What’s With All the Hemp-Derived THC?

If you’ve scrolled social media or browsed a grocery or liquor store lately, you’ve probably seen them—colorful gummies and fizzy drinks boasting hemp-derived THC. Marketed as alcohol alternatives, budget-friendly weed replacements, and legal loopholes for states without marijuana programs, these products are popping up everywhere.

But here’s the catch: the THC in these products isn’t actually being extracted from hemp plants. 

And while these products are technically legal under the hemp umbrella, they’ve created massive confusion about what hemp actually is—and they’ve completely overshadowed the plant’s original purpose as a natural, non-intoxicating wellness tool.

Let’s clear the air.

What Are Hemp-Derived THC Products?

Hemp-derived THC products are edibles or beverages that contain enough THC to get you high—comparable in strength to recreational marijuana—but are legally sold as hemp. That’s why you’re seeing them sold online, in gas stations, liquor stores, and grocery chains rather than in licensed dispensaries.

Gummies and drinks are the most common forms, but you can also find vapes, tinctures, and even chocolates labeled under this umbrella.

Where Does the THC Come From?

You’re probably familiar with there being some THC in full spectrum CBD products. This is actually extracted from the hemp plant which naturally produces small amounts of the compound.

With hemp-derived THC products there’s a twist: despite the name, these products aren’t made by extracting THC directly from the hemp plant. The natural levels are far too little to make high-potency products efficiently.

So how do companies get around that?

They start with CBD, which is abundant in hemp. Then, in a lab, they convert that CBD into THC using a mix of solvents, acids, and synthetic processing. Technically, the end product is “derived from hemp,” but make no mistake—it’s not natural, and it’s not how cannabis plants were traditionally consumed.

This chemical conversion process often produces contaminants and byproducts that aren’t fully tested for in these products. And unlike regulated marijuana, there’s very little oversight here.

How Is This Legal If It Has So Much THC?

It all comes down to a legal gray area.

Hemp is legally defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by weight. That means you can pack a high dose of THC into a large enough edible and still fall under the legal definition of hemp.

Example:
A 5-gram gummy can legally contain up to 15mg of THC and still be called “hemp.” There’s technically no limit on total THC content—only the percentage relative to the product’s weight.

So yes, these products can get you high. And yes, they’re still legally considered hemp.

Hemp-Derived THC vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

On paper, the THC content might look the same—but the source and quality are completely different.

Marijuana (a legal term for high-THC cannabis) naturally contains not just THC but also a broad spectrum of other cannabinoids, terpenes, and plant compounds. When grown well and minimally processed, marijuana products offer a richer, more balanced effect thanks to what’s called the entourage effect.

Hemp-derived THC products, on the other hand, are built in a lab. They usually lack the supporting cast of compounds that make cannabis truly therapeutic. On top of that, they’re not subject to the same safety testing, dosage regulation, or ingredient transparency as marijuana sold in licensed dispensaries.

If you’re looking for psychoactive relief and have access to legal cannabis, marijuana is generally the safer, more effective choice—as long as you vet the quality.

What About CBD Products?

You may have noticed that many CBD brands have started adding THC to their formulas or pivoting entirely to THC-focused products. That’s not an accident.

The truth is, many of those original CBD products were so heavily refined that they barely worked. They lacked the full spectrum of beneficial compounds that make hemp therapeutic in the first place.

Adding THC is an easier way to make people feel something—even if it’s not coming from the plant as nature intended. It’s also more profitable, since psychoactive effects are easier to market than subtle wellness benefits.

In many ways, the “CBD boom” has fizzled out—and only the brands committed to real, effective hemp are still standing.

We’re Staying Committed to Wellness

At Western MA Hemp, we’re not jumping on the hemp-derived THC bandwagon.

We don’t convert CBD into THC in a lab. We don’t chase trends. And we’ll never create products designed to get you high.

Instead, we stay true to the plant.

The THC in our products are naturally occurring, extracted gently from organically grown hemp using minimal processing. They’re not enough to intoxicate you—but just enough to support your body’s natural balance, the way hemp was traditionally used.

We believe hemp’s power lies in its ability to help people feel better without impairment. It’s not about short-term effects—it’s about long-term healing. And we’ll continue to be the brand you can trust for plant-based wellness, rooted in nature—not lab conversions.

Final Thoughts

The explosion of hemp-derived THC products might be flashy, but it’s also misleading. These aren’t the kind of natural remedies hemp was meant to provide. They’re synthetic, lightly regulated, and often misrepresent the plant’s true purpose.

If you’re here for healing, balance, and wellness—not a buzz—you deserve better.

Stick with hemp the way nature intended.

FAQ on Hemp-Derived THC

What is hemp-derived THC?

Hemp-derived THC is a psychoactive form of THC that’s made by chemically converting CBD extracted from hemp. These products are often sold as gummies, drinks, vapes, and tinctures. They can produce a high similar to marijuana, but the THC isn’t naturally extracted from the plant—it’s made in a lab.

Is hemp-derived THC natural?

Not really. While it starts with hemp-extracted CBD, it undergoes chemical conversion using solvents and acids to create THC. This is very different from simply extracting THC from a cannabis plant and is far from a “natural” process.

Why are hemp-derived THC products legal?

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp products are legal if they contain less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by weight. That means companies can legally add significant amounts of THC to larger products like gummies or drinks as long as they stay under that percentage threshold—creating a legal loophole.

How is this different from marijuana?

Although the THC content may be similar, marijuana is a whole plant product that contains a fuller spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other natural compounds. Hemp-derived THC products are lab-altered and often lack the therapeutic synergy found in quality marijuana products.

Are hemp-derived THC products safe?

Many of these products are not tested to the same standards as marijuana from licensed dispensaries. Because the THC is created through chemical conversion, there’s also a risk of leftover solvents or unknown byproducts. Always look for third-party lab results—though transparency is rare in this category.

Why are so many CBD companies selling THC now?

Many CBD products on the market weren’t effective because they were overly refined and lacked the full range of plant compounds. By adding THC, companies can offer something that produces noticeable effects—often at the expense of wellness values. It’s a shift toward selling psychoactive products rather than true hemp-based remedies.

Does Western MA Hemp make hemp-derived THC products?

No. We do not and will never produce chemically converted THC products. All THC in our products is naturally produced by the plant itself in small, legal amounts. Our goal is wellness—not intoxication—and we stay committed to crafting products that support balance, not buzz.