Colorado cannabis vapes show signs of hemp conversion

Hemp-derived THC continues to enter Colorado’s legal marijuana market in violation of state law, a recent independent investigation suggests.

Three out of 14 marijuana drugs purchased from legal marijuana stores in the Denver area showed signs of banned hemp-derived cannabinoids in lab tests, the Denver Gazette and ProPublica reported.

Colorado’s Marijuana Enforcement Division declined to comment on the findings.

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Complaints of THC found in hemp produced outside of legal channels from legal store shelves – a practice called “inversion” – have emerged in several states, including New York and Colorado.

As MJBizDaily reported last year, Colorado operators have been raising the alarm about the conversion of hemp THC for more than a year – going so far as to see how the suspected conversion of track-trace systems.

But, according to critics, regulators have been slow to react and use tests to get reform or punish violators.

To test the conversion claims, The Denver Gazette and ProPublica purchased and tested 14 cannabis vaporizer products from Denver-area retailers.

Three samples tested contained levels of delta-8 or delta-10 THC ranging from 1.1% to 3.3%.

Those compounds occur naturally in trace amounts of cannabis. But they come from high altitudes where the CBD found in hemp is chemically converted into THC, a process that is prohibited in Colorado.

Tests found banned compounds, solvents in Colorado marijuana

The investigation marked products from certain licensed manufacturers.

Two vape products from Dutch Botanicals have tested positive for delta-8 THC. The company’s license was suspended in May for allegedly producing the intoxicating THC made from hemp, outlets reported.

Owner Jenny Tran has denied using hemp and is fighting to keep her license in the face of federal action, according to The Gazette.

A vape product from Rockin Extracts showed abnormal levels of delta 10-THC and solvent residues different from what was listed on the package. The company’s lawyer stated that this discovery is due to environmental destruction and said that the oil was taken from someone else.

The “Flyin’ Hawaiian vape” from C2CC, which does business as Bonanza, contains toluene, a solvent that stores say is a sign of hemp conversion processes.

Co-founder Conlan Keller said the distillate was purchased from a supplier that provides the certificates of analysis required by C2CC.

Can Colorado cannabis regulators stop illegal hemp conversions?

In court last year, a licensed grower called Mammoth claimed that regulators were unable or unwilling to stop this practice of “marijuana smuggling” from regulated sales channels.

A judge declined to compel MED to take action, but the agency introduced a pilot testing program last fall.

According to The Gazette, this program is in the first stage. A permanent implementation will require additional resources and funding.