The Different Types of THC

The next time you see THC listed on a hemp-derived product, you may want to pay close attention to the details. There is more than just delta 9 THC! There are many types of THC, and each of them has something to offer! Today, we’re going to look at the different types of THC. When we’re finished, you’ll know exactly which type of THC product you should try and why!

What Is THC?

THC is short for tetrahydrocannabinol, the scientific name of the THC compound. The cannabis plant contains more than 110 chemical compounds called cannabinoids. Each cannabinoid creates a unique reaction in the body when taken.  

What makes THC so popular is its psychoactive properties. When taken, THC binds to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the body’s endocannabinoid system to cause the user to feel high. This makes THC one of the most popular cannabinoids of the cannabis plant.

THC is also the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, with delta 9 THC being the most abundant isomer. We’ll discuss the different types of delta THC, as well as the other forms of THC, as we continue.  

What Are the Different Types of THC?

There are five types of THC found in the cannabis plant. They include delta 8, delta 9, THCa, THCv, and THCp.

Here is a deeper look at each type of THC and what makes them different from each other.   

Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 THC is a minor THC isomer in the cannabis plant. It is legal to purchase in states that have legalized THC products when they contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.

Delta 8 THC is considered a minor cannabinoid because it is not found as abundantly as delta 9 THC. Because of this, the extraction process can cause the psychoactive effects of delta 8 THC to be milder than delta 9 THC.  

Delta 8 THC has psychoactive properties that cause the user to feel relaxed and happy. It’s also common for users to feel sleepy or drowsy after taking delta 8 THC products.

Delta 9 THC

Delta 9 THC is the most abundant THC isomer in the cannabis plant. Many THC products for sale contain delta 9 THC because it is the most abundant THC isomer found in the cannabis plant. Delta 9 THC was the first THC isomer to become legalized by the 2018 Farm Bill.  

When the Farm Bill was signed into law in 2018, hemp-derived THC products became legal as long as they contain no more than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis.  

There are many intoxicating effects that people enjoy when using delta 9 THC products. They include the following:

• Tranquility
• Relaxation
• Elation
• Jubilation
• Increased laughter
• Increased mood
• Increased appetite

THCa

THCa is short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It is the most abundant and non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. THCa can be used in its natural form to create a calming and relaxing experience for users; however, most users will heat THCa to turn it into delta 9 THC.

The heating process turns THCa into delta 9 THC to give it psychoactive properties. This process of heating THCa is called decarboxylation. During decarboxylation, THCa binds with the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the brain to create an intoxicating effect. Without this heating process, THCa wouldn’t have any psychoactive effects on the body.

THCa should be used if you want to try THC products without experiencing the psychoactive effects. THCa will allow you to enjoy a calming and relaxing experience.

THCv

THCv is short for tetrahydrocannabivarin. THCv is produced when THCa is broken down. The effects of THCv are generally much shorter than the effects of delta 9 THC products. They can also be much milder than delta 9 products as well. THCv is a good choice if you’re just starting out using THC products.

THCp

Just recently discovered in 2019 is THCp. It is short for tetrahydrocannabiphorol. Once THCp was discovered, scientists instantly detected its intense psychoactive properties. This is because THCp binds to the receptors in the brain 33 times more than delta 9 THC. This makes THCp more potent than delta 9 THC.

It goes without saying that it doesn’t take as much TCH-P to experience psychoactive effects as it takes for delta 9 THC. Because of this, the serving size of THC is generally much less than delta 9 THC products.

Is Delta 10 a Type of THC?

The amount of delta 10 found in the cannabis plant is extremely small, and it has to be mixed with other substances to create a delta 10 product. This causes delta 10 to have additions that may not come directly from the cannabis plant. Because of this, we didn’t include delta 10 THC as one of the primary types on this list. 

Choosing the Right THC Product

Now that you have learned about the different types of THC, it’s time to talk about the different effects of each type of THC product you can choose. You can choose a THC product with mild psychoactive properties or a THC product with more intense effects.

Think about the type of experience you want to have. This will help you decide which type of THC product is the best for you to choose.  

Delta 9 THC is the most abundant THC isomer found in cannabis, so it is found in most THC or full-spectrum CBD products. Take a look at some of the THC products available to choose from to make your decision.

The best THC product for a mild psychoactive experience is delta 8 THC or THCa. Delta 8 THC contains psychoactive properties while THCa doesn’t (unless heated); however, they both generally have very mild psychoactive effects. On the other hand, THCp will give you the most intense experience if this is what you’re going for.  

Are These Types of THC Products Legal?

The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the production and use of hemp-derived products. This includes delta 9 THC. Because delta 9 THC is the most abundant isomer of THC, it generally acts as an umbrella for all types of THC, including THCa, THCp, and THCv. The Farm Bill requires that all hemp-derived products only contain 0.3% or less THC on a dry weight basis for it to be legal.  

Do All Types of THC Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes—drug tests will detect THC regardless of its form or origin. THC products purchased legally can still appear on a drug test. Any type of THC will appear on a drug test, even if the product has been purchased and taken legally.

CBD Living THC Products

The products in our online store are legal to purchase and contain the legal amount of THC. You should always follow the recommended serving size of the product to enjoy the effects. The effects of THC products can be felt as soon as 30 minutes, but it may also take as long as 90 minutes for the effects to be felt. Once the effects begin, you should expect them to last between 3 and 5 hours.

Final Thoughts

There are many types of THC products you can try, and they each have something to offer. If you want mild psychoactive effects, you should choose delta 8 THC or THCa without heating it. If you want the most intense experience, you should choose THCp. Just make sure you always take the product's recommended serving size to enjoy the entire experience.