The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 or simply called the Farm Bill made a number of changes to the agricultural industry. But perhaps the most prominent change the bill made was that it unlisted hemp from the country’s list of controlled substances. With that, the hemp industry went on an unprecedented rise, quickly becoming the fastest growing market in the United States today.
But while individuals can enjoy certain freedom with the use of hemp products, there are some regulations in place to help protect marijuana laws. In Hawaii however, hemp and marijuana legislature are both moving forward to provide citizens with more freedom.
What the 2018 Farm Bill did is that it completely removed hemp from the nation’s list of controlled substances. That means that it’s no longer illegal, so individuals should be able to smoke it freely without having to worry about any possible repercussions.
But it’s impossible to talk about hemp legality without reaching into marijuana law. Everything about hemp and marijuana is the same except for their THC content. According to the Farm Bill, any part of the cannabis plant can be hemp as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC – the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis.
If the harvest contains any more than 0.3% THC, then it qualifies as marijuana which is illegal for recreational use in the state of Hawaii. That said, law enforcement agents do have a tough time telling the two herbs apart since there’s nothing that distinguishes them from one another aside from their THC content.
This is where the issue of smokeable raw flower comes into play. Although hemp is legal, it’s uncanny resemblance to marijuana could meant that law enforcement agents might have to confiscate your flower to test it for THC content if you’re found using it in public areas.
So unless you’re willing to have your raw flower taken away to a lab, you might want to consider leaving your hemp flower at home in favor of other hemp products. There are loads of alternatives on the market, from edibles to topicals, and all of these are free to use within the state of Hawaii.
Hemp edibles are increasing in popularity and are available almost everywhere you turn. Sold at farmer’s markets, convenience stores, bazaars, and more, hemp infused food and drink products are perhaps some of the most widely used in the entire hemp industry. These products also mix things up with variety and fun flavors.
Many online vendors that offer hemp claim that edibles make up a large chunk of their sales. Which means that these products are also free to pass state borders without triggering any issues when checked through security.
Hemp is legal, but that doesn’t mean just anyone can grow it. The reason why the state of Hawaii grants licenses only to those who are qualified to grow hemp is because of the delicate nature of the plant. Minor mistakes in the cultivation process could lead to an increase of THC, resulting to a marijuana harvest instead of a hemp harvest. So at home, DIY farmers are prohibited from attempting to grow their own stash.
While people already enjoy substantial freedom considering the present state of hemp legislature, aspects of marijuana law slightly overlap with hemp freedom. Nonetheless, the state of Hawaii is easing itself into more lenient marijuana legislature that might help improve the situation for those who enjoy hemp. For the meantime however, you might want to keep your raw hemp flower tucked away at home to prevent any inconvenience with law enforcement in public spaces.
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