What is THC-O Acetate?

With the constant changes happening in the world of hemp and cannabis, it is understandable that keeping up can be challenging. Well, we’re here to add another cannabinoid to the mix: THC-O. Short for THC-O Acetate, this new compound is actually a synthetic form of  Delta 9 THC and is proving to be almost 3 times stronger than typical Delta 9 and may be up to 5 times stronger than the newly popular Delta 8 THC. Yes, you read this right. 

In the article, we will dig deep to answer your burning questions about THC-O acetate to answer all of your burning questions, including:

1. What is THC-O?
2. What are the effects of THC-O?
3. Is THC-O Legal?
4. Is THC-O safe for use?
5. Where to buy THC-O?

What is THC-O?

THC-O, also known as THC-O Acetate or ATHC, is an analogue of Delta-9 THC. This synthetic cannabinoid is known to be three times more potent than Delta-9 and up to five times more potent than Delta 8 or Delta 10 THC. 

So what makes THC-O more potent than other forms of THC? While there still needs to be more research done to fully understand how and why THC-O works the way that it does, it is thought that its potency comes down to bioavailability, aka, how much of a substance is actually absorbed and ‘used’ within the body. THC-O seems to have a much higher bioavailability than Delta 8, Delta 9, or Delta 10.

Additionally, whereas other forms for Delta 8 begin getting absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, THC-O is a prodrug, meaning it needs to be metabolized by the liver before the user will begin feeling any effects. This means that users may not begin to feel the effects of THC-O for 20-30 minutes, with full effects kicking in sometimes up to an hour after consumption.

Because THC-O Acetate is so much more potent than say Delta-9 and takes longer to kick in, users should be very careful in how much they consume when first beginning to dabble with this prodrug. As the saying goes, a little goes a long way.

What Are The Effects Of THC-O Acetate?

Now that we understand how THC-O works within the body, let’s get a better understanding of what exactly users can expect to feel when consuming or smoking this prodrug. 

As we mentioned, this form of THC is significantly more poignant than other forms. While it is more potent, users can expect to feel a similar feeling to what they experience with Delta 9 - you’ll just need a lot less to get there.

THC-O is known to provide less of a ‘body high’ and more of a ‘head high’ meaning you may find yourself getting a little more creative or introspective. In fact, many report having a more of a spiritual or meditative experience with THC-O than they do with other forms of psychoactive cannabinoids. 

One major point that sets THC-O appart from Delta-9 is that, if too much is taken, it can actually have psychedelic properties. This is typically true if a single dose is higher than 15 mg. 

Here are the typical effects a user may experience when taking THC-O Acetate:

• Body and Mental Experience
• Happiness
• Strong Buzz
• Relaxation
• Restfulness
• Psychedelic Experience
• Spiritual effects
• Immersiveness

Is THC-O Legal?

THC-O is derived synthetically from hemp, not cannabis. According to the legislature brought on by the Farm Bill in 2018 which legalized the use of hemp-derived substances, this puts THC-O into a legal grey area. The good news is that, for all intents and purposes, this grey area means that the substance is legal in all 38 states that legalized hemp. 

Is THC-O Safe For Use?

The short answer to this question is yes.  While there still needs to be more research done about THC-O, there is no reason to believe it is any less safe than other forms of THC. However, the safety of THC-O really comes down to being mindful of how much you consume. Since it is so much more potent than other forms of THC, it is imperative to take it slow when first using.

No matter how much of a tolerance you may have built up for Delta 9, Delta 8, or Delta 10 THC, it may not transfer to THC-O. For this reason, we recommend starting out with only a single puff of a vape or a small serving of edibles until you know how your body will react. Give yourself at least an hour before the full effects kick in before you return for a second dose. In short, treat all forms of THC-O as you would a typical edible that takes a little longer to kick in. 

No one likes to be too high, but if you find you outdid yourself, you can do a few things to help bring down your high. You can find those tips in this blog post. 

Where to Buy THC-O?

While THC-O is growing in popularity, it is less readily available than other forms of THC or CBD may be. However, many head shops or hemp stores that carry CBD, Delta 8, or Delta 10 are beginning to pick up on this new, trendy cannabinoid. Coastal Hemp Co. currently carries THC-O vape carts and THC-O edibles for sale. We vigorously vet all our suppliers to ensure they meet our high standards for efficacy and safety. 

In summary, if you are a big fan of Delta 9 but are looking for something a little more legal (in most states), THC-O might be your option. Just follow the dosing recommendations on your product of choice to ensure you get the best possible experience.