As legal marijuana takes hold across America, a haze of questions is clearing. This series offers university researchers and experts perspectives on some of these issues.
Hemp and marijuana are the same plant but differ in one crucial way: hemp cannot contain more than 0.3 percent THC, the mind-altering component of marijuana that is federally classified as a Schedule 1 drug.
Legality
Is THC legal in Nebraska? As long as it is a Schedule 1 substance, marijuana is prohibited by federal law. However, some states have legalized it for medicinal or recreational use. Others have decriminalized it, so police don’t prosecute people for possessing small amounts.
Regardless of the legality of cannabis in your state, it’s essential to know how to consume it safely. Many factors can influence a person’s reaction to THC, including their height, weight, age, health status, tolerance, and what other food, liquids, or drugs they’ve consumed that day.
Additionally, laws around marijuana purchase, possession, and transportation can differ by state, county, and city. If you’re traveling, it’s essential to research the laws of each place you plan on visiting so you don’t avoid legal issues or concerns. For example, some hotels and vacation rental homes have strict rules about bringing and using cannabis on their property, which could result in a fine or even criminal penalties.
THC Content
The THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) content of marijuana or cannabis plants can range from 1 to 5 percent, depending on the strain. However, high-potency concentrates such as oils, shatter, and dab can contain upwards of 95% THC.
These highly potent products are contributing to increased calls to poison control centers and hospital emergency rooms due to users experiencing paranoia and anxiety. Despite existing research, the cannabis industry continues to market products with high THC concentrations, and there is no clear guidance on how to consume THC safely.
One way to prevent high-THC toxicity is by staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water promotes regular urination and flushes out THC metabolites from the body. Furthermore, maintaining a food journal can assist you in recognizing your tolerance and preventing THC overconsumption.
Taking a tolerance break can also be beneficial and help reduce the wear and tear on your throat and lungs from chronic smoking or vaping. You may even find that you enjoy taking a break and finding new ways to find peace and calm in your life without the use of cannabis.
THC Testing
In some states, marijuana is legal for medical use and recreational use. But in general, cannabis remains classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the US federal government and is therefore considered illicit based on its abuse potential and lack of proven medical benefits.
As a fat-soluble substance, THC is stored in fatty tissues and can be detectable by urine, saliva, hair, and sweat tests for days or weeks after use. Hydration levels, tolerance, and other foods, beverages, and drugs consumed that day can also affect these tests.
Additionally, because marijuana screens only for THC’s metabolites (carboxy-THC and 11-hydroxy-THC) rather than its active component, results don’t always tell a straightforward story about recent or residual use. Further, hydration levels can significantly affect THC metabolite detection, especially in urinalysis testing methods. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry confirmatory testing offers the best chances for reliable results. However, the process is expensive and time-consuming.
THC Extracts
Cannabis extracts are super potent marijuana products that contain a higher concentration of cannabinoids than regular marijuana flowers. To create an extract, trichomes, the frosty-looking resin that clings to cannabis flowers and has most of the plant’s cannabinoids, are separated from the rest of the cannabis plant using either a solvent-based or solventless extraction process.
The result depends on the type of solvent used and how much THC is desired in the final product. Some common forms of extracts include shatter, budder, and badder. Budder is a whipped concentrate with a fluffy, butter-like texture, while badder has a slightly runny consistency that resembles cake batter.
THC extracts are typically consumed by dabbing, which involves heating the extract on a nail in a dab rig and inhaling the cannabinoid-rich vapor. Other options for consuming THC extracts include:
- Placing them on top of a bowl of cannabis.
- Infusing them into edibles.
- Taking them sublingually (under the tongue).
This post is not intended as medical guidance or legal advice; it is for informational purposes only. Also, US and state laws frequently change, so this guide may become out of date; please refer to your local authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate info.