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A new study finds that some cannabis products have higher THC concentrations than what’s typically seen.
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Introduction
Cannabis products come in many forms, and the THC concentration can vary greatly. Some products, such as hashish and hash oil, have very high concentrations of THC. In properly madeHash oil may have THC concentrations of 80% or higher. Other products, such as CBD oil, might have trace amounts of THC (<0.3%).
What is THC?
THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. It is what gives the plant its ability to produce the “high” that users experience. THC levels can vary widely from one cannabis product to another. For example, hashish or hash, which is made from the resin of the plant, can have THC levels that are much higher than regular cannabis buds.
The THC concentration in a given product also depends on how it was produced. For example, THC levels are higher in sinsemilla (seeds-less) than in regular cannabis buds because sinsemilla plants have been selectively bred to produce more THC. Similarly, hydro (hydroponically grown) and greenhouse-grown cannabis tends to have higher THC levels than plants grown outdoors.
The strength of the effects that users experience also depends on many factors, including their tolerance to THC, the amount they have consumed, and whether they have consumed it with other drugs or alcohol.
How is THC measured?
The THC levels in cannabis determine how strong its effects will be. THC is measured in two different ways: by weight and by concentration.
The weight of THC is the actual amount of the chemical compound present in a given amount of cannabis. For example, if a cannabis sample weighs 1 gram and contains 10% THC, then there is 1 mg (milligram) of THC in that sample.
The concentration of THC measures the amount of THC relative to the overall weight or volume of the product. For example, if a 1 gram cannabis sample contains 10% THC, then it has a concentration of 100 mg/g (milligrams per gram). If that same sample weighed 2 grams, it would have a concentration of 50 mg/g.
What are the effects of THC?
THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis and is responsible for the plant’s intoxicating effects. THC interacts with cannabinoid receptors throughout the brain and body to produce its effects. These effects can include relaxation, altered perception, increased appetite, and pain relief.
How long does THC stay in your system?
The effects of smoking cannabis can be felt within minutes and can last for several hours. However, THC can stay in your system for days or even weeks after last using it. Cannabis use is detectable through standard urine testing for up to two weeks after last using the drug, and hair follicle tests for up to three months.
How THC affects different people
How THC affects different people
Different people can react very differently to the same dose of THC. This is because THC affects everyone differently, depending on:
-Their height, weight, and body composition
-How often they use cannabis
-The strength (or potency) of the cannabis
-How they take it (smoked, inhaled, or ingested)
-Whether they have eaten before taking cannabis (THC is absorbed more slowly when taken on an empty stomach)
THC and drug testing
While THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, it is not the only one. Cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid with a wide range of therapeutic properties, but it does not have any psychoactive effects. CBD products are therefore popular among people who want the medical benefits of cannabis but do not want to get high.
The THC concentration in cannabis products varies widely, depending on the type of plant material used, the way it was grown, and how it was processed. For example, hashish (resin from the cannabis plant) can have THC concentrations as high as 90%. In contrast, marijuana that has been grown for its CBD content typically has very low concentrations of THC (<0.3%). THC is lipophilic, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils. It is therefore easily absorbed into the body through the gastrointestinal tract when ingested orally. In comparison, CBD is much less lipophilic and is not easily absorbed through the gut wall. For this reason, most CBD products are taken sublingually (under the tongue) or topically (applied to the skin). When smoked or vaporized, THC rapidly enters the bloodstream and causes potent psychoactive effects within minutes. These effects peak after 30-60 minutes and can last for several hours. When ingested orally, THC produces more subtle effects that peak after 2-4 hours and last for 4-12 hours. Because THC can be detected in urine for several days or even weeks after exposure, Cannabis use can lead to positive results on workplace drug tests even if the person smoked weeks earlier and is no longer intoxicated at work
Summary
In certain cannabis products, THC concentrations can be how high? It depends on the product, as well as the state in which it is being sold. Some states have higher THC limits than others. For example, Colorado currently has a limit of 100 milligrams of THC per product, while California has a limit of 10 milligrams of THC per product.
