Ever since former US President Donald Trump legalized hemp at a federal level, the cannabis industry has produced tons of new products that contain minor cannabinoids. Of course, this doesn’t mean that cannabis products that contain THC aren’t fully legal. This bill only applies to products that have no psychoactive effects. However, this hasn’t stopped the Farm Bill itself from inadvertently allowing the industry to produce cannabis products that produce psychoactive effects, and one of these new compounds that do just that is known as THC-O acetate.
What Is THC-O?
THC-O is one of a few compounds that’s produced when THC is processed by certain chemical processes. This compound is produced in a number of ways, but the way that’s the most valuable to the cannabis industry is through the process of acetylation. This is where the THC is combined with acetic anhydride, which is a compound that contains the elements carbon and hydrogen.
Why Is THC-O Getting Popular?
It’s been estimated that THC-O receives up to 175 times more psychoactive effects than THC does, meaning that manufacturers can make their products much stronger without any risk of breaking any laws for having a psychoactive product. This makes it extremely useful for the cannabis industry, which has been struggling to find new ways of maintaining its products in a legal and safe way. Many producers in the cannabis industry have either gone legal or have gone under, and some have even had to stop producing cannabis products altogether.
What Kind of Drug Is THC-O?
THC-O is classified as an acetate, which is a class of compounds that’s itself part of the larger grouping of esters. The DEA classifies THC-O as a Schedule I drug, which makes it illegal to produce or possess. However, in the case of legal e-cigarettes, this rule doesn’t apply as long as the THC-O has been properly extracted from the cannabis plant. However, it’s still necessary to inform the consumer that they’re inhaling THC, just not in the form of smoke or vapor.
Is It Stronger Than THC?
Yes, THC-O is much stronger than regular THC. In fact, the THC level in THC-O can be as high as 80% by weight. However, THC is what individuals in the cannabis community look forward to because it produces the psychoactive effects that many people look forward to when they smoke cannabis. As far as THC-O goes, it’s not a good idea to inhale it, even if it creates an immediate, semi-euphoric effect that can be described as similar to that of THC.
Is It Legal?
In states that have legalized cannabis, THC-O is also sometimes legal, which means it’s legal to produce these products within certain parameters. However, not all states have the same laws and rules, meaning that it is not legal in some states.
How Is It Used?
For the most part, the THC-O that’s used in vaping products is extracted from cannabis and then put into cartridges that are used in vapes. The THC-O is also put into thin creams that are used to treat certain skin conditions.
What Are the Uses of THC-O?
There are so many uses of THC-O, and while one may think that it is purely for recreational purposes, that isn’t the case. Some people may use it for its therapeutic benefits, similar to those of traditional THC, despite having slightly different effects.
For instance, THC-O can be used to treat problems such as poor sleep, nausea, and even physical discomfort. Of course, such benefits only happen if the amount of it taken is small and controlled. Unfortunately, going past that level is easy, and those benefits are simply replaced with disadvantages that can leave a person worse off than they started.
What Are the Positive Effects?
THC-O will give individuals a feeling of euphoria and relaxation, but that’s the only good thing about this compound. It also affects the mind by creating changes in the perception of time and changes in the perception of smell and taste. Additionally, it can also cause a person to feel drowsy, which may be perfect if one is trying to sleep. But of course, it can be a danger if not used in the right situations.
What Are the Side Effects?
While ite does produce a similar sensation as THC, it’s completely different when it comes to the potential side effects. THC-O has a higher potential to create a negative reaction. In fact, it’s estimated that one out of every 20 individuals who use the substance experience the sensation of vomiting and nausea, which is a higher rate than what’s reported with THC.
The reason for the negative reaction seems to be that the THC-O is still oil that can cause irritation to the lungs and stomach. It’s also temporarily unsafe for certain individuals, such as those who are pregnant or allergic to the oil.
While it might seem that THC-O is the perfect alternative to THC, that’s simply not the case. For the most part, THC-O is a substance that’s best avoided.
Are There Long-Term Dangers to THC-O?
The long-term dangers of THC-O aren’t fully tested, especially because this substance is so new. However, there are some things that can be said, and the most important of these is that it’s still not fully understood, which makes it more dangerous.
According to experts, it can cause a number of health problems, including cardiovascular damage and even cancer. The risk of these problems occurring will depend on the amount of it that is smoked or consumed, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a real threat.
How Long Do the Effects Last?
Generally, the effects of it last for about an hour or more, which is much shorter than the effects of THC. However, the effects of THC-O are much more similar to those that are experienced in the presence of cannabis, which is the feeling of being in the clouds.
Is THC-O Addictive?
Since THC-O is oil, there’s a chance that some users may become dependent on it. One of the major side effects of becoming dependent on THC-O is that it could cause a drop in a person’s lung function. While it’s likely to be less addictive than THC, there’s still a chance that users could develop a dependency.
Conclusion
As you can see, it has made its mark in today’s world, and with the way it works, more and more cannabis products are now containing psychoactive effects. While this may seem like great news to those seeking to enjoy the high from their beloved THC, this also means that there are many individuals whose lives are at risk of the dangers of THC-O.
Source:https://tobacco.ucsf.edu/thc-o-acetate-linked-severe-lung-disease
