Considering how many legal THC products are available to American citizens these days, many people simply assume that cannabis is now legal across the United States. Unfortunately, the legality of THC in the U.S. is not so clear cut. While the U.S. Farm Bill did federally legalize hemp plants and products which contain up to 0.3% THC or less, each individual state may have their own laws and regulations concerning this cannabinoid. In this article, we will explain the significance of the 2018 Farm Bill for the hemp industry, examine the 2024 Farm Bill extension, and take a brief look at the legality of delta-9 THC across the United States. 

What Is The United States Farm Bill?

The U.S. Farm Bill, which made the production and selling of hemp plants legal, went into effect in 2018. According to the definition laid out in this bill, the maximum amount of delta-9 THC allowed in authorized hemp products is 0.3%. Therefore, products like CBD oil and hemp topicals which contain less than 0.3% THC are technically legal across the country. However, each state has their own regulations, meaning that in some territories, hemp products may not legally contain any THC. At the federal level, cannabis plants and products which contain more than 0.3% THC are still illegal. On the other hand, some states have legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana. Thus, the legal status of delta-9 THC varies across the country. The Farm Bill was recently extended for another year. In September of 2025, it will need to be reauthorized. 

So, Is Delta-9 THC Legal?

Since each state is free to regulate cannabis however it sees fit, Delta-9 THC has a significantly distinct legal situation at the state level.  More than 40 states have authorized cannabis for medical use, while 23 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized it for recreational use.  In these states, delta-9 THC is legal for both medical and recreational use, though there are frequent restrictions, like possession and age requirements.

As stated above, the legal status of THC may vary from state to state. Furthermore, while recreational marijuana use may be legal in some states, it is still federally illegal. Of course, this may lead to much confusion and contradiction for those involved with the hemp and cannabis industries. This is why it’s important to keep up with the news cycles concerning these industries.

For Legal THC, Try Happy Fruit!

To stay up-to-date with the constantly evolving landscape of hemp legality in the United States, keep checking in with the Happy Fruit blog. We constantly update our news articles so we can help keep you informed about the industry. If you are shopping for legal THC gummies, check out our website! There, you’ll find our wide selection of flavors and formulas, as well as third party lab test results for all of our products. At Happy Fruit, we guarantee that our gummies are some of the most delicious, effective, and trustworthy products available on the market!