THCO is a controlled substance: DEA

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) says Delta-8 and -9 THCO are controlled substances, even if they’re derived from hemp. The DEA said that delta-8 and -9 THCO “do not occur naturally in the cannabis plant and can only be obtained synthetically and therefore do not fall within the definition of hemp.”

Since the Farm Bill legalized hemp in 2018, some manufacturers have been able to create synthetic highs from the cannabinoids found in hemp – worrying attorney Rod Kight, who inquired about their legal status.

US producers and consumers have also been confused as to whether these products are legal. Manufacturers of Delta-8 products may have used hemp containing no more than 0.3 percent Delta-9 THC. But if they added delta-8 synthetically in a lab, it’s not legal.

While a U.S. federal appeals court affirmed that delta-8 is not a controlled substance when derived from hemp, delta-8 THCO is a different matter altogether. Therefore, THCO is a controlled substance according to the DEA.

What is the difference between THC and THCO?

When the DEA made its statement, it referred to Delta-8-THCO.

Delta-8 THC and Delta-8 THCO are two different compounds you can get from cannabis plants. It is important to know the difference as some mistakenly believe that all Delta-8 is synthetic while Delta-9 is purely natural.

Delta-8-THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in small amounts in cannabis plants, similar to delta-9-THC, the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

Delta-8 THC has gained popularity in some states as a legal alternative to Delta-9 THC due to its milder psychoactive effects and legal status.

On the other hand, Delta-8 THCO is a synthetic cannabinoid. You can make it by converting CBD or Delta-9-THC through a chemical process. The “O” in Delta-8 THCO stands for “oxide,” which refers to the chemical structure of the compound.

Unlike Delta-8 THC, a naturally occurring compound, Delta-8 THCO is a man-made substance.

Should we be worried about THCO?

In response to the DEA’s statement, Attorney Rod Kight said:

I’ve been concerned about the proliferation of THC acetate ester (THCO) for a while. I’ve always believed that THCO is a controlled substance under federal law. Although it can be made from cannabinoids found in hemp, THCO is not naturally expressed by the hemp plant. It’s a lab creation that doesn’t occur in nature, at least not from the hemp plant.

Add to,

From this perspective, and unlike D8, THCO is rightly considered synthetic THC and not “hemp”. For this reason, I have consistently advised customers not to manufacture or distribute THCO. On a personal level, and based on a research letter published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology earlier this year, I routinely advise my personal friends against consuming THCO because of the potentially serious medical consequences of vaping.

Science-Based Decision or Reefer Madness?

Does THCO drive you crazy?

You don’t think of “reefer madness” when you think of cannabis attorney Rod Kight. But the scientific study he’s referring to is behind a paywall. So we’re off to a bad start.

(Don’t worry, the free full text will be available after January 1, 2024, after the DEA uses Science™ to create new regulations).

Fortunately, there are ways to overcome paywalls.

The authors of the study warn of lung damage from inhaling THCO. There’s no quarrel there. A gas chromatography-mass spectrometry test revealed acetate in some products, which produces ketene when heated.

The study states: “Clinical toxicity from THC-O vaporization has not been reported to our knowledge. However, we suggest that the use of THC-O be considered by healthcare providers when assessing lung damage in individuals who have vaped cannabis products.”

However, the study mentions that THCO does not pose the same risks when taken orally.

How dangerous are synthetic cannabinoids?

Of course, if America had a free and fair cannabis market, people wouldn’t need to consume THCO products. You could buy regular, natural, 100% organic cannabis.

But suppose you wanted to experiment with synthetic cannabinoids for financial reasons or out of curiosity.

Should we advise against it?

Of course safety comes first. But how much do we know about synthetic cannabinoids? How have false and biased media reports shaped our perspective?

In fact, the corporate press, DEA, FDA, and politicians have all hyped the dangers of synthetic cannabinoids (aka “Spice” or “K2”). But that hype was fueled by the same reefer craze that justifies their hatred of natural cannabinoids.

Notwithstanding possible lung damage, a serious problem a common argument against synthetic cannabinoids is that they cause psychotic episodes and seizures.

But the fact is that these effects are rare. They occur in a small minority of users. There is also the problem of pollutants. As the paper referred to by Rod Kight says, the problem is the acetate in the products. Not the THCO itself.

How many hospital admissions and deaths can we attribute to contaminated products? Is the blame solely on “Spice” or “K2”? Or do people mix synthetic cannabinoids with other drugs like alcohol, antidepressants, or opioids?

Legal Weed When?

Drug education is essential to enable adults to make their own decisions. Adults can use synthetic cannabinoids safely and responsibly. Although don’t get me wrong. Synthetic cannabinoids have serious side effects.

You’re better off just consuming the natural stuff.

But as usual, the DEA bases its decisions on misguided views and moralistic attitudes rather than scientific evidence.

Not only among DEA and “public health” busybodies, but even among cannabis connoisseurs, we tend to exaggerate the risks associated with synthetic cannabinoids.

But of course, if the DEA were serious about reducing issues and problems related to synthetic cannabinoids, they would advocate for the legalization of recreational cannabis.