Delta 9 has been popular for decades. As the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is most often associated with marijuana, which is illegal. The cannabinoid, however, also exists in hemp, which is federally legal in the United States. Though not many users know that legal delta 9 derived from hemp is, in fact, a reality in our country, the compound is impressively beneficial to those who seek it.
Even though the federal government has legalized hemp, some states have passed their own legislation restricting or banning the plant. So, is the Tarheel State one of these restrictors, or is delta 9 legal in North Carolina?
Is Delta 9 Legal in NC - North Carolina?
Before we get into the specifics of North Carolina, let’s take a step back and assess the Farm Bill, or the piece of federal legislation that made hemp-derived cannabinoids possible in all 50 states.
Also known as the Agriculture Improvement Act, the Farm Bill was signed in 2018 by then-president Donald Trump. The groundbreaking piece of legislation legalized hemp and hemp-derived compounds at the federal level but left marijuana’s status as an illegal controlled substance untouched. Under the Farm Bill, hemp is defined as a cannabis plant containing 0.3% THC or less on a dry weight basis, while any cannabis plant surpassing that cap is considered marijuana.
But let’s get back to the Tarheel State. Is delta 9 legal in North Carolina?
The answer is yes! Following the passing of the Farm Bill, North Carolina passed Senate Bill 352, which amended the state’s Controlled Substances Act to exclude all hemp-derived compounds, including delta 9. The bill defines hemp products as “any product within a delta-9 THC concentration of three-tenths percent (0.3%) on a dry weight basis derived from, or made by, processing hemp plants or plant parts, that are prepared in a form available for commercial sale, including, but not limited to, cosmetics, personal care products, food intended for animal or human consumption…and any product containing one or more hemp-derived cannabinoids, such as cannabidiol…”
This means that as long as your delta 9 product only contains 0.3% delta 9, it is considered perfectly legal in the Tarheel State. Additionally, House Bill 252, which passed in July of 2022, reinforces that any tetrahydrocannabinol product containing no more than 0.3% are exempt from North Carolina’s Controlled Substances Act and are, in fact, legal. That said, you still have to be careful about where and how you store your delta 9 goods, especially with children around the house.
What is Delta 9 and how is it legal?
Shipping Delta 9 Products to & from NC - North Carolina
Because delta 9 products are legal in the state of North Carolina, it’s also legal to ship delta 9 products to the state, as well as traveling out of the state with delta 9 in your possession, granted that the state you’re traveling to also permits the use and possession of delta 9. This is amazing news for those in the Tarheel State looking to score some safe and high-quality D9. Although the state certainly has its own smoke shops and vape stores stocked with the compound, finding delta 9 online is the best and safest way to consume the compound. Let’s discuss a few reasons why.
The FDA does not regulate the manufacture or distribution of hemp-derived cannabinoids, so consumers should make informed choices about who manufactures hemp-derived cannabinoids. If you don't know where to look, shopping online is the best place to start. Shipping delta 9 to NC is legal, so you can find reputable companies no matter where you are in the state.
Online stores are often more transparent and legitimate than their local counterparts, which is one of their most important qualities. For your safety, most online retailers provide full ingredient lists and third-party laboratory testing for their products. Additionally, some of the information you can gain about how these companies source and manufacture hemp-derived products can be found by looking through their website, as well as by reading online reviews from people all over the country, not just those in your area.
Online shopping also offers more variety than in-store shopping. In person, you have to choose between what you see, try your luck elsewhere, or leave empty-handed. However, you can search through thousands of products online until you find exactly what you're looking for. From the comfort of your home, you can find hemp-derived products that meet all your needs, no matter what type you're looking for.
Delta 9 in NC - North Carolina
Is delta 9 legal in North Carolina? Yes. Does that mean all types of delta 9 are legal in the state? No. In the Tarheel State, marijuana—and any compound derived from the plant—are considered illegal. Possession could be seen as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the amount, and being found with recreational marijuana in the state could cost you prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
This means that those wishing to reap the benefits of cannabis in North Carolina in a safe and legal way must do so via hemp-derived compounds like delta 9. That said, not all delta 9 is created equal, and knowing how to get your hands on high-quality cannabinoids is the most important safety aspect of using them.
Things to Consider When Buying Delta 9 in NC - North Carolina
Although buying delta 9 in North Carolina is legal, whether done in person or online, not all delta 9 being sold in today’s market is safe. Hemp and its compounds provide all-natural benefits like pain relief, anxiety management, and psychoactive experiences, but the extraction and creation processes for many hemp-derived products can result in dangerous residues for consumers. Here’s a quick list of things to look out for when it comes to picking the best hemp product sources.
#1: Choose Organic Hemp
We already know that for delta 9 to be legal in North Carolina, it needs to be made from hemp containing no more than 0.3% THC, but that’s not all there is to hemp. The plant is known for being exceptionally absorbent, meaning it can take in nutrients and toxins from its environment. Like any other plant, hemp can be grown with or without pesticides, but using these chemical pest control methods could result in some of those contaminants ending up in your product. Always choose retailers that use organic hemp grown with no pesticides, herbicides, or any other harmful chemicals.
#2: Know Your Extraction Methods
Like most things in life, there’s more than one way to extract compounds from hemp. The safest and most effective, however, is by using CO2. This method provides the purest and most consistent results, but it’s also the most expensive. Take CO2 extractions as a sign that the company you’re buying from values the quality of their products over making quick profits with subpar compounds.
#3: Steer Clear from Bleach
Oftentimes, manufacturers may bleach their extracts to make them appear cleaner and of higher quality. A hemp extract is never, ever completely clear. Usually, high quality extracts are amber or even pinkish in color, but never fully colorless. A cloudy concentrate isn't a good sign either, so choose a product that is transparent but not completely devoid of color.
#4: Always Ask for Lab Tests
Lab testing is perhaps the most important item on this list. Because any extraction method, even CO2, can be dangerous, it needs to be carried out by a seasoned and properly qualified professional. Third-part lab testing ensures that the product you consume does not contain any contaminants or additives, and it also provides accurate measurements for THC contents, purity, and potency.
#5: Do Your Own Research
In the Information Age, it seems silly not to use the tools and knowledge placed right at your fingertips, especially when it comes to your health. Before choosing a company to buy cannabinoids from, be sure to go on the internet and do some research on their practices and values. Look around their website and try to find information on how they source their products and whether or not they test them. Look for customer reviews and comments. Are the customers satisfied? Do they have complaints? How does the company respond? How a company treats its customers says a lot about their ethics, so be sure to get a full picture before investing in a company.
NC - North Carolina Market Grows with Delta 9 & Medical Marijuana
Although recreational cannabis is not legal in North Carolina, the Tarheel State shocked the nation when it approved its first ever medical cannabis legislation. Although this is thrilling news for NC residents looking to benefit from the endless array of cannabis’s positive effects, those who don’t qualify for the bill can still find solace in hemp-derived compounds like delta 9.
NC - North Carolina Medical Cannabis Laws
For a very long time, North Carolina had virtually no medical marijuana laws. Qualified patients had to go out of state to buy medical cannabis in states that allowed medical cannabis services to patients from other states. In 2022, however, North Carolina pleasantly surprised the rest of the country with a much more progressive medical cannabis bill supported by republicans and democrats alike.
In June of that same year, Senate Bill 711 was approved, winning an overwhelming majority of the votes, and putting the Bootheel State that much closer to joining the club of 37 other states with legal medical cannabis programs. The bill created North Carolina’s Compassionate Care Act.
Earlier in 2022, it was discovered that over 82% of North Carolina voters favored the legalization of medical cannabis, and even though it is not clear whether this affected lawmakers’ decisions, they’ve certainly had a change of heart regarding the topic. The NC Compassionate Care Act accomplished several things, including allowing access to cannabis for patients with qualifying debilitating medical conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Epilepsy
- HIV/AIDS
- ALS
- Chron’s disease
- Sickle cell anemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
Additionally, the Senate Judiciary Committee altered the list to allow medical cannabis access to patients with terminal illnesses given six months or less to live, as well as those with illnesses or conditions resulting in hospice care.
To qualify for a medical marijuana card in the Tarheel State, patients need to be 18 years or older (or be under 18 with parental consent), have a current diagnosis of a qualifying condition, hold an official written certification from a physician, and some other information, including an application form, a completed physician certification, and an application fee.
In addition, applicants must be residents of North Carolina, including proof of residency such as a driver’s license or state ID. Although patients can possess up to one and a half ounces of marijuana under this new bill, home cultivation still remains forbidden. The bill also includes up to 10 medical marijuana suppliers to control the cultivation and distribution of cannabis, with each supplier given permission to operate up to four dispensaries, totaling to up to 40 state-approved dispensaries across North Carolina. The Medical Cannabis Production Commission, also created by the bill, is tasked with overseeing supply, licensing, revenue, and fair access to medical cannabis.
This all sounds great on paper, but because the bill is so new, its execution is still being planned before carried out by the state. This means that in practice, medical cannabis is at least months, and could be years, away in North Carolina. Additionally, while the bill has been well-received by voters, some local hemp producers see North Carolina as a “farming state.”
“I would like to see a way to have [the bill] benefit more farmers, more communities, across North Carolina,” says local hemp producer Harrison Tulloss, “Right now, it seems like the big publicly-traded companies are at the table.” Only time will tell if the state’s government heeds its farmers calls, perhaps incorporating local hemp products into its newly passed bill.
NC - North Carolina Medical Cannabis vs. Hemp-Derived Delta 9
So, even though North Carolina does have a medical cannabis program, it was just recently approved, so those who would qualify for and benefit from medical marijuana in the Tarheel State still have to wait some time to reap the rewards of this revolutionary legislation. In the meantime, patients can still find the same benefits from hemp-derived delta 9. Delta 9 extracted from marijuana and delta 9 extracted from hemp are essentially the same compound. In fact, they’re chemically identical, with their only differences being how much THC they’re legally allowed to contain and what plant they originate from.
Where to Find Delta 9 in NC - North Carolina
Now that you’ve got the scoop on delta 9’s legal status in North Carolina, you’re probably wondering where to get some high-quality delta 9 around the Tarheel State. As previously mentioned, the best and safest way to get hemp-derived cannabinoids is to buy them online, but if you’re looking to do some old-fashioned in person shopping, here are a few places to check out.
Charlotte – GreenLife Remedies – 4.9 Stars
“If you’re looking for the BEST cannabis experience in Charlotte,” writes one reviewer for GreenLife Remedies, “This is your spot!” With raving reviewers going crazy over their high-quality products, fair prices, and incredible customer service, what else is there to say?
Linville – Blue Flowers Cannabis Hemp Dispensary – 5.0 Stars
With a kind and knowledgeable staff, a welcoming atmosphere, and a wide variety of options, Blue Flowers Cannabis has it all. “This is by far the best selection in town and worth stopping by,” says one reviewer. You’ll certainly find what you’re looking for here, and if you can’t, the staff will help you find it!
Raleigh – Hempie’s – 4.9 Stars
Dozens of reviews all have the same exact thing to say about Hempie’s: their products are high quality, the workers know their stuff, and they care much more about their customers than they do about making a quick buck. Customers call it “the best hemp store in Raleigh,” and they were even voted as this year’s Raleigh’s Best Hemp Store!
Delta 9 in NC - North Carolina: Final Thoughts
With recreational marijuana considered illegal and a newly passed medical cannabis bill, North Carolina is warming up to cannabis, but it’s not quite there yet. But is delta 9 legal in North Carolina? It is, but only when derived from hemp. Delta 9 products are legal in the Tarheel State as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC, so North Carolinians can still reap all the benefits of cannabis via hemp-derived products all throughout the state!
