It seems like every day there is news on some new varieties of marijuana or THC product. To cut through the noise and help settle what’s fact and what’s fiction, we’ve established this little report to settle things once and for all.
What is Delta 9 THC? Delta 8? HHC?
First things first Delta 9 THC is what people call weed in a normal setting. It’s the most common form of THC out there and is what nearly all people mean when they say weed, marijuana, or THC products. Unfortunately it’s also illegal federally. However, the Farm Bill which was introduced in 2018 made hemp-derived products containing under 0.3% Delta 9 THC legal.
Nowadays, new forms of THC products have entered the market. These include Delta 8 THC, HHC, THCO, THCP and THCV.
What is Delta 8 THC?
Whilst Delta 9 is abundant in the cannabis plant, Delta 8, HHC and so on are only available in trace amounts. So producers use sophisticated technology to extract CBD from hemp plants, and then convert them into these compounds. Since they are derived from hemp that has less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC, they are considered federally legal. Though some states have introduced laws specifically outlawing Delta 8.
Due to the fact that both Delta 8 and 10 occur naturally, both are considered federally legal according to the 2018 Farm bill. As long as your Delta 8 and Delta 10 are derived from hemp that has less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC, most states consider it legal.
What is HHC?
HHC(hexahydrocannabinol) is derived from hemp that is hydrogenated. Known to be a little less potent than Delta 9, but lasting longer, up to 12 hours. HHC is structurally similar to THC, but with a slightly different chemical composition. It is believed to have psychoactive effects similar to THC, but with a shorter duration and less intense high. HHC is not yet regulated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), so it is legal to purchase and consume in some states.
What is THCO?
THCOa(THCO acetate) is a new cannabinoid derivative not found naturally in cannabis plants. THCO is created by combining acetic anhydride with hemp-derived Delta 8 THC. This alters the chemical structure of THC and increases the potency of THCO. Widely considered to be 3 times as potent as Delta 9 THC, it has a strong sedative effect and may produce more intense and longer-lasting psychoactive effects.
What is THCP?
THCP(tetrahydrocannabinol) is an exotic cannabinoid that was discovered in 2019 by a group of Italian researchers. Some report that THCP can be 30 times as powerful as Delta 9 THC. THCP is structurally similar to Delta 9 THC, and was found to have a 33 times stronger binding affinity than Delta 9 THC to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. It’s believed that THCP may have more therapeutic efficacy due to its ability to effectively bind to cannabinoid receptors, especially in relieving pain. THCP is legal when derived from hemp.
What is THCV
THCV( Tetrahydrocannabivarin), found in some strains of cannabis, is legal when derived from hemp. While less potent then Delta 8 and Delta 9, THCV may help suppress appetite and boost energy. There's also some evidence that THCv might be helpful for things like anxiety, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Conclusion
The new THC market is filled with products with various different origins and processes behind them. Know your terminology to make sure your product is legal and makes you feel just right!