Cannabis 101: The Difference Between THC, THCO, and HHC
In the United States, close to 50 million people used marijuana in 2019 alone. Whether you number among that group or just started diving into the world of cannabis recently, you probably have questions about what’s in marijuana.
Welcome to Cannabis 101. Here, we teach you everything you need to know about what’s in marijuana, including the differences between all the confusing compounds: THC, THCO, and HHC.
What Is THC? This Compound Explained
There are two different types of THC: Delta-8 and Delta-9. Delta-8 is one of the most prevalent cannabinoids on the market right now, and it’s the one that is probably the most well-known.
It’s a variant of THC, which is a commonly occurring cannabinoid in cannabis. The four main differences between Delta-8 and Delta-9 THC are their source, legality, effects, and their chemical structure. However, they both produce similar effects.
Delta-8 is naturally occurring in hemp plants. Delta-9 is different because it has a 9th carbon chain, but Delta-9 has an eighth carbon chain. This is where their different names come from.
What Is THCO? This Compound Explained
THC-O is known as THC-O acetate. This is one of the newer versions of THC, and while some research has been done, it’s still relatively new.
To get THC-0 from hemp, the CBD is converted to a Delta-9 THC version. However, scientists will also add acetic anhydride to it so that the THC becomes an acetate.
However, you should not try to make this at home. The acetic anhydride is corrosive and flammable, and it should only be used in a controlled lab environment.
Because of how dangerous this can be, you should also make sure that before you buy this product, you make sure that the place you are buying it from is a reputable seller.
What Is HHC? This Compound Explained
HHC is hexahydrocannabinol. It’s one of the latest cannabinoids on the market, and there is a lot of information on the Internet about it.
However, the chemist who isolated CBD was also the first to synthesize HHC. He extracted Delta-9 THC from the plant and used hydrogenation to make the HHC. The process involves using a heavy metal catalyst, an organic compound, and hydrogen.
However, it’s only been on the market for a short while.
What Are the Differences Between These Compounds
If you’re wondering what some of the main differences are, we have you covered. THC is a classic cannabinoid typically associated with the high feeling people attribute to marijuana.
It also has medical benefits and can help with pain management. However, on a federal level, it’s still illegal. It’s legal in some states.
HHC is a chemical that is made, and it’s been around since the 1940s. However, it’s only about half as potent as THC.
On the other hand, THC-O is supercharged THC. Some people have said that it is three times stronger than regular THC. Some people also say that they have felt its spiritual or psychedelic effects, but more research is also needed.
Consider the Source
THC comes directly from marijuana as it’s organically found. However, there are only trace amounts of it, even in mature cannabis plants.
Manufacturers will use extraction and conversion to make some THC as well, and they will extract CBD to make Delta-8 and Delta-9 as well. Delta-8 typically comes from hemp, but Delta-9 comes from marijuana because hemp can’t make enough Delta-9.
Even though you must create HHC in a lab through hydrogenation, it’s still not considered synthetic. That’s because HHC still naturally exists in cannabis. However, the scarcity of it in the cannabis plant is why so many companies will make it synthetically.
THC-O is a synthetic compound. It’s an artificial analog of THC, so it’s synthetic and made in a lab. However, it’s most similar to Delta-9 in terms of structure.
Other synthetic cannabinoids were utterly different from natural cannabis compounds, and because of that, they had unexpected effects on people.
Understand the Effects
While they might be similar, they do have different effects. Remember that everyone will react differently to different compounds, and you should talk with your doctor before using any of these.
However, since THC-O is considered the strongest, you might feel more effects than using THC. You are more likely to experience spiritual effects and psychedelic experiences with this cannabinoid, even with a lower dosage.
This is why it can be popular with people.
However, THC is still the most popular option out there. This is because it can provide a euphoric or relaxing effect. This can help people fall asleep and relax easier as well.
Some of the side effects of THC may include paranoia, nausea, or anxiety, but in general, people can’t overdose on THC.
On the other hand, HHC is weaker than THC. Many people will compare Delta-8 to HHC, but both are the less powerful versions of THC. HHC is a little bit stronger than Delta-8 but weaker than Delta-9.
HHC also has similar effects to regular THC. People who use it will experience physical and mental relaxation along with euphoria.
Look Into the Legality
Before using any of these products, check the laws surrounding them, as they constantly change. For example, THC-O isn’t listed as a prohibited substance except in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
However, in the United States, THC-O is a Schedule I substance. This means that it’s likely illegal in the United States and most of Europe. However, as the laws around THC change, the statutes around THC-O will also change.
In Canada, THC-O might be legal, but it also might be more challenging to access the compound.
On the other hand, the 2018 Farm Bill in the United States made the HHC legal on a federal level. HHC is legal around the nation, but some states still illegalize this compound, so you should also check your local laws.
HHC is legal because it’s derived from hemp. As cannabis and CBD become more popular, HHC will likely become more popular.
Lastly, THC is legally complicated. There has been a push to legalize it federally, but a lot of work still needs to be done. However, as it becomes more popular, more states are legalizing it.
Learn About the Safety
Since THC has had the most research on it, researchers consider it safe. There are some mild side effects that you might experience, like anxiety and paranoia, but it hasn’t been linked to any severe medical issues.
HHC is still relatively new, so much is still to be researched. However, from reports from other users, these cannabinoids are likely safe as well.
On the other hand, THC-O could come with potential risks since it is newer and has more intensity. It can give people a bad high if they weren’t expecting that high of a dosage, so you should use it cautiously.
Which Option Should You Choose?
Whether you’re a beginner or a novice with cannabis, these are all great options. After talking with your doctor, you could choose any of these options.
However, it will depend on the legality of it in your state. The laws are constantly changing, so you should check the laws in your state before you purchase any of these cannabinoids.
You will also need to figure out what type of effect you want to feel. For example, if you know that you’re sensitive to regular THC, you might want to use HHC to get a smaller dose but still enjoy all of the benefits of the euphoric feeling.
If you are looking for more of a psychedelic trip, you might consider getting some THC-O. On the other hand, if you want something easy to find, THC might be the best option.
When you decide which product sounds best, you need to find a reliable manufacturer or provider. Make sure you buy from a third-party sourcing company that can be trusted.
You must make sure you can buy weed pens, cannabis products, and other supplies safely. To find a great dispensary, search for a “dispensary near me.”
Discover More Cannabis 101 Information on Our Website
These are only a few Cannabis 101 things you need to understand, but we’re here to help you. If you’re interested in learning more about the different types of cannabinoids in cannabis, we have even more information for you!
Check out our website to discover more about the different types of cannabis and find the best option for you.
