Hey, people of Oregon! Sadly, Delta-8 is currently illegal in Oregon. However, it’s legal at the federal level because of the Farm Bill- 2018. A new set of legislation has been amended in this state that classifies what is illegal. Cannabinoids that have chemical modifications and have an intoxication effect are not legal in Oregon. You must think about what the term “chemically modified” means, right? So, let’s look into detailed Oregon laws and why delta-8 THC is not legal in Oregon.
Is Delta-8 THC Legal In Oregon?
No, Delta-8 THC is not legal in Oregon.
When Governor Kate Brown signed House Bill 3000 into law, Oregon became the latest state with laws against delta-8 THC. Delta-8 is a euphoric cannabinoid with production commonly from legal CBD.
In the Farm Bill, hemp is extensively defined as the whole Sativa plant and its derivatives, essence, and chemical substances. But ONLY so long as the concentration of Delta-9 is below 0.3% based on dry-weight. Notably absent from the legislation is any acknowledgment of Delta-8 THC. Due to this omission, some states have argued that delta-8 should be classified as an illegal drug. Why? Sometimes, delta-8 THC is lab-made rather than growing naturally on the plant.
Several states still have not taken a stance on the legalization of delta-8. Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the lab-made cannabis products that are now subject to regulation in many jurisdictions, including Oregon.
While Delta-8 was regulated with the newly defined laws in Oregon in 2021, according to their definition under the law, they outlawed Delta-8 products on July 1, 2022. Under this new law, any substance whose chemical structure is different from a molecule originally from the cannabis plant, including hemp, is illegal. Delta-8 THC is a good match because it’s often from CBD, and CBD extraction is typically from hemp.
So, no retailer in Oregon, not even convenience stores, may legally sell synthesized cannabinoids. This includes psychoactive chemicals like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-O) and delta-8 and non-psychoactive substances, including cannabinol (CBN).
Delta 8 Future In Oregon
The state of Oregon prohibits the use of delta 8, along with other synthetic cannabinoids, including THC-O, CBN, and Delta-8. But, there is hope that this may change. Starting in 2023, edibles from hemp might be legal for sale at state-authorized marijuana dispensaries if they acquire GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) certificate from FDA.
But the FDA has only approved one hemp-generated product, Epidiolex, a drug used for treating epileptic seizures.
To avoid getting into any trouble with the law because of D8, it would be best to avoid carrying any Delta-8 product. However, we advise making your voice heard at the local and state level if you wish to make Delta-8 legal in Oregon.
Got any questions? Feel free to drop a comment below!
Learn more about Delta-8 THC here.