Are My THC Gummies Going Away? - Science Friday Recap

Podcast: Science Friday

Published: 2026-02-24

Duration: 19 minutes

Guests: Dr. Cinnamon Bidwell

Summary

A legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp-derived THC products to be sold over the counter, but upcoming state and federal laws aim to close this loophole, potentially affecting the CBD business.

What Happened

The episode begins with Flora Lichtman discussing the confusion surrounding hemp-derived THC products available in places like gas stations. A legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill has allowed these products to be sold, despite containing THC levels that could get consumers high. Dr. Cinnamon Bidwell, a cannabis expert from the University of Colorado, joins to explain how the Farm Bill differentiates between hemp and other cannabis based on THC content, despite both coming from the same plant species.

Dr. Bidwell clarifies that while hemp is legally defined as cannabis with low THC, the process of extracting THC from hemp has led to unregulated products that can be intoxicating. These products lack the stringent testing required for dispensary-sold THC products, leading to concerns about safety and dosage accuracy. The upcoming federal law in November seeks to close this loophole, aiming to prevent these hemp-derived THC products from being sold without regulation.

The conversation highlights the confusion and risks posed by current patchwork legislation, which varies from state to state. Dr. Bidwell emphasizes that comprehensive regulation would better address the risks while allowing safe products that might help people to remain available. She questions why regulations focus on botany rather than the actual chemicals being regulated.

Different forms of THC, such as Delta-9, Delta-8, and THC-V, are discussed, with Dr. Bidwell noting that while Delta-9 is well-known for its psychoactive effects, the risks of other forms are still being researched. The current regulations have allowed these forms to escape scrutiny, raising concerns about potential psychoactive properties.

Dr. Bidwell expresses concern about the impact of restrictive laws on cannabis research, which is crucial for understanding the public health implications of cannabis use. She argues for science-based policies to facilitate research that could lead to therapeutic applications and better consumer guidance.

After the break, Joe Hong from WNYC and Gothamist discusses his investigation into the contents of New York City's dirty snowbanks. By testing snow from different neighborhoods, he found high levels of metals like lead and chromium, as well as fecal bacteria, reflecting the city's environmental issues. The findings suggest that these snowbanks reveal broader urban pollution problems.

Key Insights

• A legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp-derived THC products to be sold in unregulated places like gas stations, despite containing intoxicating levels of THC. This has led to safety concerns due to the lack of testing for dosage accuracy, unlike dispensary-sold THC products.
• The differentiation between hemp and other cannabis in the Farm Bill is based on THC content, not plant species. This botany-based regulation fails to account for the chemical composition that might pose risks regardless of its plant origin.
• Different forms of THC, such as Delta-9, Delta-8, and THC-V, have varying psychoactive effects, but only Delta-9 is well-researched. The lack of scrutiny on other forms due to current regulations raises potential safety concerns.
• Testing of New York City's snowbanks revealed high levels of pollutants like lead and chromium, as well as fecal bacteria. These findings mirror broader urban pollution issues, showcasing the hidden environmental challenges faced by the city.

Key Questions Answered

How does Science Friday explain the THC legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill?

Science Friday reveals that the 2018 Farm Bill created a legal loophole by regulating hemp with low THC content differently from other cannabis, allowing hemp-derived THC products to be sold over the counter without regulation.

What are Dr. Cinnamon Bidwell's views on cannabis regulation on Science Friday?

Dr. Bidwell argues for comprehensive cannabis regulation based on chemical content rather than botany, to reduce consumer confusion and ensure safety and efficacy of cannabis products.

What did Joe Hong discover about New York City's snowbanks on Science Friday?

Joe Hong found high levels of metals like lead and chromium, and fecal bacteria in NYC snowbanks, indicating urban pollution and potential health risks, particularly for children.