Natural vs. Converted Hemp THC: What Every Beverage Manufacturer Should Know

natural THC

If you’re sourcing hemp THC for your beverage line, you’ve probably come across two terms: natural and converted. Both deliver THC, but how they’re made, how they taste, and how they’re regulated? Totally different stories.

At Perfectly Dosed, we stick with natural THC for our standard emulsions, though converted is available when it makes sense. Here’s why understanding the difference matters for your product’s success - both in your recipe and in the market.

What Is Natural THC?

Natural THC is extracted directly from the hemp plant using a multi-step purification process. Think of it as getting THC in its original form - straight from the source.

The Process:

  • Extraction: Cannabinoids and plant compounds are pulled from raw hemp using solvents like ethanol, butane, or supercritical CO₂.

  • Purification: The mix is filtered, concentrated, and winterized (to remove plant waxes), yielding a THC-rich oil known as "mother liquor."

  • CBD Removal: Excess CBD is separated out using crystallization.

  • Final Purification: Chromatography further isolates the THC, producing a high-purity (85%+) concentrate.

What It Means for Your Beverage:

Hemp THC beverages have one very important input ingredient - hemp THC. Natural THC is the best way to clearly trace your THC source back to the hemp biomass and adhere to state-by-state regulations. Distributors and wholesalers are increasingly looking for products made with natural ingredients, too.


What Is Converted THC?

Converted THC takes a different route. Instead of extracting THC directly, it’s synthesized from CBD through a process called isomerization - essentially reshaping CBD molecules into THC.

The Process:

  • Starts with >99% pure CBD isolate

  • Uses proprietary solvents and acids to chemically convert it into THC

What It Means for Your Beverage:

Because it starts with isolated CBD and skips the full-plant extraction, converted THC won’t have any terpenes or flavonoids. You won’t get that hempy aroma or flavor - great if you’re going for a totally neutral beverage base. But you do lose some of the "authenticity" and complexity that natural extraction brings. Not to mention a few regulatory challenges.

Key Differences That Matter

Regulatory Risk

This one’s big. Converted THC can trigger regulatory red flags in some states that treat chemically altered cannabinoids differently than plant-derived ones. That means natural THC gives you a clearer, safer path to market.

Flavor

  • Natural THC brings subtle herbal notes, which some consumers associate with real hemp.

  • Converted THC is flavor-neutral, ideal if you want no plant character at all.

Chain of Custody Documentation

  • A major part of hemp THC products is chain of custody (COC) documentation - this is how to prove that the THC comes from a hemp plant and not from marijuana.

  • All hemp THC should come with a COC - this is especially important when working with converted THC that can be a bit more challenging to trace back to the original hemp biomass.

Why We Choose Natural THC (and You Might Want To)

At Perfectly Dosed, we use natural THC for our standard emulsions - and for good reason:

  • It's plant-derived and legally cleaner in most markets

  • It aligns with the growing demand for natural ingredients

  • It offers broader market acceptance and fewer labeling complications

Sure, converted THC can make sense in specific scenarios - but for most beverage brands, natural is the smarter long game.

Which One’s Right for Your Beverage?

The choice between natural and converted THC depends on your goals:

Choose natural THC if:

  • Regulatory clarity and clean-label positioning matter to your brand

  • You’re targeting health-conscious or premium markets

  • You’re selling across multiple regions with varying compliance rules

Choose converted THC if:

  • You’re only operating in regions where converted cannabinoids are clearly allowed

  • You need a completely neutral flavor base

The Bottom Line

Both types of THC can deliver effective, compliant hemp beverages - but they come with different trade-offs. Flavor, compliance, and consumer perception all hinge on this choice.

At Perfectly Dosed, we believe natural THC offers the best balance of performance, regulatory ease, and authenticity, which is why it’s our go-to. But we’re flexible - if converted fits your needs better, we can guide you through that too. Want to try a sample of each? Just ask!

Have questions about which THC option fits your beverage best? Reach out. We’re here to help you make the smartest, safest choice for your product and your brand.