Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the cannabinoids (chemical components) found in cannabis and hemp. It is the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis and is responsible for the "high" feeling after using cannabis. In the past, people accessed THC by smoking dried cannabis flowers. But THC is now available in tinctures, oils, capsules, and other forms.
Marijuana contains higher THC levels than hemp. According to Senate Bill 1201, also known as the Adult Use of Cannabis Act, legal hemp in Connecticut may only have a total THC concentration of less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.
THC exists in several forms, or isomers, including the following:
Hemp-derived products with no more than 0.3% THC concentration are legal in Connecticut. However, only authorized cannabis retailers or medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to sell such products. On the adult-use marijuana market in Connecticut, edible cannabis products, including baked goods, gummies, and beverages, are permitted and can only be sold to individuals over the age of 21. All forms of THC products are legal in Connecticut, provided they are formulated from a legally grown hemp plant with a THC content less than 0.3%. In Connecticut, the possession and consumption of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis (containing THC) are legal.
The potency of any cannabis plant is determined by its THC level. Weed THC levels are usually between 0.3% and 4% but some specially bred strains can have THC levels as high as 25% or more. Legal hemp in Connecticut may only have 0.3% THC or less by dry weight. THC levels in marijuana have increased remarkably over the past years, from about 4% to about 15% at present. Over time, THC has noticeably been on the rise. THC levels in the 1960s hovered between 4 and 5%. According to an analysis by the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR), weed samples seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in 2021 had an average of 15.34% THC. The popular weed strains sold at Connecticut dispensaries include the following:
Laws governing the use of THC products were enacted in July 2021 and include the following:
Although the use of THC products is legal in Connecticut, driving under the influence of the drug is illegal. However, there is no legal limit for intoxication while driving. If convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), penalties range from compulsory drug rehabilitation to jail time.
Yes, THC can be detected in drug tests, just like other substances in Connecticut. THC can be detected in urine, blood, and hair samples in drug tests. THC can be found in a person's system based on a number of factors, such as:
After THC is taken in by the body's tissues and organs, like fat molecules, the heart, and the brain, it is quickly broken down and changed into molecules called "metabolites". These metabolites are stored in fat and leave the body slowly via feces and urine. Using drug tests in Connecticut, THC is detectable in the hair for up to 90 days and in the urine for 1–30 days or longer. Additionally, it can be detected for up to 24 hours in the saliva and up to 12 hours in the blood.
THC oil is extracted from the cannabis plant. It is usually made by putting the extracted THC from cannabis plants in carrier oils. Depending on how the oil is extracted, THC oils may sometimes be stronger than regular cannabis flowers. In Connecticut, THC oils can be used in different ways, including in vape pens, cartridges, and dab rigs. It can also be ingested, although sublingual application is preferred. THC oils and CBD oils are differentiated by their main component. THC oils contain high levels of THC and are made from cannabis, while CBD oils are made from hemp. Both CBD and THC oils have therapeutic effects. However THC oils are intoxicating, while CBD oils are not.
THC distillate is a pure form of THC oil. It can be clear, deep yellow, or amber in color. THC distillate is a highly refined form of cannabis oil that is predominantly THC-containing. The cannabis plant undergoes extensive processing to ensure the extraction of THC without other cannabinoids. It can be ingested when mixed with edibles like cookies and gum. The THC distillate can be used in several forms, including:
Delta-8 and delta-9 THC are legal in Connecticut, but they can only be sold by registered dispensaries. THC products aside, delta-8 can be bought online. Delta-8 THC is still illegal in Connecticut. Also, THC-infused edibles cannot be bought online in Connecticut.