You're probably familiar with hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, Delta-8 THC, and even CBD.
So what exactly is THC-O?
That's what we're going to cover in this blog post!
Here, we're going to go over:
Table of Contents
So without further hesitation, let's begin!
What Is THC-O?
Well, THC-O can stand for:
- THC acetate ester
- THC-O acetate
- THC acetate
- O-acetyl
- ATHC
- THC acetate ester
And yes, that's a lot of names, but it's all the same hemp-derived cannabinoid.
THC-O is an acetylated form of THC (like Delta-8 or Delta-9).
So what does "acetylated" mean?
An acetyl group is a small molecule of two carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, and one oxygen atom.
THC-O has an acetyl group where Delta-8 or Delta-9 would have a
Cannabinoids such as CBD and THC consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
THC-O has all the "stuff" that THC has…but more.
There's a lot more to it than that. But that should be about what one needs to know regarding the chemical differences.
What Does THC-O Feel Like?
When discussing the effects of THC-O, or any other cannabinoid, it's essential to remember that these hemp-derived compounds affect us differently.
After consuming THC-O, some enthusiasts have reported feeling:
- Chill
- Mellow
- Euphoric
- Relaxed
Those who enjoy Delta-8 THC might have a fondness for THC-O.
But, there is a critical difference between THC-O and other popular cannabinoids.
Because THC-O has an acetate group, it takes longer for the body to "process it" and for an enthusiast to feel the effects.
And that even applies to when people inhale THC-O.
Someone can smoke or even vaporize the cannabinoid, and instead of more instantaneous effects, it could take someone a half hour to feel it.
Interesting right?
But keep note, "half-hour" is just an example. That timeframe can vary from person to person.
How Long Does THC-O Last?
Like other cannabinoids, the duration of the effects of THC-O heavily depends on the medium and the person consuming it.
If you eat THC-O, it will last longer. If you smoke or vaporize it, the effects will have a shorter duration.
But again, no matter which way you consume THC-O, it will have a more prolonged onset of effects than other hemp-derived cannabinoids.
If you're new to THC-O, you should try it at night when you've got nothing on your schedule.
This way, you can gauge the duration of effects for yourself without risking any obligations.
How Strong Is THC-O?
There is no single answer to this question. You'll find plenty of hype online that THC-O is some "super THC."
However, some people have found it to feel less active than Delta-8 THC.
In the world of hemp-derived cannabinoids, both takes could be true.
It sounds crazy, and we may sound like a broken record, but the truth is that hemp-derived cannabinoids affect everyone differently.
And the best (and most importantly, enjoyable) way to find out how this cannabinoid affects you is to take the "low and slow" approach.
What's the low and slow approach?
Well, let's say you had a THC-O gummy.
First, you want to start with a low amount. That means you're not having the entire gummy or most of the gummy--just a small piece.
You eat it. And you wait for a bit.
But because it's THC-O that you've consumed, you'll wait a bit longer than you would with other edibles.
You then feel the effects of THC-O.
Do you take more?
Not yet. You'll take it slow, so you'll wait a bit more.
You're all set if you're feeling good with where you're at.
But if you aren't satisfied, you eat more and then repeat the process.
How Long Does It Take For THC-O To Kick In?
The onset of effects is one of the defining and interesting characteristics of THC-O.
Because of that acetyl group, it takes longer for your body to process the cannabinoid.
For hemp enthusiasts that enjoy smoking, the effects of THC-O in flower form will not be as nearly instantaneous as other cannabinoids.
As stated earlier, some have felt the effects as late as 30 minutes after smoking. But remember, the onset of the impact will vary.
Whether you're talking about Delta-8 or hemp-derived Delta-9, Edibles take a while to set in.
However, with THC-O, be prepared to be a bit more patient.
So, in conclusion, expect to wait a bit longer for the effects of THC-O.
How Much THC-O Should I Take?
You might be wonder, “How potent is THC-O?”
There is no universal right amount of THC-O that you should take.
Cannabinoids affect everyone a bit differently.
So with that in mind, it's best to take the "low and slow" approach.
That means you should star with a low amount of a product, wait for a bit for the effects to set in. Take it slow, and wait a bit more.
If you’re satisfied after a bit of time has passed, then you’re good. If you’re not satisfied, just repeat the process until you are.
This might take a session or two, but once you find your “sweet spot,” you’re all set.
How Long Does THC-O Stay In Your System?
Everyone's body breaks down cannabinoids at a different rate. There are too many variables to answer this question in good faith.
Avoid consuming THC-O or other hemp-derived cannabinoids if you have a drug test soon.
Does THC-O Show On A Drug Test
Do not consume hemp-derived cannabinoids if you need a drug test soon. That includes THC-O.
Drug tests designed to detect cannabis detect the byproducts of your body breaking down THC.
They can't determine if you were consuming a form of THC that's federally legal and legal in your state or not.
Is THC-O Legal?
Hemp and marijuana are the same species—cannabis.
Their only difference was a legal one. Hemp is cannabis with a 0.3% or lower concentration of Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
Anything above that concentration is marijuana.
When derived from hemp, THC-O is legal on a federal level and in many states.
So whether THC-O is or isn't legal will depend on your state.
