What is THC-O? THC-O and THC alternatives explained

Even as the majority of states legalize cannabis for medical use, and a growing number of states extend that legalization to adult use, the federal ban on THC continues to make things difficult for both industry and consumers.

While the federal legalization of hemp through the 2018 Farm Bill was a step forward for cannabis as a whole, the legal divide between hemp and cannabis has created many legal gray areas when it comes to associations.

Here we’re going to look at the rise of Delta-8, what this has to do with THC-O, and what you need to know to safely consume these products.

Delta-8 and the rise of THC alternatives

One of the ways this state disparity between hemp and cannabis is playing out is through the rise in THC alternatives.

Take delta-8 THC, for example. Delta-8-THC is a close relative of Delta-9-THC, the naturally occurring and intoxicating compound we all know and love from cannabis. Delta-8-THC is what we call an “isomer,” a compound with a similar, if not identical, structure to Delta-9-THC.

And while the structural differences between isomers can be quite small, they can lead to significant differences when it comes to how our bodies process and experience the compounds. Delta-8-THC appears to have therapeutic effects comparable to Delta-9-THC on less high, which could make it an attractive and valuable option for people who would benefit or enjoy a milder high.

Delta-8-THC is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in hemp and cannabis plants, but in very small amounts – so small that it is not economically feasible to extract it from the plants to produce exclusively Delta-8 dominant products.

Dr. Christopher Hudalla, chemist, founder and chief science officer at ProVerde Laboratories has examined naturally occurring delta-8 THC concentrations in thousands of samples and estimates that approximately 55,000 kilograms of plant biomass are required to extract one kilogram of delta-8 THC natural sources. That would mean an unimaginable price tag of around $ 50 million per kilo.

Instead, Delta-8 is mostly synthesized in a laboratory from the abundant and readily available CBD molecule found in hemp. And since the 2018 Farm Bill specifically contains hemp “derivatives” and “isomers” (among others), it has been argued that delta-8-THC synthesized from hemp CBD is legitimate. This is a complex and ongoing debate in the hemp and cannabis industry.

And while Delta-8-THC appears to be a safe and beneficial compound with potential therapeutic and commercial uses, the unregulated synthesis of Delta-8 from hemp sources raises consumer health and safety concerns.

“When delta-8 THC is synthesized, some very toxic chemicals and catalysts are used to effect the conversion of CBD to THC. Not all manufacturers are equally good at removing or neutralizing these toxic reagents, and no one tests these residues in consumer products. There is literally zero oversight in the manufacture or distribution of these products, ”explained Hudalla.

Delta-8’s questionable legal status, intoxicating properties, and lack of regulations protecting the health and safety of the public have indeed complicated the Delta-8 landscape.

So far it has been left to the individual states how to deal with the issue or how to ignore it. Several states have decided to ban Delta-8 altogether, while some have allowed Delta-8 to be made from cannabis-derived Delta-9 THC as part of their own legal cannabis programs. Most, however, have not taken an official position on Delta-8-THC.

Regardless, Delta-8-THC’s popularity is growing rapidly in states where consumers do not have access to legal, state-licensed Delta-9-THC products.

What is THC-O?

Enter THC-O-Acetate – or THC-O – one of the newest THC alternatives on the block.

Like Delta-8-THC, which is synthesized from CBD, THC-O is a semi-synthetic analogue of Delta-9-THC. It starts with either a delta-9 or delta-8 THC molecule, which is then altered through powerful chemical reactions to replace the THC hydroxyl group with an acetyl group.

Without delving too deep into the chemistry, this change increases the fat solubility and membrane permeability of the resulting THC-O-acetate molecule, meaning it is easier for our bodies to absorb and use. This, in turn, makes it a stronger form of THC than delta-9 THC. While there isn’t enough research to say for sure, one review suggests that THC-O is twice as potent as delta-9 THC. Others suggest it could be even stronger.

Additionally, THC-O is believed to be a “prodrug,” meaning it must be metabolized before it can have any effects.

According to Minchul An, PharmD and founder of the cannabis patient and drug management platform Pattern Health, prodrugs are essentially the precursors of a drug. “The parent drug or medication as it is ingested (in this case THC-O-acetate) is inactive,” he told Weedmaps.

“If THC-O-acetate is really a prodrug, by definition it has no pharmacological activity and has to be metabolized into the active ingredient responsible for the effects. Once metabolized, it is able to bind to the CB1 receptor and activate it to produce a neuro-intoxicating effect, ”he added.

This means that, similar to Delta-9-THC edibles, it takes a long time before you feel the effects of THC-O. People who have tried THC-O also report psychedelic effects that are quite different from the euphoria and high that are common with Delta-9 THC.

Ultimately, we don’t know much about THC-O. Although it is available for purchase, no significant research has been conducted to understand its effects or how it works in the body.

Is THC-O Safe?

The THC-O-acetate compound has been known to scientists since the 1940s when some research was done on its potency and effects in dogs, but no research was done on THC-O for human consumption.

In addition, no research has been conducted to evaluate the safety of THC-O or any of the by-products in THC-O products in animals or humans, and there is no research evaluating its effectiveness or safety for medical uses.

We know that THC-O, like Delta-8-THC, is synthesized in a process that uses highly hazardous chemicals and this should only be done by trained professionals in properly equipped laboratories. It also requires highly skilled chemists using high quality chemical inputs.

Once the conversion process is complete, there are several possible sources of impurities that can show up in the final product: synthetic by-products, unnatural isomers accidentally created during the chemical conversion process, or other residues from toxic solvents, acids, or bleaching earth.

“When manufacturers make analogs in this semi-synthetic way, the result is a mixture of unnatural isomers with additional synthetic reaction by-products. None of this occurs in nature, and to date we have no information on their toxicity, ”explained Hudalla.

As the hemp market is largely unregulated, as mentioned earlier, we have no oversight over the testing and reporting of these contaminants in THC-O products.

The delayed onset of THC-O, coupled with its higher potency, can also lead to uncomfortable experiences if people are not careful. We have all heard of bad experiences with edibles, and those experiences could be compounded by the higher potency of THC-O. So when trying THC-O be sure to start low and go slowly – start with a small amount and wait at least an hour or two before consuming more.

“As a pharmacist, I would advise my patients to stay away from THC-O. We know nothing about the actual security of this particular compound. The industry is not regulated and we have seen how unsafe it can get with the EVALI crisis, ”added An.

Is THC-O Legal?

Kight Law Offices cannabis attorney Rod Kight told Weedmaps that the legality of THC-O was questionable.

“It certainly does not have the necessary safety data studies to be approved by the FDA as a new nutritional ingredient in food. More importantly, it’s likely a controlled substance under federal law as unlike Delta-8 and other forms of THC, it’s not made by the hemp plant, “he explained a naturally occurring cannabis compound.”

The bottom line

THC-O and other Delta-9-THC alternatives such as Delta-8-THC or Delta-10-THC are new and potentially beneficial innovations for consumers and patients alike. However, because they are so new, there is little research on their safety and effectiveness.

The synthesis of THC-O from hemp sources and the products resulting from it are not regulated, which means that consumers currently have no way of ascertaining the safety or purity of the products.

If you want to try THC-O products, be aware that THC-O appears to be significantly stronger than Delta-9-THC and proceed with caution.

Featured image by Gina Coleman / Weedmaps