Hemp flower markets have evolved considerably since hemp was federally legalized in the U.S.  In 2019, Type 3 cannabis flower – characterized by a cannabinoid profile containing less than 0.3% THC and more than 0.5% CBD, or other non-intoxicating cannabinoids – was an explosive market.

Non-intoxicating hemp flower, or “smokable hemp”, was explosive from the perspective of demand, but also explosive politically.  Despite being Farm Bill compliant, hemp flower looked and smelled identically to marijuana, creating endless problems for law enforcement.

As cannabis extractors faced massive backlogs of CBD extracts after demand for CBD proved ephemeral, they pivoted in the lab, and began producing novel cannabinoids like delta-8 THC.  Some hemp flower sellers realized they could spray or infuse type 3 hemp flower with delta-8 THC, and demand for this product soared. 

In many cases buyers had…