Entry 12
What the law actually says — and why it matters.
If you've shopped for hemp products online, you've probably seen phrases like "federally compliant" or "Farm Bill hemp." Here's a plain-English breakdown of what that actually means — and what it doesn't.
The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act — commonly called the 2018 Farm Bill — established a federal legal definition of hemp for the first time in decades.
Under that law, hemp is defined as Cannabis sativa L. and any part of that plant, including its seeds, derivatives, extracts, and cannabinoids — provided it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis.
The key threshold: no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. That single number is the legal line between hemp and marijuana under federal law.
Before the 2018 Farm Bill, cannabis — regardless of THC content — was a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp meeting the 0.3% delta-9 THC threshold from the federal Controlled Substances Act.
That distinction matters practically: hemp-derived products that fall within the federal definition are not classified the same way as marijuana under federal law.
Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant. The legal difference is one number.
Both hemp and marijuana come from Cannabis sativa L.
Cannabis material with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. Covered by the 2018 Farm Bill federal definition.
Cannabis material exceeding the 0.3% delta-9 THC threshold. Treated differently under federal law.
The federal threshold specifically refers to delta-9 THC. Other cannabinoids (like THCA) have their own regulatory considerations.
The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act. It also authorized the USDA to oversee hemp cultivation programs.
What it does not do: it does not preempt all state laws. Individual states retain authority to regulate hemp differently within their borders. Some states have passed laws that are more restrictive than the federal definition. Some carriers and payment platforms have their own policies as well.
Important Note
Even if a product is hemp-derived and meets the federal definition, state laws, shipping carrier policies, and platform rules can vary. It is always your responsibility to review the regulations that apply in your location before purchasing or receiving a shipment.
We identify as a hemp brand because our products are hemp-derived and are formulated to align with the federal hemp definition. We are not a marijuana dispensary. We are not operating under a state cannabis license.
Being transparent about that isn't just legal positioning — it helps you understand what you're buying, why our products ship the way they do, and what category of product you're working with.
We offer hemp-derived products formulated to align with the federal hemp definition. Hemp is legally defined under federal law based on delta-9 THC concentration — not by what it is, but by how much of one compound it contains.
When you order from Monster Depot, you're ordering hemp-derived products. That means:
Our products are represented as meeting the federal hemp definition under the 2018 Farm Bill.
Laws vary by state. Review your local regulations before ordering.
We ship to eligible U.S. addresses. Carrier policies may still apply.
Hemp products are for adults 21 and older. By ordering, you confirm you meet that requirement.
If you have questions about whether our products are appropriate for your location, we'd rather you ask than be surprised. Reach out to support before ordering.
The Short Version
Hemp is defined federally by one threshold: no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp meeting that definition from the federal Controlled Substances Act. Our products are hemp-derived. State laws and carrier policies still vary — always review what applies where you are.