Your Cart is Empty
FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS $75+
If you’ve never heard of THC-O or tried it for yourself, you may find some conflicts in it being both federally legal and up to three times more potent than traditional THC products. For instance, since it’s legal to buy and use, can you drive on THC-O?
The answer is no, you shouldn't drive on THC-O, and doing so is both dangerous and illegal. Driving under the influence is illegal and unsafe in all circumstances, and there may be some additional risks to driving on THC-O that you aren't aware of. So, no worries about public road safety when it comes to the legalization of THC-O products.
Here are the THC-O rules of the road you need to know:
THC-O Gets You High
THC-O Effects Could Be Delayed
Driving Under the Influence is a Serious Offense
Delta-8-THC May Appear as Delta-9-THC
Alternative Relief While You Drive
Can You Carry THC-O in Your Car?
Where to Get Safe, Legal THC-O Products
Thanks to Delta-8-THC (the most well-known hemp THC), many people believe that hemp-derived THC products are milder than traditional cannabis products. The truth is–THC-O is incredibly potent, up to three times more potent than traditional Delta-9 products. That means it has the ability to affect things like vision, depth perception, spatial awareness, and general focus.
Read our article "Will THC-O Get Me High? to learn more.
Not only is THC-O super potent, but the effects of certain THC-O products could take a while to kick in. You may still feel capable of driving right after taking THC-O products, but the effects may be delayed, meaning you could suddenly begin to feel very high while behind the wheel if you choose to drive. This is very unsafe in any circumstance, so it's best to have a designated driver or just stay home when using any THC products.
Read our article "THC-O Effects" to learn more.
Driving under the influence, even in the case of legal substances, is a very serious offense. At the least, you may be required to pay heavy fines and take driving classes. In severe cases, you may be looking at jail time and complete loss of your license. The punishment for driving under the influence varies by jurisdiction, but the penalties are never mild.
It's also important to understand that while THC-O is federally legal, a drug test will not typically differentiate between different types of THC. That means that if you are pulled over for driving under the influence, your drug test will show that you've consumed THC, and it can be difficult to prove that you consumed legal THC-O products.
In other words, in addition to the harsh penalties for driving under the influence, you may also be held accountable for the possession or consumption of illicit, Controlled Substances if you live in an area where cannabis is illegal.
Read our article "Delta-8 vs Delta-9-THC" to learn more.
If you’re consuming THC-O recreationally, the only good option is to do so in a safe environment and make arrangements for transportation if necessary. If you are using THC-O for its potential therapeutic benefits, especially on a regular or daily basis, this may not be so simple.
Still, driving under the influence of THC is illegal and dangerous, no matter what the reason. If you find that you need to drive but still need relief from various symptoms, like pain, anxiety, poor focus, or inflammation, you may want to consider trying CBD.
CBD isn’t psychoactive and won’t interfere with your ability to safely and legally drive, but it may still provide some of the same therapeutic benefits of hemp-derived cannabinoids.
So, driving after taking THC-O is an obvious no. But, can you travel with THC-O in your car? And if so, how do you do this safely and legally?
Typically, yes, you can carry hemp-derived THC products in your car as long as you have not consumed THC-O prior to your trip. You may want to follow the same basic rules used for driving with cannabis products in states where cannabis is legal.
For instance, Illinois state law allows the transportation of cannabis in a motor vehicle providing it is stored in an odorless, childproof container that is completely sealed and is placed in an area that is out of the driver's reach. Storing cannabis in any other type of container, having it in an unsealed container, or in an area that is directly accessible by the driver is considered a class A misdemeanor.
Colorado has similar laws. In Colorado, however, cannabis can be stored in the passenger area of the car as long as it is in a sealed container. Traveling with cannabis in an open container is considered a traffic violation.
California also has a closed container law, and breaking the law can be grounds for a fine of up to $100.
In Massachusetts, cannabis cannot be stored in any area of the car designed to carry passengers. That means that cannabis cannot be stored in the cab of the car, including in the glove compartment. Instead, you must carry cannabis in a closed container in the trunk or equivalent area of the vehicle.
In other words, you should carry THC-O:
You should also never consume THC-O products in your car, even while parked. Check your local laws to determine if there are any specific regulations for traveling with hemp-derived THC.
Read our article "Can You Have THC-O in Your Car? to learn more.
Because THC-O is federally legal and legal in many states, you can buy it both in stores and online. However, many people buy hemp THC products online in order to review the product and the brand before they buy.
Not all THC-O is made equal, so you should look for a product made from high-quality hemp material using safe manufacturing practices. Also, make sure that the product is third-party tested to prove its potency so that you will have accurate dosing information. Buying a legally made THC-O product is crucial to being able to legally carry it in your car.
At Vida Optima, all of our products are fully Farm Bill compliant and made from high-quality, US-grown hemp using industry-leading extraction techniques. You can always view the third-party lab test before you buy, and we're here to help if you don't know where to start.
Check out our Elev8 Collection to see all the hemp THC products we have to offer.
Comments will be approved before showing up.
