To THCA or Not to THCA, That is the Question – DEA Says THCA is Not Legal Under the Farm Bill, Marijuana Industry Doth Protest!

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently explained that the cannabinoid THCA must be included when calculating THC levels to meet the legal definition of hemp, according to the 2018 Farm Bill. In a letter dated May 13, Terrence Boos, the head of the DEA’s drug and chemical evaluation section, clarified that THCA, which turns into delta-9 THC when heated, must be included in THC concentration calculations. This clarification has caused concerns in the hemp industry, which worries about new compliance challenges.