Is THC Legal in Kansas?

What Is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is one of the cannabinoids found in marijuana plants. It is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis plants that induces the “high” feeling experienced after consumption. THC binds to the cannabinoid receptors in the brain and activates the areas responsible for altering some psychological responses in the body.

THC can be found in both hemp and marijuana, but it is more abundant in marijuana than hemp. Per the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp cannot contain more than 0.3% THC content. However, some cannabis strains have up to 30% THC content or more. The low THC concentration in hemp is incapable of getting consumers high, unlike marijuana. THC comes in different forms known as isomers. Notable isomers of THC include:

• Delta-9 THC
• Delta-8 THC
• Delta-10 THC
• Delta-6 THC

Is THC Legal in Kansas?

Hemp-derived THC is legal in Kansas. After the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, Kansas enacted Senate Bill 263 to legalize hemp derivatives containing no more than 0.3% THC concentration. Also, Senate Bill 282 was passed in 2018 to exempt hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) containing 0.3% THC from being defined as marijuana. Marijuana-derived THC is illegal in Kansas.

How Much THC is in Weed?

The potency level of THC in marijuana is higher than in hemp. Under federal laws, hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry-weight basis. Plant materials that surpass the 0.3% THC limit are considered marijuana. THC concentration in marijuana has increased over the years, as reported by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). In the 1960s, marijuana contained between 4% and 5% THC concentration on average. However, the DEA reports that potency tests conducted on seized marijuana seizures in 2021 put the average level of THC in marijuana at 15%.

Today, consumers can get weed strains with different levels of THC potency. Some popular cannabis strains and their THC concentration are listed below:

• Gorilla Glue - 31%
• Strawberry Diesel - 27%
• Blue Dream - 21%
• White widow - 19%
• Wedding Cake - 25%

Weed flowers may also be abundant in other compounds, such as THCA. Consumers can check the THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) level on the weed container’s label. Other THC compounds found in weed, in order of THC abundance, include:

• Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)
• Tetrahydrocannabiorcol (THCC)
• Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP)
• Delta-7 Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Delta-8 Tetrahydrocannabinol
• Delta-10 Tetrahydrocannabinol

Kansas THC Laws 2024

Kansas laws classify marijuana as a Schedule 1 controlled substance. The unlawful possession of any amount of marijuana-derived THC for personal use is a misdemeanor offense in the state.

Hemp-derived THC has been legal in Kansas since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill and Senate Bill 263. Residents can lawfully purchase hemp products containing no more than 0.3% THC at physical stores in the state or online. The use and possession of CBD oils are also lawful in Kansas. CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are not considered as marijuana. CBD oils can be purchased from retail stores in the state and can be ordered online.

What is the Legal Limit for THC While Driving in Kansas?

Kansas has no official legal limit for THC while driving. However, It is an offense for motorists to operate their vehicles under the influence of THC or any other drugs to the extent that they cannot drive safely. Law enforcement officers in Kansas are authorized to conduct drug tests on motorists to determine if they are under the influence of illicit substances.

Driving under the influence of THC in Kansas may result in a DUI charge punishable by incarceration or fines. First-time offenders may serve a jail sentence between 48 hours to six months and pay between $750 and $1,000 in fines. Other penalties for DUI offenses include suspension of driver’s license and use of an ignition interlock device (IID).

Will THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

THC may show up on drug tests, depending on some factors. For instance, the metabolism rate of a person determines how fast THC can leave the body system. THC will also stay longer in the body of frequent users, which makes it more prone to detection by a drug test. Other factors that influence the possibility of THC showing up on a drug test include:

• THC concentration in the product
• The type of drug test conducted
• The body fat of THC users
• When last THC products were consumed

How Long Does THC Stay in the Body?

THC can remain in the body for a long time after the last consumption. When THC products are consumed, the body breaks them down into metabolites. The body removes most of these metabolites, but the process is not immediate. Certain factors also contribute to how long THC remains in the body system, such as the amount of THC consumed. It may take several weeks for THC to leave the body after the last use.

THC is detectable in the body through drug tests. However, the detection window of each drug test may vary. In chronic users of THC products, blood tests can detect THC for up to 30 days after the last use. Blood tests can also detect THC used within 2-12 hours. Urine drug tests have different detection windows, depending on how frequently the user consumes THC products. On average, THC can be detected in the urine as follows:

• Single-use: 3 days
• Moderate use (four times per week): 5 - 7 days
• Frequent use (daily): 10 - 15 days
• Daily use: 30 days or more

THC can also be detected in saliva if consumed orally. Saliva tests can detect THC within 24 hours after the last use in moderate consumers. In chronic consumers, saliva tests can detect THC for up to 72 hours after the last consumption. THC will also show up on a drug test conducted using hair follicles. Hair tests can detect THC for up to 90 days after the last use.

What Is THC Oil?

THC oil is extracted by combining decarboxylated cannabis with carrier oil under heat. THC oil has higher levels of THC content than CBD oil. While CBD oil contains no more than 0.3% THC concentration, THC oil can have up to 70% THC concentration. The high level of THC in THC oil is responsible for the psychoactive effects it exudes on consumers.

THC oil is safe for consumption in different forms. Edible products, like gummies or capsules, can contain THC oil. However, the psychoactive effects caused by consuming large amounts of THC oil can be intense. As a result, users should be mindful of the dosage while consuming products infused with THC oil.

What Is THC Distillate?

THC distillate is a highly purified form of THC oil produced when cannabis plants undergo a distillation process. The process extracts an uncontaminated form of THC from the cannabis plants. THC distillate is more potent than THC oil. Unlike THC oil, THC distillate has no other compounds mixed with the THC cannabinoid extracted from cannabis plants.

THC distillate is also different from CBD distillate. The THC content in CBD distillates is small, while CBD distillates contain a high level of CBD. Due to the high level of THC content, THC distillates produce intense psychoactive effects in consumers that CBD distillates are incapable of. Consumers of CBD distillates will feel a therapeutic feeling instead. THC distillates are safe for consumption, but ingesting a large amount is not advised for new users. THC distillate can be used in vape cartridges, tinctures, or infused in edibles.

Where to Buy THC in Kansas

It is only legal to buy hemp-derived THC in Kansas, as marijuana is illegal. Residents can find local stores that sell hemp-derived THC products in their neighborhoods. Some online THC retail stores also accept orders from consumers and deliver them to local addresses. Kansas has no limit on the amount of legal hemp-based THC products that can be purchased by residents.