The Truth About Hemp: 7 Myths You Need to Know
February 14, 2025
As a pharmacist of 44 years, owner of LabNaturalsCBD, and a hemp expert since 2015 I felt I needed to clear the confusion surrounding hemp and cannabis. Many people come into my pharmacy/apothecary asking if I am a medical marijuana dispensary. Our LabNaturalsCBD products have 0.0% THC in them and we do not carry Delta 8 or Delta 9 products as you will understand as you read about the 7 biggest myths about hemp and what you need to know to stay informed.
The conversation around hemp and cannabis has become increasingly confusing. For decades, hemp was known as a non-intoxicating crop used for fiber, textiles, and seed oil, while cannabis was associated with its psychoactive effects. However, today’s hemp market is blurring these lines. Many so-called hemp products now contain significant amounts of THC, the compound responsible for the “high” in marijuana.
Myth #1: “0.3% THC means no “HIGH””
A common belief is that products containing 0.3% THC cannot get you high. But when it comes to edibles and beverages, that simply isn’t true.
THC is measured in milligrams, not percentages. For example, a 12-ounce beverage with 0.3% THC can contain over 1,000 mg of THC, which is far beyond an intoxicating dose¹. Even a single “hemp” gummy could have 20 mg of THC, double the legal serving size for cannabis edibles in states like California.
This misconception leads many consumers to unknowingly consume potent THC doses, expecting little to no effect.
THC can be dangerous to animals and should be avoided.
For more information about the benefits of CBD products for animals, please read HERE. Shop for pharmacist-recommended CBD supplements: Viddlez Chewables and CBD 250mg Oil.
Myth #2: “5 mg of THC per serving won’t get you high”
In 2023, the U.S. Hemp Roundtable claimed that 5 mg of THC per serving is below the level that causes impairment²—but science says otherwise.
THC affects people differently based on genetics, metabolism, tolerance, and other factors. When ingested, THC is processed by the liver into 11-Hydroxy-THC, a compound that is even more psychoactive than THC itself³.
For many people, a 5 mg THC gummy will cause noticeable intoxication. Some individuals even experience psychoactive effects from doses as low as 2 mg.
Myth #3: “Delta-8 THC is milder and safer than Delta-9 THC”
Delta-8 THC is often marketed as a gentler alternative to traditional THC (delta-9), but this claim is misleading.
While delta-8 THC has slightly lower potency, people often consume higher doses to compensate, resulting in effects similar to delta-9 THC. Plus, many delta-8 products are made using chemical conversions that can leave behind toxic residues, making them riskier than naturally occurring cannabis extracts.
In reality, delta-8 THC is not a “light” version of THC—it can still get you high, and the safety of these products is questionable.
Myth #4: “THC per serving is what matters, not the total THC in a product”
Regulators often focus on the THC per serving in hemp edibles, but that ignores a key issue: people rarely stop at one serving.
Think about a bag of potato chips—the “recommended serving size” might be just 10 chips, but who eats just 10? The same goes for THC-infused edibles. A package labeled as “low-dose” may contain dozens of servings, making it easy to consume dangerously high amounts of THC.
For example, if a hemp gummy package contains 50 mg of THC total, someone eating the whole pack would consume five times the legal dose of cannabis edibles in states with regulated markets.
Myth #5: “CBD cancels out THC’s High”
A widely spread myth suggests that CBD can neutralize the intoxicating effects of THC—but scientific studies prove otherwise.
A study published in Neuropsychopharmacology tested various CBD-to-THC ratios and found that CBD did not significantly reduce THC’s psychoactive effects⁴,⁵. In fact, some research suggests that CBD can actually enhance and prolong THC’s high⁶.
The idea that CBD makes high-THC products safer is simply false.
Myth #6: “Lab-made THC and Natural THC are the same”
Many hemp products today contain synthetic cannabinoids, which are lab-created versions of THC. These are often marketed as being identical to natural THC, but that’s not entirely true.
Lab-made cannabinoids can contain harmful byproducts from chemical conversion processes, including toxic solvent residues⁷,⁸. Some of these synthetic compounds are far more potent than natural THC—for example, THC-B has 30-40 times the binding power of regular THC⁹.
One study found that when THC-O-acetate is vaped, it releases ketene gas, a substance that can be lethal at high concentrations¹⁰,¹¹. Synthetic cannabinoids have also been linked to severe health issues, including lung damage, seizures, and even heart attacks¹².
Simply put, lab-made THC is not the same as natural THC—and it comes with risks.
Myth #7: “THCA-Rich flower is legal Hemp”
One of the most deceptive claims in the industry is that high-THCA flower is legal hemp.
THCA is the precursor to THC. In its raw form, it isn’t psychoactive—but when heated (through smoking, vaping, or baking), it converts into THC. This means that THCA flower is essentially just marijuana under a different name.
Regulators recognize this loophole, which is why the USDA classifies high-THCA flower as marijuana, not hemp¹³. Any claim that THCA-rich cannabis is federally legal is misleading at best, and outright false at worst.
Final Thoughts
The hemp industry is full of misleading claims, many of which blur the line between hemp and marijuana. As a consumer, it’s crucial to understand what you’re actually buying—especially when it comes to products marketed as “non-intoxicating hemp”.
When in doubt, read the fine print, check lab reports, and question too-good-to-be-true claims.
Please check our 3rd party Independent Testing Results.
SHOP ONLINE 24/7 at www.LabNaturalsCBD.com
References:
1. Assumes a typical gummy weighs about 5.8 grams, and a 12-ounce beverage weighs about 340 grams.
2. U.S. Hemp Roundtable’s Response to Congressional RFI
3. Huestis, M.A. (2005). Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of the Plant Cannabinoids, Δ9-Tetrahydrocannibinol, Cannabidiol and Cannabinol. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-26573-2_23
4-5. Neuropsychopharmacology Study on CBD and THC
4. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci Study on THC and CBD
7-8. Studies on Synthetic Cannabinoid Impurities
5. Expert Analysis on Synthetic THC
10-11. Study on Ketene Gas in Vape Products
6. Health Risks of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Adapted from Project CBD by Tiffany Devitt, used with permission 2025