THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the raw, non-intoxicating compound found in freshly harvested cannabis. It only converts into THC, the compound known for its intoxicating effects, after being decarboxylated (heated), such as through smoking, vaping, or cooking. According to the U.S. DEA, THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products are legal at the federal level only if they contain no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. Source: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (dea.gov).

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, legalized the production of hemp at the federal level and removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act. Under the law, hemp is defined as the cannabis plant and any part of it containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. This Farm Bill authorized the USDA to regulate hemp production nationwide, and states like Missouri operate USDA-approved hemp programs. Products exceeding the 0.3% THC threshold are legally classified as marijuana, not hemp. Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture (usda.gov) and U.S. Food & Drug Administration (fda.gov).

Hemp and cannabis products sold legally in the U.S. are subject to lab testing requirements designed to verify cannabinoid content and screen for contaminants. Under USDA-regulated hemp programs, licensed hemp must be tested by DEA-registered laboratories to confirm delta-9 THC levels stay at or below the 0.3% legal limit before harvest. Reputable brands also commission independent third-party lab testing, producing a Certificate of Analysis (COA) that verifies potency and checks for pesticides, heavy metals, residual solvents, and microbial contaminants. We encourage customers to always look for lab-tested products with an available COA. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA Hemp Production Program (ams.usda.gov).

Cannabis is the plant genus that includes both marijuana and hemp, distinguished legally by their THC content. Cannabinoids are the naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the cannabis plant, and researchers have identified more than 100 of them. The two most studied cannabinoids are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which produces intoxicating effects, and CBD (cannabidiol), which is non-intoxicating. Cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in regulating mood, appetite, and pain sensation. The FDA notes that, aside from one approved CBD drug product and a small number of synthetic cannabinoid medications, it has not approved cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition. Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (fda.gov) and National Institute on Drug Abuse (nida.nih.gov).

Terpenes are aromatic compounds produced by many plants, including cannabis, and they are responsible for the distinct smell and flavor of different strains, such as earthy, citrusy, or piney notes. Common cannabis terpenes include myrcene, limonene, pinene, caryophyllene, and linalool. Some researchers believe terpenes may work alongside cannabinoids to influence a strain’s overall effects, an idea often called the “entourage effect,” though the National Institutes of Health notes that more clinical research is needed and the FDA has not evaluated these claims. Terpenes themselves are non-intoxicating and are also commonly found in fruits, herbs, and other plants outside of cannabis. Source: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (nih.gov).

Yes. Missouri voters approved recreational (adult-use) cannabis for adults 21 and older under Amendment 3 in November 2022, in addition to the state’s existing medical marijuana program approved in 2018. Both programs are overseen by the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation (DCR). Adults 21+ can legally purchase cannabis products from state-licensed dispensaries, while hemp-derived products containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC are federally legal nationwide under the 2018 Farm Bill. Source: Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Division of Cannabis Regulation (health.mo.gov).