What is the Difference Between Delta 9 THC and THC-O Acetate?

Delta 9 and THCO acetate are two different compounds derived from cannabis sativa plants. Learn about their differences here.

What is the Difference Between Delta 9 THC and THC-O Acetate?

THC stands for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ-9-THC). It is a cannabinoid molecule in marijuana (cannabis) that has long been recognized as the main psychoactive ingredient, that is, the substance that makes people who use marijuana feel high. Delta-8 THC and delta-9 THC come from the cannabis sativa plant, which naturally produces more than 100 cannabinoids or active components. However, while the plant contains significant amounts of delta-9 THC, it contains very little delta-8 THC, a minor cannabinoid.

The THC and CBD in Delta 9 are not the same thing, although both come from cannabis sativa plants. As the cannabis industry is paying more and more attention to delta 9 THC and what it does, we thought today to address the differences between Delta 9 THC and CBD, so you know what to look for in CBD products. The chemical difference between Delta 9 THC and THC-O acetate begins with the way in which each compound is produced. Delta 9 is a natural compound found in both marijuana and hemp.

In contrast, THC-O is a hemp derivative that can only be produced in a laboratory through an acetylation process. THC-O is the acetate ester form of Delta 9 THC. Identifying your ideal THC dose from Delta 9 depends on your tolerance level, your experience with cannabis and the type of effects you want to have. Most classify legal Delta 9 as a hemp-derived Delta 9 to point out that THC is extracted from legal hemp and not from marijuana.

Laboratories must now include the theoretical total delta of 9-THC that can form as a result of the conversion of THCA to the delta-9-THC actually found in the sample. However, “THC” can actually refer to two different compounds, the first being “THCA”, the parent molecule, and the second is the molecule that binds to the cannabinoid receptor in the body, “delta-9”, which is responsible for the psychoactive, intoxicating and euphoric effects of traditional cannabis. If you're trying to pause your tolerance to Delta 9, you might want to reconsider trying THC-O, as it can increase your tolerance levels. If you normally prefer low doses, such as 5 mg of Delta 9, try a third of that dose when you first try 1.5 mg of THC-O.

Research on the long-term use of delta-9 THC and its effects on sleep is limited; some studies show an improvement in sleep patterns and others indicate that chronic use of delta-9 THC may have the opposite effect, since it alters sleep and delays the onset of sleep.

THC Delta 9

is created by heating THCA molecules that produce a certain amount of Delta 9, a type of THC that has a double bond in the ninth carbon chain. This means that it takes longer for THC-O to be processed by the body (so, practically, if you have to take a drug test, THC Delta 9 will leave your body much sooner). The researchers found that, after the first 24 hours, mice showed 6 times greater tolerance to the effects of Delta 9.The problem with that standard is that total THC is always higher than delta-9, so farmers in states with total THC have less room for error in THC levels in compliance tests.

In states where recreational or medicinal use of marijuana is legal, cannabis dispensaries offer a wide range of products containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9 THC). Because of the extra calm offered by Delta 9 THC, many users also claim that they sleep much better at night when using a CBD product that contains both CBD and THC.

Christy Cancio
Christy Cancio

Typical coffee fanatic. Evil bacon junkie. Proud food junkie. Wannabe zombie maven. Subtly charming travel maven.