---

When the Rules Change Mid-Round: Hemp, Legality, and What’s at Stake for All of Us

There’s a moment in every round of golf when you realize something simple:

“I just want to feel good enough to enjoy this.”

Good enough to swing freely.
Good enough to walk the fairway without your knees screaming.
Good enough to laugh with your friends, sleep well that night, and wake up feeling like yourself.

For many of us, hemp — CBD, CBN, low-dose THC — has become a big part of making that possible.

At Back 9 Botanicals, hemp didn’t start as a business idea. It started as a way to feel better, recover smarter, and find a calmer, clearer version of life. Only later did it become a brand for golfers, athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone chasing balance.

That’s why what’s happening right now at the federal level hits so hard.
And why we want to take a minute to walk through what’s going on — clearly, honestly, and with as little legal jargon as possible.

---

A Quick Refresher: Why Hemp (CBD, CBN, and Others) Became Legal

In 2018, Congress passed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 — better known as the 2018 Farm Bill. Among a lot of agricultural policies, it did something historic:

It removed hemp from the federal list of controlled substances, as long as it met a specific definition. 

Legally, hemp was defined as:

Cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight.

That change did three big things:

1. Separated hemp from “marijuana” under federal law, even though they’re the same plant species (Cannabis sativa L.).

2. Allowed farmers to grow hemp as an agricultural crop under state and federal programs. 

3. Opened the door to hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and even hemp-derived delta-9 THC to be used in oils, gummies, beverages, and more — as long as they stayed within that 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight limit.

That’s the legal foundation that allowed companies like Back 9 to exist.
It’s how hemp-derived CBD, CBN, and compliant delta-9 THC products became widely available across the country.

---

How Hemp-Derived Delta-9 Products Like Back 9’s Are (Currently) Legal

Here’s where it gets a bit technical — but it’s important.

Because the 0.3% delta-9 THC limit is based on percentage of dry weight, not a fixed milligram cap, it became possible to make:

• Gummies

• Beverages (like THC seltzers)

• Oils and tinctures

…that stay under 0.3% THC by dry weight, but still contain a functional, low dose of hemp-derived delta-9 THC.

That’s how you see things like:

• A 2-10 mg delta-9 THC gummy that still qualifies as “hemp” because the gummy is heavy enough that THC is <0.3% of its total weight.

• A low-dose THC seltzer with a few milligrams of delta-9 per can, but the total weight of liquid keeps it under the 0.3% threshold.

Back 9’s hemp-derived delta-9 products are built on this exact framework:

• Compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill definition

• Lab-tested

• Formulated for low-dose, functional effects — not blow-you-away intoxication

They’re designed for clarity, presence, and enjoyment, not sedation or obliteration.

---

Intoxication, But Different: Why Many People See Hemp THC as Safer Than Alcohol

We’re not here to preach. A lot of us grew up on 19th-hole beers and celebratory drinks after big days. But we can be honest:

• Alcohol can be hard on sleep, recovery, and mood

• It’s dehydrating

• It’s easy to overdo in social settings

• And the next-day cost is very real

By comparison, low-dose hemp-derived THC (especially in the 2–10 mg range for many adults):

• Has no alcohol, so no hangover

• Often comes in precise, labeled doses, which makes it easier to know what you’re taking

• In early research and a lot of real-world experience, it’s associated with relaxation, reduced stress, and improved sleep for many people, when used responsibly Cato Institute

Is it intoxicating?
Yes, it can be — that’s the point of THC.

But a measured, low-dose THC gummy or beverage is a very different experience from several high-proof drinks. For many Back 9 customers, it’s become a safer, more intentional alternative to alcohol — one that lets them:

• Unwind

• Connect

• Sleep

• Wake up ready to play, train, or just live their lives

We always encourage responsible use, starting low, and following local laws. But we believe people deserve access to these options.

---

Not All Cannabinoids (or Manufacturing Methods) Are the Same

The 2018 Farm Bill did more than lawmakers expected. By legalizing hemp under that 0.3% rule, it also created what people now call the “THC loophole.”

That loophole led to an explosion of hemp-derived intoxicating cannabinoids, including:

• Delta-8 THC

• Delta-10 THC

• HHC

• THCP

• THCO (now explicitly treated as illegal by the DEA because it’s purely synthetic)

Some of these cannabinoids:

• Occur naturally in the plant in very small amounts, and can theoretically be extracted directly.

• But in commercial quantities, they’re often created through chemical conversion, usually starting from CBD isolate.

That means:

• There are clean, careful producers using safe processes, reputable labs, and transparent COAs.

• There are also bad actors cutting corners, using harsh solvents, or pushing extremely high-potency products with very little testing or oversight.

It’s no wonder regulators got nervous — especially seeing high-dose products showing up in gas stations and online shops, sometimes without age checks or proper labeling. Cannabis Business Times

---

Why Back 9 Chooses a Different Path: BEVARIN + Natural Cannabinoid Extracts

At Back 9, we’ve always believed in working with the plant as naturally and intelligently as possible.

That’s why we focus on:

• Direct extracts of cannabinoids like CBD, CBN, and hemp-derived delta-9 THC, rather than chasing every new conversion-based intoxicating compound.

• Our proprietary BEVARIN™ hemp oil, is built around varin-rich compounds (like THCV and CBDV) and other cannabinoids that support energy, focus, metabolism, and mood in more functional, everyday ways. 

You can read more about BEVARIN here:
👉 https://back9botanicals.com/pages/bevarin

We then pair these cannabinoids with natural supplements and botanicals — things like adaptogens, sleep-supporting ingredients, and recovery-focused nutrients — to build functional formulas for:

• Performance and focus

• Recovery and soreness

• Relaxation and sleep

• Everyday mood and balance

We’re not chasing the strongest high.
We’re chasing better days — and more of them.

---

What’s Happening Now: The New Federal Ban on Intoxicating Hemp Products

Recently, while most people were focused on ending a prolonged government shutdown, a new federal hemp provision was quietly slipped into a major spending bill. Louisville Public Media

Here’s the short version:

• Senator Mitch McConnell added language to a bill to reopen the government that redefines legal hemp and severely limits THC in hemp products.

• Instead of the old 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight standard, the new law caps total THC (all forms) at around 0.4 mg per package — a tiny amount that would make most existing hemp-derived products (including many CBD products) effectively illegal at the federal level. CRB Monitor News

• The ban went through without full hearings, debate, or committee votes. It was added late, over objections from some lawmakers, including Senator Rand Paul and others who recognize the importance of hemp to farmers, small businesses, and consumers. 

• There is a one-year delay before full enforcement, with federal agencies scrambling to define what counts as “naturally occurring” cannabinoids and how the law will be applied.

Critics — and we’re among them — point out that:

• This doesn’t just hit high-dose or bad-actor products.

• It threatens nearly the entire hemp-derived cannabinoid industry, valued around $28 billion and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.

• It risks cutting off access for millions of people who’ve turned to hemp products for sleep, stress, pain, and general wellness — especially those looking for alternatives to alcohol, opioids, or other medications.

Yes, there are legitimate concerns about unregulated products and kids accessing high-dose THC at convenience stores.
We agree: common-sense regulation and age controls are necessary.

But an effective nationwide ban that also sweeps up responsible, lab-tested, adult-focused products is not the answer.

---

What This Means for People Who Rely on Hemp

For many of our customers — and for many of us personally — hemp isn’t a fad. It’s part of a wellness routine:

• The gummies that help you sleep.

• The THC seltzer that lets you enjoy a social night without alcohol.

• The topical that gets you through a long workday or a tournament weekend.

• The CBD/CBN blend that finally calmed your racing mind.

We hear stories every week from people who say things like:

“I’m playing more golf now because I can actually move the next day.”
“I cut way back on drinking because your seltzers feel better — and I remember the night.”
“I finally found a way to unwind without losing myself.”

The new law puts all of that at risk, not just for Back 9, but for thousands of companies and millions of people across the country.

---

Where We Go From Here

The story isn’t over.

• Lawmakers in both parties are already talking about new legislation to correct or replace this rushed ban with more reasonable, targeted regulation that preserves access for adults while addressing real concerns. CRB Monitor News

• Industry groups, farmers, brands, and advocates are organizing to fight for hemp, for consumer choice, and for sensible rules.

• There is time — roughly a year — before the most severe parts of the law are scheduled to take effect, and a lot can change before then. Cannabis Business Times

At Back 9 Botanicals, here’s our stance:

• We will continue to operate within the law as it stands today.

• We will keep prioritizing safety, transparency, and functional wellness — with lab-tested products, clear labels, and responsible dosing.

• We will support efforts to reform or repeal this overbroad ban and replace it with smart, adult-use regulation that protects both consumers and legitimate businesses.

---

How You Can Help

If hemp, CBD, CBN, or low-dose THC products have made a difference in your life, you’re not powerless here.

You can:

• Contact your U.S. Representative and Senators and tell them you oppose the new hemp ban and support reasonable regulation that preserves access to hemp-derived wellness products.

• Support organizations and brands that are fighting for consumer choice, farmer livelihoods, and science-based policy.

• Share your story — with friends, with policymakers, with us. Real experiences matter.

---

We built Back 9 Botanicals at the intersection of sport, science, and wellness.

We believe recovery, focus, and balance are the foundation of peak performance — whether you’re chasing birdies, running trails, or just trying to feel good enough to enjoy your everyday life.

We’re not going anywhere.
We’ll keep showing up.
And we’ll keep fighting for a world where you don’t have to choose between feeling good and living well.

For golfers. For athletes. For life.
— The Back 9 Botanicals Team

---

How You Can Help Protect Access to Hemp Wellness Products

If hemp wellness products — CBD, CBN, low-dose delta-9, or BEVARIN-based formulas — have helped you sleep, recover, reduce stress, or cut back on alcohol, your voice matters.

Here’s how to speak up:

✔️ Step 1: Find Your Lawmakers

Visit:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
https://www.senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm

Enter your zip code to see your Representative and Senators.

✔️ Step 2: Call or Email Them

You can say something like:

“I am a constituent and I oppose the recent federal ban on hemp-derived cannabinoids. These products are important to my health and wellbeing. Please support efforts to repeal or revise the ban and replace it with reasonable, science-based regulations that preserve adult access to hemp wellness products. Hemp is not the same as high-THC marijuana, and responsible, lab-tested hemp products should remain available for consumers.”

Keep it short, polite, and clear.

✔️ Step 3: Share Your Story (Optional)

A personal sentence goes a long way:

“CBD helped me sleep.”
“Low-dose THC helped me cut back on alcohol.”
“Hemp topicals are what keep me active.”

Lawmakers don’t forget real people.

✔️ Step 4: Encourage Others

Share the blog.
Post on social media.
Tell friends who rely on these products.

The more voices, the more pressure to fix the rushed, restrictive legislation.