With international cannabis and hemp industries expanding, consumers are reaching for online THC purchases or insight into the possibilities of products like THCA flower. As alluring as the ease of instant availability of cannabis goods through the web is, however, the difficulty of regulatory entanglements present in shipping materials makes the procedure far from uncomplicated. Having knowledge of these obstacles is imperative for businesses and consumers in the legal cannabis industry.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the different obstacles and challenges pertaining to shipping cannabis and hemp legally, and how it remains such a cumbersome process for most places.
The Legal Framework Surrounding Shipping Cannabis and Hemp
The ability to navigate through the legal weather is one of the top challenges in shipping marijuana and hemp products. Despite all the advancements that have been made towards decriminalizing and legalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use in various states, marijuana is still regulated by the federal government. This creates inconsistency and uncertainty in the shipping and delivery of cannabis commodities, even though cannabis has been legalised for certain purposes in a region.
Hemp has gone even further. Because of the 2018 U.S. Farm Bill, hemp and hemp derivatives, such as CBD, are federally legal if they contain no more than 0.3% THC. This has allowed hemp products to be shipped from state to state, even though there remain very tight controls on cannabis products with higher THC concentrations. Federal and state splits mean that firms have to exercise great caution and follow a mosaic of regulations lest they risk violating the law.
Shipping Restrictions by Country
Not only is the transportation of cannabis and hemp controlled by federal and state laws, but also by national laws. Its exportation outside of their own countries makes matters even more complicated because every nation has its own rules about importing and exporting cannabis products. For instance, even though Canada has legalized cannabis completely, shipping cannabis or any cannabis product into countries where cannabis is not allowed is illegal.
Furthermore, Australian, British, and the majority of EU nation member states also have strict legislation and licensings on shipping cannabis and hemp items, even in the case that they are THC-free or have quantities within the limits of being hemp legal. That is companies expecting shipping overseas will need to study up and adhere to overseas cannabis shipping regulations before engaging in shipping out any products offshore.
Complicated Packaging and Labeling Legislation
Aside from having to deal with elaborate legal schemes, businesses dealing with shipping hemp and cannabis will also have to follow rigid packaging and labeling requirements. The legislation varies across states but usually entails child-proof packaging, explicit labeling of THC content, health warning messages, and detailed instructions for proper storage. The idea behind this legislation is to avoid unintentional ingestion or abuse, particularly in families with pets or children.
These are state regulations that compel the companies to place the origin of the product, the strength, and any other information that will lead the consumers into making an informed decision to buy THC online. In case businesses fail to abide by these packaging laws, they can be fined, their products confiscated, or lose their right to operate lawfully.
Transportation and Courier Limitations
Transportation of hemp and cannabis products has one of its main limitations being the restrictions made by major courier companies. Major companies like FedEx, UPS, and DHL typically restrict the transportation of cannabis products, even though they may be legalized in the concerned areas. They have operations worldwide and are governed by numerous international laws and regulations, most of which still place cannabis as an illegal product.
Consequently, companies usually end up searching for specialized couriers or employing local shipping companies licensed to transport cannabis shipments. Such small carriers work within defined areas and know how to comply with the shipping regulations of cannabis and hemp products. Although this may be possible in certain situations, it can prove costly and restrictive in terms of the scale-up of cannabis businesses, particularly those interested in going national or international.
Long Story Short
Shipping of cannabis and hemp under the law is full of major hurdles that need attention, knowledge of the law, and precise detail. With changing legal landscapes and rigorous adherence to compliance the cannabis and hemp companies have to be capable of unraveling a regulatory quagmire in a bid to stay compliant and meet the needs of their clients.
For those looking to explore the legal cannabis market such as those seeking to buy THC online or enjoy THCA flower it is essential to stay informed and work with trusted providers that understand the complexities of legal shipping. At Enjoy Hemp we’re committed to providing top-quality hemp products that are compliant with the latest regulations and ensure safe and reliable shipping to our customers.