Way back in the day, hemp was once lumped together with marijuana under the impression that the two herbs were one and the same. But with research and time, it has become apparent that hemp doesn’t produce the same psychoactive effects as marijuana. And this discovery is what finally led up to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 has made hemp available across the state as a commercial agricultural commodity. But different state has varying specifics when it comes to the details of hemp law, and the State of Colorado is no different.
The shared resemblance, aroma, and chemistry between hemp and marijuana make it impossible to talk about one’s laws without talking about the others. The main reason why these two herbs were once grouped together as controlled substances is because they both come from the Cannabis sativa plant.
With time however, it became apparent that only marijuana was causing the ‘high’ that made the herbs illegal in the first place. That’s because specific cultivation techniques made it possible for farmers to reduce the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol or THC in hemp.
This main psychoactive compound is mainly responsible for the effect that marijuana has. And because it’s only present in trace amounts in hemp, the herb can’t produce the same high. Everything else about the herbs remains completely the same.
And that goes for their look and smell. Coming from the same plant, it’s virtually impossible to tell hemp and marijuana herbs apart which has become a problem for law enforcement agents in multiple states where marijuana remains a controlled substance.
On the other hand, however, marijuana is fully legal and decriminalized in the state of Colorado. So smoking hemp in public places shouldn’t get you in trouble the same way it would in other states that are still hot on the heels of marijuana use and possession.
Most salons, gas stations, and even convenience stores sell hemp-infused food products left and right. That includes all sorts of food and drinks like gummies, peanut butter, and even CBD-infused water. Most online vendors will also assert that their hemp-infused edibles are some of their best-selling products.
But even with such widespread acceptance, use, and availability, that doesn’t mean that these products are technically legal. According to the FDA, hemp extract in any form isn’t considered a viable food additive. So, mixing it in with food and drink makes the resulting product illegal.
Nonetheless, it seems these products can move freely throughout the market. And with very little regulation going into the control of the movement of hemp-infused edibles, it seems the hemp market can look forward to these products being soon approved by the FDA.
Unlike other states that require a license to let you grow hemp, the state of Colorado to grow their own plants at home for personal use. That’s mainly because the state has also legalized the recreational use of marijuana, so law enforcement agencies don’t have to think too much about keeping an eye on personal cultivation.
But even then, there are some limitations. All plants must be kept in an enclosed and locked space that can’t be viewed by people passing by. This means that you can’t grow plants outside in your garden or in your backyard if you have neighbors that can see into your lawn. If there are minors in the home, they must not be able to access the area where the plants are grown.
Up to six plants are allowed per resident over the age of 21, and homegrown plants can’t be sold. Failure to abide by these stipulations may put the individual at risk of penalties and fines.
The State of Colorado has some of the most lenient regulations when it comes to the use, sale, possession, and purchase of hemp, and that’s mainly because of their move to fully legalize and decriminalize marijuana. That said, it comes as no surprise that the state is quickly becoming one of the largest producers of hemp in the country.
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