What is THCO & Should I Try It?

Even though cannabis has been legalized in certain places, the black market is still very much alive and well. A new “cannabinoid,” THCO, has recently emerged, causing quite a stir in the business world. 

What is THCO?

Synthetic or chemical THC is most often referred to as THCO-Acetate or THC Acetate. Since it is called a “chemical,” you know that THCO isn’t found in nature immediately. To that end, how is it manufactured?

The cannabidiol (CBD) extracted from hemp, which is allowed at the federal level, is converted into THCO. The CBD is converted into delta-8 THC by adding acetic anhydride to the CBD molecules. Finally, the molecules are isolated to eliminate all terpenes and flavonoids, making the THC significantly more potent than regular THC.

Scientists have classified THCO as a molecule or “prodrug.” For it to work, it must first be metabolized by the liver. What’s left after this is pure delta-9-THC isolate, which isn’t said to be as potent as delta-9-THC. Is there a reason for its seeming potency? It mostly relies on the fact that acetylated THCO is more bioavailable than the non-acetylated form.

According to the results of laboratory experiments, THCO maybe three times as potent as ordinary THC. As a result, excessive intake might cause unpleasant side effects and even major health problems. To enjoy cannabis safely, moderation is key. Consuming too much of anything, including food and drink, may have an adverse effect on the body.

What are the Effects of THCO?

We can stop asking, “What is THCO?” and start thinking about its consequences once we know what it is.

As we’ve previously said, THCO is about three times as powerful as ordinary THC. As a hallucinogenic compound, THCO can distort one’s sense of time and other sensory data.

There is a lot we don’t know about THCO, and no current proof that demonstrates it’s hazardous. However, evidence indicates it has many of the same basic advantages as other types of THC, including the ability to alleviate pain, aid in sleep, and stimulate hunger.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, drowsiness, and lethargy are some of the most often reported adverse effects of THCO, all of which are related to the drug’s potency. Nonetheless, there is no need to worry about this.

Weed users’ endocannabinoid systems determine how their bodies respond to cannabinoids, including the psychoactive compound THC.

Should I Try THCO?

We can stop asking, “What is THCO?” and start thinking about its consequences once we know what it is. As we’ve previously said, THCO is about three times as powerful as ordinary THC. As a hallucinogenic compound, THCO also has the potential to distort one’s sense of time and other sensory data.

There is a lot we don’t know about THCO, and no current proof that demonstrates it’s hazardous. However, evidence indicates it has many of the same basic advantages as other types of THC, including the ability to alleviate pain, aid in sleep, and stimulate hunger.

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, seizures, drowsiness, and lethargy are some of the most often reported adverse effects of THCO, all of which are related to the drug’s potency. Nonetheless, there is no need to worry about this. Weed users’ endocannabinoid systems determine how their bodies respond to cannabinoids, including the psychoactive compound THC.

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The Risks

While there have been no reports of fatalities due to THCO usage, it is important to note that the drug does not yet have a stable market. Binoid and Bearly Legal are among the pioneering companies that provide THCO to the general population. However, no tests are available to verify the safety and purity of even these popular companies’ offerings.

It’s not THCO itself that’s the issue; it’s the manufacturing process, and companies need to be more forthcoming about it. James Stephen, a cannabis researcher, claims that no matter how often he communicates with THCO manufacturers, the testing results he receives consistently demonstrate an insufficient level of specificity.

The production of THCO necessitates using several very hazardous compounds, which might contaminate the final product without proper safety protocols. Given this, it is important to have diagnostics that can identify the presence of contaminants or unknown substances even if there is no test to evaluate the strength (there have been suggestions that testing THCO is not straightforward).

Another concern is that inhaling THCO could have the same results as smoking vitamin E Acetate. Inhaling heated vitamin E acetate while vaping forms a very hazardous chemical that may cause lung damage at low concentrations and even death at high concentrations. It has been hypothesized that inhaling vaporized THCO Acetate might potentially result in the production of this hazardous molecule.

Is THCO legal?

This is not an easy question to answer. Binoid, HHC, and Bearly Authorized Hemp Company, among others, make THCO. They claim to be protected by the 2018 Farm Bill since their products are derived from federally legal hemp plants. But even now, they aren’t quite sure whether it’s legal. 

THCO is derived from the Schedule-1 substance THC. According to the Federal Analogous Act of 1986, any chemical that is “substantially equivalent to” a Schedule 1 drug is likewise considered to be a Schedule 1 drug; hence some experts feel this molecule is illegal. It’s important to note that this reasoning has some holes because it might imply that delta-8 THC is prohibited by law. 

Although theoretically not compliant with the 2018 Farm Bill, THCO has not been deemed banned at the federal level. Still, there remains a great deal of uncertainty concerning its future legitimacy. Most cannabis authorities in jurisdictions where adult use is allowed are ignoring hemp-derived chemicals like THCO because they are not subject to stringent regulation.

Get the Facts Right With My Marijuana Cards

Considering the above, it is easy to see that THCO is not a sure thing. Its authenticity and legality have been questioned, but you now have enough information to choose from. Never forget that moderation is the key to success.

There are several secure and effective solutions if you’d rather not experiment. If you’re looking for information on how to use cannabis responsibly for recreational or therapeutic reasons, go no further than My Marijuana Cards. Check out our site to get the latest THCO news and read up on how to use cannabis responsibly.