Is Delta-8 THC Legal in Rhode Island?

No, Delta-8 is ILLEGAL in Rhode Island

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What is Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC is a type of cannabinoid found in cannabis plants that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, making it an alternative for people who are allergic or sensitive towards traditional painkillers. But before you try this chemical substance with no understanding what the side effects may be like, make sure you know exactly what delta-8 THC really means and how it might affect your health!

What is the Difference Between CBD and Delta-8 THC?

You may want to know the difference between delta-8, delta-9, and CBD. Delta-8 isn't as potent or intoxicating like delta-9 THC found in marijuana but it still has an effect on your body when consumed. On the contrary though is CBD which doesn’t have any type of high feeling associated at all due to being non-psychoactive.

How is Delta-8 THC Related to Cannabis and Hemp? 

There are many different types of cannabis, but the main difference is in concentration. The three species that comprise it- Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis each have their own unique varieties with varying potencies depending on how much THC or CBD they contain.

The Farm Bill has officially legalized hemp-derived products containing small amounts of THC. As such, there was a legal loophole created when it comes to delta-8 THC. This means that these new drugs are now available in most states, even if marijuana is still illegal; however many states have begun creating frameworks and regulations for the legality of this specific type of drug.

Why did Rhode Island Ban Delta-8 THC?

The answer is a bit complicated, but it boils down to the psychoactive compounds of cannabis being illegal in others and competition for fledgling marijuana businesses. Until there's an official regulatory framework governing these products altogether, many other states will continue their ban on it as well.

The Farm Bill has officially legalized hemp-derived products containing small amounts of THC. As such, there was a legal loophole created when it comes to delta-8 THC. This means that delta-8 THC products are now available to consumers in most states, even if marijuana is still illegal. However, many states are beginning to create a legislative and regulatory framework to address the legality of delta-8 specifically. 

As of 5/2021, delta-8 THC is ILLEGAL in Rhode Island under ARTICLE 20 CHAPTER 2-26 – HEMP GROWTH ACT

The law reads as follows:

2-26-3. Definitions

(2) “Cannabis” means all parts of the plant of the genus marijuana, also known as marijuana sativa L, whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds, or resin regardless of cannabinoid content or cannabinoid potency including “marijuana” and “industrial hemp” or “industrial hemp products” which satisfy the requirements of this chapter.

(3) “Cannabidiol” or “CBD” means cannabidiol (CBD) derived from a hemp plant as defined in §2-26-3(8), not including products derived from exempt cannabis plant material as defined in 21 C.F.R. §1308.35.

(8) “Hemp” or “industrial hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight or per volume basis regardless of moisture content, and which satisfies the requirements of this chapter.

(9) “Hemp-derived consumable CBD product” means any product meant for ingestion, including but not limited to concentrates, extracts, and cannabis-infused foods and products, which contains cannabidiol derived from a hemp plant as defined in § 2-26-3(8), which shall only be sold to persons age twenty-one (21) or older, and which shall not include products derived from exempt cannabis plant material as defined in 21 C.F.R. §1308.35.

(10) “Hemp products” or “industrial hemp products” means all products made from the plants, including, but not limited to, concentrated oil, cloth, cordage, fiber, food, fuel, hemp-derived consumable CBD products, paint, paper, construction materials, plastics, seed, seed meal, seed oil, and seed certified for cultivation., which satisfy the requirements of this chapter.

(13) “THC” means tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis.

SECTION 3. SECTION 21-28-1.02 OF CHAPTER 21-28 OF THE GENERAL LAWS ENTITLED “UNIFORM CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT” IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:

§ 21-28-1.02. Definitions. [Effective until January 1, 2023.]

(30) “Marijuana” means all parts of the plant cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds of the plant; the resin extracted from any part of the plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin, but shall not include the mature stalks of the plant, fiber produced from the stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of the plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of mature stalks, (except the resin extracted from it), fiber, oil or cake, or the sterilized seed from the plant which is incapable of germination. Marijuana shall not include “industrial hemp” or” industrial hemp products” which satisfy the requirements of chapter 2-26 of the general laws and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

With additional information addressed in TITLE 21 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS:

§1308.11 Schedule I

(d) Hallucinogenic substances.

(23) Marihuana

(31) Tetrahydrocannabinols

Meaning tetrahydrocannabinols naturally contained in a plant of the genus Cannabis (cannabis plant), as well as synthetic equivalents of the substances contained in the cannabis plant, or in the resinous extractives of such plant, and/or synthetic substances, derivatives, and their isomers with similar chemical structure and pharmacological activity to those substances contained in the plant, such as the following:

1 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers

6 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and their optical isomers

3,4 cis or trans tetrahydrocannabinol, and its optical isomers

With additional information addressed as follows:

§1308.35

Exemption of certain cannabis plant material, and products made therefrom, that contain tetrahydrocannabinols.

(a) Any processed plant material or animal feed mixture containing any amount of tetrahydrocannabinols (THC) that is both:

(1) Made from any portion of a plant of the genus Cannabis excluded from the definition of marijuana under the Act [i.e., the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination] and

(2) Not used, or intended for use, for human consumption, has been exempted by the Administrator from the application of the Act and this chapter.

(b) As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings specified:

(1) The term processed plant material means cannabis plant material that has been subject to industrial processes, or mixed with other ingredients, such that it cannot readily be converted into any form that can be used for human consumption.

(2) The term animal feed mixture means sterilized cannabis seeds mixed with other ingredients (not derived from the cannabis plant) in a formulation that is designed, marketed, and distributed for animal consumption (and not for human consumption).

(3) The term used for human consumption means either:

(i) Ingested orally or (ii) Applied by any means such that THC enters the human body.

(4) The term intended for use for human consumption means any of the following:

(i) Designed by the manufacturer for human consumption; (ii) Marketed for human consumption; or (iii) Distributed, exported, or imported, with the intent that it be used for human consumption.

(c) In any proceeding arising under the Act or this chapter, the burden of going forward with the evidence that a material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing THC is exempt from control pursuant to this section shall be upon the person claiming such exemption, as set forth in section 515(a)(1) of the Act (21 U.S.C. 885(a)(1)). In order to meet this burden with respect to a product or plant material that has not been expressly exempted from control by the Administrator pursuant to Sec. 1308.23, the person claiming the exemption must present rigorous scientific evidence, including well-documented scientific studies by experts trained and qualified to evaluate the effects of drugs on humans.

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