What is THC-O, and why is it getting so much attention?
Over the last few months, we’ve seen a wave of new cannabinoids enter the cannabis world. One of the latest and most potent of them all is THC-O. Many people that don’t have access to legal marijuana products are turning to these new cannabis products because they exist in a legal gray area. Could greater legalization help to correct this?
One of the biggest appeals for THC-O is its potency and legal status. This is because THC-O can be as much as three times more potent than traditional Delta-9 THC. Legal hemp plants are the starting point for many minor cannabinoid products. Goods made from hemp are legal at a federal level. The attention that minor cannabinoids such as Delta-8 THC could be both a blessing and a curse for other minor cannabinoids.
In the following article, we’ll take a closer look at what THC-O is. What the effects of THC-O are, and the current legal status of THC-O.
What Is THC-O?
While most of us have just started to learn about minor cannabinoids, people have been studying THC-O for decades. For example, in 1949, the United States military studied the effects of THC-O on dogs. One of the things that they noted was the effects of THC-O eroded the dogs’ muscle coordination twice as fast as traditional Delta-9 THC did. The military has been experimenting with recreational drugs for decades.
The most common way to produce THC-O is by adding acetic anhydride to Delta-8 THC, which produces Delta-O acetate.
It was thirty years after the United States military studies that THC-O appeared on the DEA’s radar. In 1978, DEA agents raided a secret laboratory in Jacksonville, Florida, and discovered the production of THC-O. However, because THC-O hadn’t entered the illicit market, they didn’t look further into it.
Creating THC-O isn’t as simple as it sounds. The production of this cannabinoid involves adding the extremely flammable and volatile acetic anhydride to Delta-8 THC molecules. The entire process involves a series of extractions. CBD extracted from raw hemp is the first step. The 2018 US Farm Bill made it legal at a federal level to grow hemp and produce goods including CBD from it. This was the starting point for the development of minor cannabinoids.
Next, Delta 8-THC is extracted from the CBD. The last step is adding the acetic anhydride to the Delta-8 THC molecules to create THC-O acetate. While it sounds simple, cannabis experts have all agreed that trying to make DIY THC-O is extremely dangerous. So not only shouldn’t you attempt to make THC-O, even using DIY THC-O is risky.
Is THC-O Safe to Use?
Without accurate data, studies, and clinical trials, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions floating around about THC-O. In addition, with so many new cannabinoid companies trying to cash in on new and exciting trends like THC-O, the quality of what you’re getting is always going to be questionable. Look for companies with good reputations for delivering quality products.
At the start of any boom, there are always a few missteps. Some companies try to cut corners to secure market share. However, there are also companies that are using only pure and pharmaceutical-grade products. They also include additional purification steps throughout the process that are getting a clean and high-quality product.
One of the biggest risks with THC-O is how potent it is. While no one has ever died from overindulging with regular THC, THC-O has added risks because of its potency. Not only that, with unregulated products, you can’t be 100% sure about what you’re getting. Regulation is required to ensure quality control of THC-O products. However, many cannabis companies are already self-regulating well above what would be expected by a regulatory body.
Another thing to remember if you choose to use THC-O products is the effects of overindulging. Most people at one time or another in their life have overindulged with regular THC. Now, try imagining greening out with something that’s three times as strong. It wouldn’t be a very pleasant experience and one that no one would want to repeat.
Some of the biggest drawbacks to potent THC products are anxiety, nausea, paranoia, laziness, and fatigue. If you suffer from any of these symptoms when using THC, using THC-O products could be three times as bad for you.
What’s The Legal Status of THC-O?
Producers of THC-O products make the claim that they are legal like Delta-8 THC products because they fall under the umbrella of the 2018 US Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and the production of goods from hemp.
Like other minor cannabinoids, THC-O exists in a legal gray area. Some regulatory bodies believe it’s illegal and many companies believe that it’s legal. So, there’s no clear yes or no answer to this question at this stage. The situation is still developing. Some states have even made the decision to start banning specific minor cannabinoids.
While some states are aggressively pursuing these new minor cannabinoids, others, where cannabis is already legal, are largely ignoring them. As quickly as a state bans one compound, another one that is slightly different ready to take its place. Then, the cycle starts over again.
What Is THC-O? – Conclusion
As you can see, there’s still a lot to learn about minor cannabinoids such as THC-O. Consumers need to approach THC-O products carefully until they’re fully regulated. Only buy products from reputable companies that have transparent operating procedures and back up their products with quality guarantees.
If you’re currently taking any medication or suffering from any medical conditions and considering trying THC-O, please speak to your doctor. Information in this article shouldn’t be considered either medical or legal advice. If you plan on buying any THC-O products, then please conduct your own research.
Have you got any questions about THC-O? Or would you like to learn more about minor cannabinoids? Don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly. Our team will only be too happy to help.