How Much THC is Legal in the U.S.? A Simple Guide
When it comes to THC and legality, understanding the rules can feel as tangled as holiday lights after a year in storage! With changing state laws and new products constantly hitting the market, it’s no wonder people feel confused about what’s allowed.
Let’s simplify it all and explain just how much THC is legal in the United States. Plus, we’ll dive into how Treadwell Farms embrace these regulations to bring you safe, enjoyable, and compliant products.
What is THC, and Why Does the Legal Limit Matter?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effects, the ones most people recognize as feeling “high.” In certain doses, THC may be therapeutic, helping with pain relief [1], anxiety [2], and even sleep [3].
But when it comes to legality, the magic number is 0.3%. Anything above that could get you into legal hot water in many states, especially under federal law. So how did the 0.3% rule come about?
A Look at the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill: The 0.3% THC Rule
The 2018 Farm Bill was a game-changer for hemp-derived products, including CBD and those with trace amounts of THC. In short, this bill reclassified hemp, which is cannabis with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, as a legal agricultural crop. This change was like giving the green light to CBD and hemp products nationwide — as long as they didn’t exceed that 0.3% THC threshold.
Think of this limit as a “safety net” of sorts. Just as you wouldn’t want too much caffeine in your coffee if you’re looking for a mild boost, the 0.3% THC cap ensures products stay mild enough for most users without creating a potent “high.” It allows companies like ours to incorporate the natural benefits of THC without crossing the line into intoxicating effects.
How THC Limits Are Calculated and Why They Matter
The 0.3% THC threshold is based on the dry weight of a product, which means that the amount of THC in a product is measured against the total weight of the product after moisture is removed. This measurement is a bit like checking the spice level in a whole pot of chili rather than each individual spoonful – it’s a broader measure that keeps the product in line with legal standards.
At Treadwell Farms, we carefully formulate our products to stay within these limits. It’s a balancing act, blending CBD with a touch of THC to enhance the effects naturally without tipping the scales. It’s also why we emphasize the idea of “farm to bottle,” allowing us to control every part of the process to ensure compliance and quality.
The Benefits of Low THC: Why Full Spectrum Matters - Less Can Be More
So, why even include THC in a CBD product? Think of it like adding a pinch of salt to a recipe — you might not taste it outright, but it enhances the overall flavor. In the same way, THC can amplify the benefits of CBD through what’s called the “entourage effect,” where cannabinoids work together to enhance each other’s effects.
In our Relief Gummies, a 1:1 blend of CBD and THC creates a gentle, uplifting effect that helps with pain relief and relaxation. The result? You get to experience the best of hemp’s natural benefits without the unwanted side effects that can sometimes accompany stronger isolate based products. This is a perfect alternative for someone who is looking for more psychoactivity, but prefers a natural option versus a synthetic one that includes Delta-8.
Navigating State Laws: A Patchwork of Regulations
While the Farm Bill provides a federal standard, each state can set their own rules on product potency, types etc. as long as they align with the federal bill. For anyone interested in full-spectrum products that contain THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, knowing your state’s laws can be as essential as reading the ingredient list on a new recipe.
How Treadwell Farms Stays Compliant and Safe
At Treadwell Farms, staying within legal limits isn’t just a requirement – it’s part of our commitment to quality and trust. By maintaining strict quality control, third-party testing, and farm-to-bottle traceability, we ensure that our products are both safe and compliant.
Our gummies, tinctures, and other offerings are crafted not just with the 0.3% THC rule in mind, but with the idea that our customers deserve a premium, worry-free experience. For this reason, we test our products at multiple steps during the farming, harvesting, processing and manufacturing stages both in-house in our own testing lab and with third-party testing labs. And we proudly share those testing results through our COAs.
How to Enjoy Treadwell Farms Products Within Legal THC Limits
If you’re new to CBD or looking for products that fit seamlessly into your wellness routine, we recommend starting low and going slow.
Since each Treadwell Farms product is carefully measured to contain less than 0.3% THC, you’re able to experience a gentle and balanced effect. Take a gummy after a long day to unwind, or try our Evening Blend CBD Extract before bedtime.
And for those who might be cannacurious, products like our Relief Gummies offer a great starting point. With a balanced CBD-to-THC ratio, they may help provide a mild, pain-relieving effect without any unwanted surprises.
For more on how to navigate CBD dosing visit our blog, here.
Why Understanding THC Limits is Important for Everyone
With so much growth and change in the cannabis industry, knowing the rules around THC isn’t just about legal compliance – it’s about making informed, safe choices. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or introducing someone to CBD for the first time, understanding the 0.3% limit offers peace of mind and a clear path to enjoy the benefits of hemp.
At Treadwell Farms, we’re here to make that journey as smooth and enjoyable as possible. So, the next time you’re choosing a CBD product, remember: a little bit of THC goes a long way, and staying under 0.3% doesn’t mean sacrificing quality or a full-spectrum experience. It means embracing the natural power of hemp in the way nature intended.
About the Author
Sources:
- Bains S, Mukhdomi T. Medicinal Cannabis for Treatment of Chronic Pain. [Updated 2022 Dec 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574562/
- Beletsky, A., Liu, C., Lochte, B., Samuel, N., & Grant, I. (2024). Cannabis and Anxiety: A Critical Review. Medical cannabis and cannabinoids, 7(1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1159/000534855
- Ried, K., Tamanna, T., Matthews, S., & Sali, A. (2023). Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Journal of sleep research, 32(3), e13793. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsr.13793
