The cannabis industry is not monolithic, with distinct interests on either side of the THC regulatory divide.  Marijuana stakeholders resent the regulatory advantage that hemp operators have.  Intoxicants like delta-8 THC are far more profitable than highly regulated and specially taxed flower or delta-9 THC type extracts.  Some states are regulating and taxing hemp-derived cannabinoids, but others are taking a laissez-faire approach to this product category.

In active state cannabis markets like California, Oregon, and Colorado, delta-8 THC faced far stronger headwinds than states with no legal marijuana markets.  Even smokable hemp saw early aggressive pushback by cannabis lobby in California, a product with no purported intoxicating benefits.