We’ve Got the Scope on THC-O:
In 2018, the legal hemp market EXPLODED as new legislation paved the way for industrialized hemp to enter the canna-scene. The Agricultural Improvement Act (aka: the Farm Bill) legalized and put into place regulatory processes for hemp production! Soon after, the hemp-industry began pumping out an electric variety of products all made with the multitude of cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant – THC-O being one of them, but with a slight variance! Delta 9 THC, one of the most well-known cannabinoids, is partially famous for its psychoactive effects! Cannabinoids that are structured moleculary in a similar way as delta 9 THC, can also produce similar alterations of perception. THC-O is a fully-synthetic cannabinoid that isn’t found naturally within the cannabis plant. To create THC-O, you’ll first need to convert CBD to delta 8 THC. From this stage, you’ll want to incorporate acetic anhydride into your mix thus achieving THC-o-acetate! (This is NOT an experiment you’ll want to practice at home, folks!) Acetic anhydride is a highly flammable, colorless liquid that is utilized in many industrial applications, like making plastics. The production of THC-O encompasses specialized equipment and dangerous chemicals – you’ll want to be in a lab-setting and ideally, under the guise of a chemist!
Buyer’s Guide to THC-O: It’s a Potent One!
THC-O is growing in popularity amongst cannabis users; we think it’s primarily due to its psychoactive properties! Users of THC-O report feelings of bliss akin to euphoria – that’s why it’s coined the nickname for itself as the “spiritual” cannabinoid. Ever felt the sensory experience of a psilocybin trip? Similar, but mild in comparison! THC-O is reported to be up to 3 times as strong as delta 9 THC and nearly 5 times as stronger as delta 8 THC – so buyer be advised: this cannabinoid is a potency powerhouse.
When purchasing THC-O in today’s market, there are a few things that buyer’s need to be cognizant of:
High demand, less supply.
- Due to its growing popularity, there is a bigger demand for THC-O than there is adequate supply, so some companies are selling faux THC-O products guised as the minor cannabinoids.
Consider purchasing directly from the brand.
- If you purchase a brand’s product directly from their manufacturer or website, you can usually access references to verify the authenticity of their products – this information is usually found via the COA page of a companies’ website.
Consider the price-point; don’t shop cheap on this one.
- It’s important to weigh the risks of purchasing THC-O products that are advertised at a lower price. THC-O is costly to manufacture; that will also be referenced in its selling price. Some companies will falsely advertise their products and cut them with minor cannabinoids to profit from their margins.
How to Dose THC-O:
Depending on your preferred method of consumption and the information readily available on the product, you should be able to find the MG per toke/bite etc. by looking at the MG count on the packaging! With a little bit of math, you should be able to calculate this information yourself, too. Let’s take vape cartridges, for example: if you know the MG count of the entire cartridge, then you’ll want to divide that number by 75-100 to gauge how many MG’s you’re inhaling per toke! Since THC-O takes a little time to be processed by the body (similar to an edible) you’ll want to be cognizant of how much you’re consuming and how much time has passed between doses. Once you’ve got a good feel for how you’re going to react to it, you can experiment and have fun!
Buyer Be Advised:
Before you jet, we want to remind you to be mindful when purchasing THC-O! Since it is fairly new to the legal canna-scene, we encourage you to do your research into your buyers! This little investment of your time is going to save you BIG in the long run. THC-O is part of a new, and poorly regulated market; that means it’s easy for some suppliers to cut costs in production to give you a more affordable, but lesser quality product. Since research is still ongoing with THC-O’s effects long-term within our bodies, it’s imperative you’re sure you’re consuming the best quality, and safest product out there!
