Canadian multinational e-commerce platform Shopify is reportedly removing hemp derived high-THC products from sellers’ stores.
CBDTesters’ Alexandra Hicks states an email from the ecommerce giant has been sent to various merchants identified as selling delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) products containing more than 0.3% THC.
Shopify has reportedly stated in the emails its policies do not currently permit merchants to offer for sale products containing more than 0.3% THC; regardless of compound type.
According to Shopify’s hemp page, sellers providing products to the USA must provide an attestation stating among other things:
“Your products contain no more than 0.3% THC, regardless of compound type, such as delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10.”
And for international sales:
“The products you sell can’t contain more than 0.2% of THC, regardless of the compound type, such as delta-8, delta-9, and delta-10.”
Hemp derived THC in its various forms have created a storm of controversy over the last year or so – first with delta-8, which can be created by manipulating CBD (cannabidiol), then delta-10 and more recently the concentration of delta-9 from hemp for use in various products.
The 2018 Farm Bill defined hemp as cannabis within a threshold of 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. This is a very low level with no recreational or “adult use” value. However, the wording has created a perceived loophole for the creation of other “deltas” or concentration of the low levels of THC present in hemp.
Last week, the US hemp industry’s national advocacy organization again condemned the marketing of intoxicating products under the guise of hemp, stating health concerns and a violation of the intent of Congress with regard to the 2018 Farm Bill.
The situation has certainly demonstrated that words matter; particularly in relation to rules and regulations as there will always be attempts to circumvent them.
Back in 2019, Shopify began allowing U.S.-based retailers to sell select hemp or hemp-derived CBD products via its commerce platform, with conditions. It began permitting Canadian merchants to sell CBD products via its platform in 2018.
