What Is THC-O? Effects, Usage, Best Products & More
Posted by felipe@cbdvapejuice.net on 22nd Nov 2022
If you are asked what the most potent cannabinoid is, you would probably say tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)! Believe it or not, there is a new cannabinoid in town, THC-O. But what is THC-O? How does THC-O feel? Is it true that cannabis enthusiasts claim this cannabinoid is about 3 times stronger than THC?
Most cannabis consumers are talking about it, and almost everybody wants to taste it. But at the same time, there are endless questions about the best THC-O strain, benefits, effects, legality, safety, and overall user experience.
Let us learn everything about THC-0 to help you decide whether it fits your cannabis wellness routine. Sure, it will, and you will love it!
What is THC-O?
THC-O or THC-O-acetate is a non-natural or synthetic cannabinoid. This means it does not occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Instead, it is made in the lab.
The cannabinoid is synthesized using a chemical called acetic anhydride. And the process requires state-of-the-art manufacturing practices and equipment to produce high-quality products.
The process starts by extracting delta 8 THC from industrial hemp and mixing it with acetic anhydride to yield THC-O. Some manufacturers go ahead and infuse it in various products – you can find THC-O vape e-liquid, oils, tinctures, edibles, and even flowers.
The first occurrence of THC-O dates back to the 1940s though some individuals recently heard it for the first time. It was first used in the 1970s when the American Military was looking for non-lethal techniques to incapacitate enemies.
The cannabis space recently gained much interest in this cannabinoid, mostly in places where marijuana is still illegal.
Best THC-O Products To Try
Not sure which THC-O products to try? Here are some of our top recommendations. With more than a decade of experience in the cannabis industry, rest assured we always give the best.
Elyxr – THC-O Cartridge 1 Gram (1000mg)
Looking for pretty powerful effects that will unlock a new consciousness while feeling like you are in paradise? Elyxr THC-O cart will give you that. Plus, the beauty of it is that you will enjoy a legal high.
The cart packs a whopping 1000mg of THC-O combined with Delta 8 THC to give you an unmatched experience.
Elyxr – Delta 8 THC Joints (5 Pack)
Just a few puffs of this D8 product will give you a clear-headed, uplifting buzz that will surely make you productive. The brand gives you a chance to choose different flavors and strains, each with its own unique properties.
Elyxr D8 joints best suits individuals looking for almost immediate delta 8 effects. Get this product from us at an affordable price.
Hixotic – The Jeffrey Disposable
They say a product with plenty of cannabinoids has extra benefits; we say this disposable will give you all. Just 1-3 puffs are enough to ensure that.
Remember that the effects of THC-O are quite strong and take more time to kick in. So dose this product carefully with the help of a doctor. Or instructions on the product label.
Elyxr – THC-O Disposable 1 Gram (1000mg)
One of the best things about this brand is that it uses USA-grown hemp and employs Good Manufacturing Practices to make its THC-O products. Plus, it uses safe ingredients in every e-liquid.
Rest assured this disposable is 100% pure since a third-party lab thoroughly tested it. Grab yours today and enjoy THC-O for longer than you could imagine.
Elyxr – Live Resin Mutant Blend (THC-H, THC-B, & THC-P) Disposable 1 Gram (1000mg)
This disposable packs numerous cannabinoids for improved cannabis wellness. It might be new to the market, but everyone who has tasted it praises its well-balanced high coupled with uplifting effects.
Plus, the product is made with a high-end coil that effectively heats the vape liquid while preserving cannabinoids and flavors for a smooth, flavorful, and beneficial experience.
How to Consume THC-O?
As stated earlier, THC-O comes in various formulations. You can smoke, vape, dab, or orally ingest THC-O products, including sublingual use. Let us dig deeper into some of the most common methods of consumption.
Note: THC-O effects take longer time to kick in compared to other cannabinoids despite the method of consumption. But the duration of effects is almost the same.
Smoking
Just like other cannabinoids like CBD and THC, you can smoke THC-O. You just need to choose a quality flower or bud, prepare your smoke, then puff puff.
If you prefer to make your own joints, there are steps included. Or go for other means of smoking, such as using a pipe or bong. All these 3 methods of smoking involve breaking the flowers or buds into small pieces for easy rolling or packing a pipe.
Be sure to invest in a herb grinder because using your fingers to break the flowers might spoil your product or make it lose essential cannabinoids.
There are THC-O pre-rolled joints that you simply light and smoke. Consider them if you find making your own joints a bit challenging.
The effects of smoking THC-O take 10-20 minutes to kick in and last approximately 2-5 hours.
Vaping
Vaping THC-O effects are fast-acting, just like smoking. Plus, vapes are more readily available than flowers.
After 1-2 puffs, expect to feel the effects in about 10 minutes, and enjoy them for up to 5 hours. Remember to give your THC-O enough time to work and space your vaping sessions to reap all the benefits.
Avoid THC-O vape carts made with thinning agents or carrier oils like fractionated coconut oil, vegetable glycerin, or propylene glycol. Studies found that some of these compounds can damage your lung tissue.
Plus, go for top-quality products that were expertly manufactured. The acetate in the THC-O can cause similar issues as thinning agents above. In general, going for low-quality products could expose you to lots of these harmful compounds, causing more damage to your body.
Sublingual Use
Applying THC-O tincture or oil under the tongue or sublingual use is the middle ground between inhalation and oral ingestion. It offers quick effects in approximately 15 minutes and can last up to 6 hours. The cannabinoid enters the blood directly through the tissues under the tongue.
You will want to go for products with lots of cannabinoids and other safe ingredients for the best effects. For instance, a carrier oil like a highly fractionated coconut oil is a good penetration enhancer. Terpenes are also known to offer the same penetration advantage.
If you do not like the taste of THC-O tincture, you can put your drops dosage into your favorite food or beverage and enjoy. But the effects will be less potent and require more time to kick in.
Oral Ingestion
If inhalation or sublingual use does not fit your personal preferences, you can still enjoy THC-O edibles. Eating edibles like gummies, candies, or pills takes time to deliver effects. But they offer long-lasting results compared to other consumption methods.
And because we are talking about THC-O edibles, expect the effects to kick in in about 1-2 hours.
The most common and potentially dangerous mistake users make with cannabis is getting impatient and using the second THC-O dosage very early. If you consume an edible and do not experience any effects after one hour, it is imperative to wait at least another hour before the second dose.
The cannabinoid is quite potent and has several side effects, just like others. The last thing you want is to struggle to manage these undesirable reactions rather than enjoying THC-O benefits.
Can I Legally Buy and Possess THC-O in the United States?
Yes, THC-O is technically legal, or in simple terms, it is in a legal gray area. Let us help you digest this.
The 2018 farm bill legalized industrial hemp with less than 0.3% THC. This includes all the naturally occurring hemp cannabinoids, isomers, derivatives, and others.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law though some states legalize it for medical and recreational use. The only THC mainly listed in the Controlled Substances Act is delta 9 THC. This technically deems THC-O legal only when it is made with hemp-derived CBD and Delta 8 THC.
But here is the main challenge. THC-O is not a natural cannabinoid – it is synthetically produced. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has a different definition of natural and synthesized compounds, along with modified cannabinoids that are not included in the 2018 Farm Bill.
THC-O might be the first cannabinoid to get wiped from the streets because of its synthetic status if the federal government decides to put an end to synthetic cannabinoids.
For now, you can buy and possess THC-O products. So enjoy them while you can because their future is unsure.
Like other cannabinoids, THC-O legality varies from one state to another. States in line with the federal government definitely allow the use of THC-O products.
Some states draft their own rules and regulations surrounding cannabis, and THC-O is illegal in such regions. The most important thing is to check the cannabis laws in your state before getting your hand on this new cannabinoid.
Will THC-O Get You High?
Of course, YES. THC-O will get you high, but its effects differ from traditional THC and other cannabinoids like delta 8.
In fact, it is believed that the cannabinoid is 3 times more potent than delta 9 THC. Also, THC-O is more bioavailable than many other forms of THC, meaning more of it reaches the bloodstream.
What are the Effects of THC-O? Low doses give euphoric and mild sedating effects, while large doses offer psychedelic or potent sedative-like effects.
In general, THC-O effects include body high sensation, mental euphoria, relaxed mind and body, increased creativity, mild visual effects, increased happiness, and sleepiness. These effects are dose-dependent.
As an obvious thing to do, especially for beginners, practice proper dosing and start with very small doses since THC-O is incredibly potent.
Also, after using any THC-O product, never drive, operate machinery or perform any activity that would cause injury or accident.
It is worth noting that you can fail a THC-O drug test. The cannabinoid can appear in most drug tests since it is metabolized like other THCs.
Is THC-O Safe to Use on a Daily Basis?
THC-O is safe when used responsibly, but you must work with a legit company when looking for its derived products.
One reason not to use THC-O daily is that it is a prodrug. For the cannabinoid to be activated, it must be metabolized first. As a result, it can take a toll on your liver.
THC-O is a new cannabinoid meaning it is not highly regulated. Besides, it requires highly controlled manufacturing standards in order to produce quality products. This is because it is synthetically produced, which involves using several chemicals that can harm your body.
Since THC-O is much stronger than delta 9 and other cannabinoids, it is critical to dose it carefully. Also, alternate THC-O products with other cannabinoids rather than using them daily.
Is THC-O Lab-Tested?
As mentioned earlier, THC-O is synthetically produced, so it MUST be tested before reaching the market. When purchasing THC-O products, be sure to ask for the third-party testing report and rigorously go through the Certificate of Analysis.
This way, you will confirm the ingredients in your products while ensuring they are free from any residual solvents and other contaminants.
If a certain vendor does not make lab results easily accessible or provide them upon request, NEVER EVER look back; go to the next company. Any brand that does not offer enough info about its product is not worth your time and money. Do not risk your health.
Fortunately, several companies like CBD Genesis invest in independent lab testing and other sophisticated production practices to ensure pure and high-quality THC-O products.
Why Choose CBD Genesis?
That is all about “what is THC-O” for the moment. The cannabinoid is gaining popularity and is extensively studied every day. But its future is hanging on a balance as it is not regulated, along with the potential safety risk when you use low-quality products.
For this reason, ensure that you source your products from well-known brands that only offer the best, CBD Genesis being one of them.
We have been producing cannabis products of unrivaled quality and purity, including CBD, Delta 8 THC, Delta 9 THC, Delta 10 THC, THCV, and other essential cannabinoids. Contact us today or visit our website for more information.