-Acting

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Double Take Gummies Trio Pack

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sativa

hybrid

EXPLORE

With the widespread legalization of hemp, more adults 21 and over have access to the remarkable properties of cannabis than ever before. Plus, we must remember all the jobs and local businesses that this budding industry has created and supported.

Nonetheless, as with any gold rush (or "green rush," to be more accurate), there will be many trying to get their "piece of the pie." There are many reputable cannabis brands out there that put in the time and effort to ensure transparency and safety for their customers.

That's why we have our products third-party tested by a DEA-certified laboratory, with full-panel results readily available, so you can be confident that what you're buying is Farm-bill compliant, worth your money in terms of cannabinoid content, and contaminant-free.

However, there are also a lot of fly-by-night operations in the game trying to make a quick buck before jumping on the next big thing. So if you see a vendor claiming to sell "hemp-derived Delta-9 carts," it's a major red flag.

No matter where you shop online, ensure that the vendor you're purchasing from has full-panel results that show content and safety. If you find a product labeled as a "hemp Delta-9 cart," it will probably not have a Certificate of Analysis, or the COA will reveal something other than what is advertised. And if you want to try hemp-derived Delta-9 for yourself, we have a wide array of THC products and complimentary samples for first-time customers.

Until next time.

FDA Disclaimer: The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.

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