One of the leading names in hemp shows how their products stack up to the competition.
The Hemp Doctor has been at the head of the hemp industry for over a decade, and the only thing that’s stayed the same in this rapidly evolving field is The Hemp Doctor’s dedication to the wellness-enhancing power of hemp cannabinoids.
The rise of THCA is just the latest in a long series of game-changers that the team at The Hemp Doctor has adapted to, time and again proving themselves as one of the leading lights of the industry and a peerless provider of top-quality hemp products.
The Hemp Doctor’s new lineup of psychoactive hemp-based THCA flower, edibles, beverages, and concentrates joins the brand’s already impressive storefront, which features all sorts of hemp cannabinoid products.
They’ve got something for everyone, pets included, and their new THCA selection offers their customers a chance to experience the psychoactive cannabinoid for themselves, with The Hemp Doctor’s trademark quality. All of their products are rigorously tested before they make it to their customers, a fact that has earned them a sterling reputation among consumers and industry professionals alike.
The rise of THCA of the sort that you’ll find on The Hemp Doctor’s storefront brings some simmering questions on the state of the industry to the fore, leaving the average consumer confused and unsure. What exactly is the difference between hemp and cannabis? What’s legal where? How did this perplexing situation even happen?
Don’t sweat it, readers—the doctor is in. We’ve got a breakdown of the current state of the industry from the expert POV of The Hemp Doctor’s CEO, Robert Shade, covering THCA, hemp, cannabis, and the differences (or lack thereof) between the two. Read on for an FAQ that’ll equip you with everything you need to know about the quickly shifting industries, or click below to shop The Hemp Doctor’s THCA and do a little hands-on research.
A tale of two industries
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
Before we dive deep into the state of the hemp and cannabis industries, let’s make sure we’re on the same page about terms. The hemp industry offers federally legal hemp-derived products that can be sold directly to consumers and shipped to many states; alternatively, the cannabis industry operates in a patchwork of state legalization programs while remaining federally illegal.
Scientifically, there’s very little difference between the plant we call hemp and the plant called cannabis, marijuana, or a slang term like weed, pot, etc. At Leafly, we prefer the term cannabis because of the complicated history of the word marijuana, so even though, on a scientific and chemical level, hemp is cannabis, we will refer to the “hemp” and “cannabis” industries as separate entities.
If that situation seems a bit contradictory to you, you aren’t alone. This situation has led to conflict and confusion for years, and The Hemp Doctor team, including CEO Robert Shade, has been an eyewitness to the evolution that got us here. You’d be hard pressed to find a better industry veteran to break down the situation, and the Hemp Doctor team was good enough to share Shade’s perspective with us. Take a look!
The following is an excerpt from Robert Shade’s expert POV
What’s the difference between the hemp and cannabis industries?
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
The difference is not scientific but legal and economic. The 2018 Farm Bill, aka the Agriculture Improvement Act, defined hemp as cannabis that is less than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. The Farm Bill legalized the cultivation and production of hemp nationwide, while keeping any cannabis that is over that 0.3% limit federally illegal.
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This difference in legal status has led to a vast divide between the two halves of the industry. Cannabis providers are heavily taxed and subject to strict regulatory guidelines. Meanwhile, the hemp industry is flourishing in a grey market where they are able to sell psychoactive cannabinoids outside the dispensary system.
This has led to a genuine rivalry between the two camps, with real economic stakes on the line. The heart of the disagreement focuses on whether psychoactive hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC, or THCA should be able to be sold in the same market as state-licensed cannabis products.
How did hemp-derived THC rise to prominence?
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
Before the 2018 Farm Bill, many companies in the hemp industry, such as The Hemp Doctor, primarily focused on offering non-psychoactive CBD. However, after the bill was passed, the hemp industry discovered a few psychoactive cannabinoids that could be sold directly to consumers, which qualified under the definition of hemp. This discovery allowed them to circumvent many prohibitions that brands in the cannabis industry must abide by.
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These discoveries allowed for the creation and popularization of products that feature delta-8, THCA, and other psychoactive cannabinoids that mimic the effects of cannabinoids found in traditional cannabis products. These innovations in turn led to an explosion of brands in the hemp industry, grossing nearly $28 billion in 2022, while the cannabis industry took in only $26 billion during the same time period.
How did the cannabis industry respond?
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
In April of 2024, the United States Cannabis Council (USCC), a lobbying group representing the cannabis industry, including large multi-state operators, urged lawmakers to shift the regulations that allow the hemp industry to thrive. The crux of their argument comes in four parts:
The hemp industry has a negative economic impact on the cannabis industry due to an unfairly light tax burden.
Some brands in the hemp industry take advantage of the legal environment to avoid regulatory requirements in licensing, packaging, labeling, and testing.
Many brands in the hemp industry synthetically produce psychoactive cannabinoids by chemically transforming hemp-derived CBD isolate, rather than harvesting the cannabinoids from large quantities of hemp flower.
Consumers do not fully understand the difference between the two sides of the industry, and may be purchasing hemp believing it is cannabis.
What is the hemp industry’s defense?
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
The hemp industry responds to these claims by the USCC, and by proxy, the cannabis industry generally, by charging that these sorts of responses are indicative of nothing besides the cannabis industry’s desire to eliminate competition. The fact remains that the 2018 Farm Bill has federally legalized hemp cultivation, and the providers believe in their legal right to produce and sell hemp and its derivatives.
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Hemp products are also highly in demand from consumers, especially those in states where cannabis remains illegal. The hemp industry claims that it offers a legal, accessible alternative to black market cannabis producers.
They argue that instead of an outright ban on hemp cannabinoids like that which the cannabis industry proposes, the hemp industry merely needs a better regulatory framework to ensure mandatory lab testing and proper labeling. This argument is buoyed by brands like The Hemp Doctor, which already offer laudable transparency and reliability to their consumers.
Where do the hemp and cannabis industries go from here?
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
The hemp industry and its cousins on the legal cannabis side of the divide have been at loggerheads for years now, with no real end to the conflict in sight. Questions about innovation, distribution, and regulation all bring the differing perspectives of the two halves of the industry into sharp relief, while long-term problems persist.
This air of uncertainty regarding the future of both industries has a cooling effect on business and investment, slowing what could be a more dynamic environment. The hemp industry faces concerns about the safety of their product in the lax regulatory atmosphere. Large corporate interests are able to leverage their size to lobby for favorable regulations, which leaves smaller, independent companies out of the conversation.
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Will hemp survive the new Farm Bill?
Finally, and unfortunately, the illicit market continues to persist, and even thrive, in this complicated environment. A study performed by BMC Public Health has shown that customers are motivated by price above all other concerns when it comes to buying cannabis. Heavy tax burdens and byzantine regulations often drive up the cost of legitimate hemp and cannabis, driving consumers into the black market and keeping the illicit sector afloat.
Image courtesy of The Hemp Doctor.
Unified federal legalization could help remedy this situation, leading to an increase in parity between the two industries. Testing, labelling, and potency standards could all be standardized, leading to a more cohesive marketplace that allows both markets to thrive. This could also reduce costs, taking a bite out of the illicit market and leading to a better, safer, more equal market for all.
The future of both hemp and cannabis remains uncertain. Innovation, regulation, and consumer demand will decide if the two sides of the industry will be able to bridge their divide, or if escalating free market tensions will drive further conflict. For now, only one thing is certain. Legalization of cannabis didn’t end the war over the plant—it just created new battles.
No matter what shape the hemp and cannabis industries take in the future, Robert Shade and the rest of The Hemp Doctor team will be there, bringing their expert knowledge and famous dedication to their consumers.
Their rigorous quality control makes them a virtually peerless choice to experiment with hemp THCA, delta-9 THC, CBD, or any other hemp-derived cannabinoid you might be curious about. There’s something for everyone among The Hemp Doctor’s extensive lineup of products, so if you’re a complete newbie, a true hemp head, or a cannabis loyalist with an interest in seeing what hemp has to offer, you owe it to yourself to give them a try.
Click the link below and find your ideal product from The Hemp Doctor and discover the power of hemp.
Still curious about the state of the hemp and cannabis industries? You can head to The Hemp Doctor’s website, or follow them on Facebook, X, or Instagram to read more and stay updated about the changing field.
Availability subject to law. Leafly novel cannabinoid disclaimer: Use and possession may be restricted by law. This product may expose you to harmful chemical byproducts.
