Hemp was previously listed as a controlled substance in the United States with lawmakers under the impression that it was no different than marijuana. With research however, it became apparent that a distinct chemical difference set the two herbs apart, giving lawmakers the initiative to unlist hemp as a controlled substance through the 2018 Farm Bill.
Even then, there are lots of questions on the minds of hemp enthusiasts, especially because it comes from the same plant as marijuana. In the state of Vermont however, marijuana legality means that people won’t have to worry too much about the overlapping of marijuana laws and hemp freedom.
Hemp is legal, so there shouldn’t be any question as to whether or not it can be used in public spaces. Since it isn’t a controlled substance, law enforcement agents wouldn’t have a reason to apprehend anyone caught using hemp. But then again, it’s important to consider how closely it resembles marijuana.
The law states that any part of the cannabis plant containing 0.3% THC or less is considered hemp. Anything more than that would mean that the herb is marijuana. And aside from this major distinction, there isn’t anything else that tells the two herbs apart.
Considering this, it’s easy to see how law enforcement agents would be confused between the two varieties of cannabis. That’s also the reason why some people feel compelled to ask whether or not they can smoke hemp in public areas. If you live in a state where marijuana is illegal, then smoking raw hemp flower could cause unwanted attention and may even get your stash confiscated.
In Vermont however, it’s a different story. Since the state has completely and fully legalized marijuana, there’s no need to worry about your hemp being mistaken for its psychoactive cousin. But even then, marijuana can’t be smoked in public spaces, in rented apartments if your landlord isn’t okay with it, or near schools and daycares. And because hemp looks a lot like marijuana, it might be best to avoid using it in these situations just to steer clear of confusion.
Walk into a convenience store, and you’re likely to find some hemp-infused food or drink. These are available in a wide variety including candies, gummies, cookies, brownies, jerky, protein powder, and even energy drinks and water. These hemp-infused products are sold across the country and are shipped across borders without any issues.
However the FDA reiterates that hemp edibles aren’t legal. The Administration stands firm on their regulation, stating that hemp isn’t approved as a food additive.
Even then, it seems these products are free to move across the market. So even if they’re technically illegal, it doesn’t seem like authorities are interested in apprehending individuals who are caught buying, selling, or using such products.
Since you can grow marijuana in the state of Vermont, you could also grow hemp. However because it is possible to produce cannabis with more than 0.3% THC if you’re not exactly a hemp farmer, then it would help to abide by the marijuana restrictions just in case you clock in higher levels of THC than what’s required to qualify for hemp.
According to the local legislature, a single dwelling can have four immature plants and two mature or flowering plants at any given time. Following these guidelines should help you avoid any encounters with law enforcement especially since you won’t be testing your hemp for chemistry to ensure that they clock in the right amount of THC.
The 2018 Farm Bill has made it possible for people to enjoy the hemp, but its close ties with marijuana mean that there will still be certain restrictions in place. Even in states like Vermont where marijuana is supposedly fully legal, some of the fine print means that you still might not be able to smoke raw hemp flower in public, or grow as much as you want at home. Nonetheless, the state does offer significantly more freedom than the many other states surrounding it.
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