Buying Low THC Hemp Seeds & Why It’s Important

Low THC hemp seeds are, perhaps, the most important purchase when starting a CBD hemp farm. Hemp seeds that contain only trace amounts of THC are more likely to remain compliant with local and federal hemp cultivation standards and thus, more likely to turn a profit for American hemp farmers. Not only that, but low THC hemp seeds offer a great way to support the American economy and improve the lives of rural farmers everywhere.

However, it is pertinent that hemp grown in America contain very low THC levels. If a hemp crop is to be profitable, it must maintain its hemp classification throughout the growing and processing cycles. Let’s explain.

The Importance of Buying Low THC Hemp Seeds

Hemp is legal in the United States. Marijuana is not. This is an especially fine line to walk considering that the only distinguishing factor between the two is the plant’s total THC content. To be clear, hemp and marijuana are both variations of the same cannabis plant. However, one is specially bred to produce only trace amounts of THC while the other is often bred to promote it.

Because marijuana and hemp look so similar (obviously; they’re the same basic plant!), domestic hemp cultivation is difficult. Fortunately, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, it is not impossible. In fact, now that hemp CBD is no longer part of the Controlled Substance Act, hemp cultivation – even the kind that produces those large colas that look so similar to marijuana – is totally legal in the United States.

But…

The minute those colas develop more than a .3 percent maximum THC threshold, those plants cease to be “hemp”. From this point forth, these plants adopt the more sinister (and largely illegal) label of “marijuana”. Hemp that converts to marijuana is considered a non-compliant “hot crop” and must be destroyed. What’s worse, “hot” hemp crops do not qualify for farming insurance through the new USDA rules. In other words, not only must farmers destroy hot crops, but they must bear the complete financial loss of the crop, as well.

Low THC Seeds Improve Compliance

Growing low THC hemp seeds reduces the likelihood that they will test hot come harvest time. This is especially important given the extreme financial burden hot hemp crops place on farmers. Rather than profiting some $50,000 per acre in some cases, farmers with non-compliant hot crops must eat the entire loss with no current options for repurposing the harvest. According to one Quora user, that amounts to an additional investment loss of about $3000-$7500 per acre of CBD hemp! It hardly makes the risk of planting non-compliant hemp seeds seem worth it.

Additionally, feminized hemp seeds low in THC still produce plenty of CBD. Breeders develop these seeds especially for their low the/high CBD content and require the same growing conditions as other forms of cannabis. As such, they also follow the same growing patterns from seedling through harvest and require special treatment throughout each grow cycle. When properly tended to, low THC / high CBD hemp seeds can produce as much as 18 percent cannabidiol by dry weight, though the average for most quality CBD strains is about 10 percent.

Finally, all quality hemp seeds should accompany a Certificate of Analysis, or COA, which outlines the expected cannabinoid content. This is the best way to ensure that CBD hemp seeds will produce minute amounts of THC thus maintaining compliance while promoting optimal CBD production.

Final Thoughts

Purchasing low THC hemp seeds is the first and most important part of running a successful CBD hemp farm. Failure to purchase compliant CBD hemp seeds can result in financial disaster for farmers who must carry the total financial burden of a hot crop lest more serious consequences ensue.

To learn more about how to grow a compliant hemp crop from low THC hemp seeds, contact the Fortuna team. We’d love to set you on the path to success in the hemp farming industry.