California's cannabis industry has long struggled with contamination issues. A report published by the Los Angeles Times last summer revealed that a high percentage of legal cannabis products in dispensaries contained contaminants. At the same time, the state has been attempting to implement stricter regulations on the hemp industry. However, a recent report by The Great Hemp Hoax highlights the urgent need for further reforms.
The rise of synthetic cannabinoids in California's hemp market
A study examining the composition and potency of hemp products in California found alarming levels of chemically synthesized cannabinoids in consumer products. Researchers analyzed 104 products from 68 brands and discovered that 95 percent contained synthetic cannabinoids, despite their prohibition under California law. These compounds, often far more potent than naturally occurring THC, pose serious consumer safety risks, the report claims.
More than half of the tested products exceeded the federal 0.3 percent THC limit, legally classifying them as cannabis rather than hemp. Under California's stricter "Total THC" definition, 88 percent of the products failed to meet state hemp standards. Additionally, many products dramatically surpassed potency limits imposed on the state's regulated cannabis industry. Some "hemp-derived" gummies contained up to 325 milligrams of THC per serving — more than 32 times the legal 10-milligram cap in California's cannabis market. On average, "hemp" vape products contained THC equivalency levels 268 percent above the threshold for adult-use cannabis.
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Dangerous potency and hidden risks
The report shows that nearly half of the tested products contained THCP, a compound up to 30 times stronger than delta-9 THC. This raises serious concerns about over-intoxication and potential adverse health effects, including strokes, seizures, and psychosis.
Some products went even further in compounding health risks. The report claims that Cheech & Chong's Kosmic Chews, for instance, contained kratom, an addictive, opiate-like herb, while other products included hallucinogenic mushrooms. These unregulated combinations pose unpredictable dangers to consumers.
The economic and legal consequences
The reliance on synthetic cannabinoids in "hemp" products is not incidental — it is necessary, the report says. "Extracting delta-8 or delta-9 THC naturally from hemp is both inefficient and cost-prohibitive. Producing a single 2-gram vape cartridge of natural delta-8 THC would require approximately 19 pounds of hemp biomass, while extracting delta-9 THC from hemp requires 50 times more plant material than cannabis. As a result, most so-called "hemp-derived" THC products are synthetic, closely resembling the illicit "Spice" products that plagued California a decade ago."
Beyond the health risks, the absence of regulatory oversight enables widespread tax evasion. According to the report, a shocking 91 percent of the analyzed products were sold without collecting California's required sales taxes, and none of the vendors paid the state's cannabis excise tax, despite legal obligations to do so. "This lack of enforcement allows unregulated hemp products to undercut the legal cannabis market while depriving the state of crucial revenue for public health, environmental protections, and law enforcement."
The need for stronger regulations
As a solution, the report states that to restore order to the market and protect consumers, all THC-containing products should be regulated under California's existing cannabis framework. This would ensure consumer safety, enforce tax compliance, and uphold the intent of the state's cannabis laws.
"When the hemp industry advocated for AB 45 in 2021, they framed it as a law for "rope, not dope," claiming the focus was on CBD wellness products rather than intoxicants. However, the industry's rapid evolution has shattered this narrative. Today's "hemp" market is not about wellness — it is about selling synthetic cannabis under a different name."
According to the report, proponents of the hemp industry are lobbying to overturn California's emergency regulations banning THC and synthetics in hemp products. "They argue for exceptions for "full-spectrum" wellness products with "a touch of therapeutic THC" or "low-dose" THC beverages. But given the industry's track record, such claims demand deep skepticism. The unregulated hemp market presents a far greater risk to public health than California's regulated cannabis industry."
Why the regulated cannabis market matters
While the hemp market remains chaotic, California's cannabis regulations provide essential consumer protections. The state's framework ensures accountability at every stage, from tracking cannabinoid inputs and outputs to transparency regarding production locations and manufacturing processes. With mechanisms for instant recalls, rigorous third-party testing, strict lab oversight, and a comprehensive seed-to-sale tracking system, California's regulations ensure that only safe, accurately labeled products reach consumers.
"The regulated cannabis system also provides vital protections absent in the hemp market. These include tax compliance, medical oversight for high-dose products, clear packaging and labeling standards, robust age restrictions, and sensible THC caps. The accountability within this system fosters consumer and community trust, something entirely lacking in the unregulated hemp market," the report says.
"Beyond public health, California's cannabis industry supports strong labor protections and well-paying union jobs. In contrast, many hemp companies manufacture their products out of state or import inputs from China, bypassing labor standards, evading state and local taxes, and contributing nothing to California's economy."
The regulated cannabis market is not just a business, it is a critical safeguard for public health. "This system to ensure transparency, safety, and accountability. Allowing counterfeit THC products to masquerade as "hemp" undermines that framework. Keeping all THC products within California's cannabis regulations is not just good policy, it is essential for public health and consumer trust," the report concludes.
Source: The Great Hemp Hoax