Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the most popular cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. It occurs naturally and is found in both hemp and marijuana. However, legal hemp cannot have more than 0.3% THC, while the THC level in marijuana can be as high as 35%. Delta-9 THC is often referred to as THC, though there are other popular isomers of THC. THC interacts with users’ endocannabinoid system (ECS) to induce intoxicating effects. Popular isomers of THC include Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, Delta-10 THC, Delta-7 THCf, and Exo-THC.
Marijuana-derived THC is illegal in Wyoming. Marijuana is considered a Schedule I substance in Wyoming, and it is illegal for both medical and recreational uses. Wyoming severely punishes the possession of marijuana and marijuana derivatives, including marijuana-derived THC products, in the state. However, hemp-derived THC is legal in Wyoming. Hemp-derived Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC products are readily available in the state, provided their Delta-9 THC concentrations do not exceed 0.3%. There are no limits to the amount of hemp-derived THC products that Wyoming residents can purchase.
The THC content in Cannabis sativa plants varies. Industrial hemp may contain no more than 0.3% THC, while some marijuana strains can have up to 35% THC. A study carried out by the National Center for Biotechnology Information on THC concentration in the 1960s found that marijuana had around 2% THC concentration. THC concentration increased to about 4% in the 1990s. This was partly due to improved cannabis testing technology and advanced marijuana production capacities. A report published by the National Center for Natural Products Research (NCNPR) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) on marijuana potency revealed that average THC potency had increased from 3.96% in 1995 to 15.34% in 2021. The report was based on tests conducted on samples of marijuana seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). THC concentration in marijuana varies from one cannabis strain to another. Popular cannabis strains and their THC potency include the following:
Cannabis potency is determined by its THC concentration. The more the THC concentration, the more potent the marijuana strain. The part of the cannabis plant can also determine the potency of weed. Marijuana flowers and buds typically have the highest THC content. In addition, THC distillates and cannabis concentrates have high THC contents, sometimes exceeding 90%.
Cannabis product manufacturers are required to indicate THC concentration levels on the labels of marijuana products. The labels must indicate the concentration levels of THC, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabidiol acid CBDA). THCA is converted to THC during decarboxylation, and they have different concentration levels. The THCA content is the potency of cannabis products when purchased, while the THC level is the total THC content when heated.
The THC compounds found in weed in decreasing order of abundance are as follows:
Marijuana and marijuana products, including marijuana-derived THC products, are illegal in Wyoming. Marijuana is a Schedule I substance in the Wyoming Controlled Substances Act of 1971. Hence, the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and possession of marijuana-derived THC is prohibited in Wyoming. Hemp-derived THC is legal in the state. Wyoming enacted House Bill 230 (HB 230) in 2017, allowing the cultivation and processing of hemp in the state. However, the bill did not remove hemp from the list of controlled substances.
Following the passage of the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (2018 Farm Bill) at the federal level, Wyoming passed House Bill 0171 in 2019 to conform the state hemp law with the federal law. HB 0171 removed industrial hemp from the Wyoming controlled substances list. Consequently, hemp-derived THC products are allowed in the state and can be readily purchased from local stores. All forms of hemp-derived THC products, including gummies, oils, vape cartridges, tinctures, and edibles, are legal in Wyoming.
All THC products with more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC regardless of their sources, are illegal in Wyoming. Wyoming considers hemp-derived THC products as low-THC products and cannabis-derived THC products as high-THC products. Although hemp is no longer a controlled substance in Wyoming, it is still illegal to drive a vehicle while intoxicated with hemp-derived THC in Wyoming. Driving under the influence of any substance, including hemp-derived THC products, is punishable with up to 6 months imprisonment and a $750 fine for first-time offenders.
THC can be detected by drug tests in Wyoming. Common drug tests that can detect THC include blood tests, urine tests, saliva tests, and hair follicles tests. However, the possibility of detection depends on some factors, including the following:
The intoxicating effects of THC can last up to 6 hours, but its metabolites can remain detectable in the body for several weeks and months after the last use. When THC is consumed, it is transported to the liver, where it is broken down into metabolites. The liver sends the metabolites to different parts of the body, including the brain. The metabolites bind with cannabinoid receptors to induce psychoactive effects. Most THC metabolites are eliminated from the body within 48 hours, but some remnants are stored in the body’s fatty tissues, where they can be detected by certain drug tests.
THC metabolites can be detected in urine and blood samples for up to 48 hours after the last use. They can be detected in saliva for up to 30 days after the last use and in hair follicles for up to 90 days after it was last consumed.
THC oil is an oil-based extract from the cannabis plant with a high level of THC. It is made when hashish or marijuana is percolated, infused, or macerated to leave a viscous liquid remnant after evaporation. It is extracted with non-solvent CO2 extraction or solvent-based extraction using ethanol or butane. THC oil is safe to consume, and it induces psychoactive effects in users. THC oil is sold in vape carts, pens, and as edibles. It is different from CBD oil. While THC oil is derived from cannabis, CBD oil is derived from industrial hemp. THC oil is illegal in Wyoming.
Tetrahydrocannabinol distillate is a highly concentrated form of THC derived from cannabis containing only THC molecules. It is a pure form of THC devoid of other chemical compounds. It is made by heating (vaporizing) THC oil or cannabis extract to form a clear distillate of thick oil. THC distillate and CBD distillate are different. While THC distillate is derived from marijuana plants and is illegal in Wyoming, CBD distillate is derived from hemp plants and is legal in the state.
THC distillate has a very high level of THC, often exceeding 90%. It induces faster psychoactive effects in consumers than any other form of THC. It is safe to consume but should be consumed moderately due to its high potency. It can be vaped, dabbed, applied topically, or consumed orally.
Marijuana-derived THC is illegal in Wyoming and cannot be lawfully purchased in the state. The possession and purchase of Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC products sourced from marijuana are prohibited in Wyoming. However, Wyoming residents can purchase hemp-derived Delta-8 THC, Delta-9 THC, and Delta-10 THC products from local stores, hemp shops, gas stations, and from online stores in the state. Hemp-derived THC products are available as gummies, creams, edibles, oils, vape carts, and tinctures in Wyoming.