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THC
Also known as: tetrahydrocannabinol, THCA, delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Facts (68)
Sources
Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of ... frontiersin.org Jan 25, 2022 27 facts
claimA common misconception among hemp growers is that cross-pollination of marijuana pollen onto female hemp plants immediately increases the THC concentration in the current hemp crop.
referenceAbiotic and biotic stressors are the most likely cause of high THC instances in hemp, according to Hakim et al. (1986).
claimLydon et al. (1987) found that floral and leaf THC levels increased in drug-type plants following 40 days of daily UV-B exposure.
claimCannabis spp. is classified into two categories: marijuana, which is high in Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and hemp, which contains less than 0.3% THC.
claimOutdoor hemp clones can become pollinated and exceed allowable THC limits, despite being genetically identical to the mother plant.
claimThe genetic regulation underlying THC biosynthesis is not fully understood because THC concentration is a polygenic trait determined by multiple genetic factors.
perspectiveA common misconception in the cannabis industry is that cross-pollination from high-THC marijuana plants causes hemp crops to become 'hot' (high in THC) and therefore illegal.
accountIn Oregon, a hemp farm was required to destroy its crop of female plants due to high THC levels attributed to cross-pollination from a neighboring marijuana cultivation containing male plants.
referenceCannabinoids THCA and CBDA are generated via a common pathway utilizing cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), which is acted upon by THCA synthase or CBDA synthase, according to Tahir et al. (2021).
accountA hemp grower in Yuma, Colorado, was forced to destroy an entire field of hemp after the plants experienced a 3.17% spike in THC levels.
claimIf a hemp crop exceeds 0.3% Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration, the plant materials must be disposed of, resulting in the loss of the grower's economic investment.
claimClose monitoring of growth conditions is necessary to ensure high cannabinoid yields while maintaining low THC levels by minimizing environmental stressors.
measurementMarijuana pollen grains contain Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) at a concentration of 0.16 g%, which is below the 0.3% THC limit for hemp.
claimIncreased THC levels in drug-type plants are hypothesized to account for physiological and morphological tolerances to UV-B radiation.
referenceComplete genome sequencing on hemp and marijuana has identified the chromosomal location of the THCA synthase gene, which catalyzes the formation of THCA from CBGA, and has identified evolutionary events causing copy number variation in THCA genes.
claimHigh THC levels in a hemp field can be caused by environmental stressors (such as light spectrums and water deficit), the use of highly heterozygous seeds containing high THC alleles, or the use of seeds resulting from hemp cross-pollinated with marijuana.
referenceDeventer M. V. (2018) authored an article titled 'Hot hemp: how high THC levels can ruin a legal hemp harvest', which examines the implications of high THC levels for legal hemp cultivation.
procedureThe USDA final rule requires that hemp crops be tested for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration within 30 days prior to the anticipated harvest.
claimMagagnini et al. (2018) found that UV-A radiation increases THC levels in cannabis plants.
claimHemp THC levels can exceed 0.3% upon receiving external and internal cues, even if initial testing certifies the variety produces less than 0.3% THC.
claimThe 2018 Farm Bill established the legal definition of hemp as cannabis with a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of less than 0.3%.
claimHemp varieties are designed for high CBD production while maintaining THC levels below 0.3%.
claimFew hemp varieties have reached the state of being genetically homozygous, which correlates with near-zero percent THC attributions in their genetics.
measurementCaplan et al. (2019) demonstrated that subjecting cannabis plants to drought for 11 days during the flowering stage increases THC levels by 50% and CBD levels by 67%.
referenceLaverty et al. (2019) published 'A physical and genetic map of Cannabis sativa identifies extensive rearrangements at the THC/CBD acid synthase loci' in Genome Research, mapping genetic rearrangements related to THC and CBD production.
measurementCampbell et al. (2019) found that genetics account for 80% of THC variation and 83% of CBD variation in cannabis, while environmental conditions account for 1.7% of THC variation and 6% of CBD variation.
claimHemp cultivation exceeding legal THC limits is caused by cross-pollination only if the seeds used were the result of cross-pollination.
Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and broader neuroplasticity link.springer.com Dec 19, 2024 14 facts
procedureParolaro's research group utilized a chronic, escalating THC regimen in rats administered twice daily across three age windows: 2.5 mg/kg during P35–P37, 5 mg/kg during P38–P41, and 10 mg/kg during P42–P45.
measurementIn a review of 21 in vitro and in vivo studies on cannabinoids, researchers identified the use of five specific cannabinoids: synthetic compounds HU210 (23.8%), Win55212-2 (9.5%), and O-2545 (4.7%); the endocannabinoid AEA (14.2%); and THC (61.9%).
claimChronic THC exposure during adolescence decreases both the proliferation and survival rates of adult-born granule cells in female rats.
claimTHC dosages in research studies vary greatly, with some studies administering high doses up to 30 mg/kg, which are not considered therapeutic in humans and may be excessive even for individuals with high tolerance, as noted by Downer et al. (2007), Kochman et al. (2006), and Karila et al. (2014).
claimLeishman et al. (2018) found that a single 3 mg/kg THC injection administered to female rats at ages P35, P60, and P90 resulted in reduced endocannabinoid levels across the brain, with the most significant impact observed in the adult hippocampus.
referenceCuccurazzu B, Zamberletti E, Nazzaro C, Prini P, Trusel M, Grilli M, Parolaro D, Tonini R, and Rubino T published 'Adult Cellular neuroadaptations Induced by adolescent THC exposure in female rats are rescued by enhancing Anandamide Signaling' in the 'International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology'.
claimChronic THC exposure during adolescence reduces cell proliferation in female rats, an effect that is prevented by the FAAH inhibitor URB597.
measurementThe synthetic cannabinoid HU210 has a potency 100–800 times higher than THC.
claimChronic THC exposure during adolescence reduces BDNF levels via the CREB pathway in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of male rats, while paradoxically increasing BDNF in the nucleus accumbens of female rats.
claimThe relationship between THC and neurogenesis appears negative in the literature, though findings are conflicting among different study designs.
claimBeiersdorf et al. (2020) reported that prenatal THC exposure (1 or 5 mg/kg from P5–P16 or P5–P35) caused severe deficits in mitochondrial function in rats at P48 and P120.
claimChronic THC exposure during adolescence disrupts dopaminergic transmission in several brain regions, indicating systemic consequences of cannabis abuse during this developmental period.
referenceDemirakca et al. (2011) conducted a case-control study examining the balance of CBD and THC phytocannabinoids in hair samples and their relationship to hippocampal mass.
referenceN. Realini et al. reported that chronic URB597 treatment at adulthood reverted most depressive-like symptoms induced by adolescent exposure to THC in female rats, as published in Neuropharmacology in 2011.
Hemp vs. marijuana: Cross-pollination concerns grow | Verisk verisk.com 9 facts
measurementPollination of female hemp or marijuana plants can result in a 56 percent reduction in oil production, specifically regarding CBD or THC content.
claimIndustrial hemp products containing less than 0.3 percent delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) do not produce psychoactive effects associated with consumption.
referenceThe USDA interim rules for hemp production address procedures for collecting data on hemp cultivation, testing THC levels, disposing of plants that exceed allowable THC levels, licensing requirements, and handling violations.
claimIndustrial hemp is defined as any part of the cannabis plant with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
referenceThe USDA's 'Establishment of a Domestic Hemp Production Program' interim rules address procedures for collecting data on hemp production locations, testing THC levels, disposing of plants exceeding allowable THC levels, licensing requirements, and handling violations.
reference7 U.S.C. § 5940 defines industrial hemp as the plant Cannabis sativa L. with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of not more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis.
claimIndustrial hemp products containing less than 0.3 percent THC are considered to have no psychoactive effects associated with their consumption.
claimEdible hemp products do not contain enough THC to produce a psychoactive effect in humans.
measurementA study showed a 56 percent reduction in oil content (CBD or THC) in female plants if they are pollinated.
A critical review of industrial fiber hemp anatomy, agronomic ... bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu 7 facts
procedureIf harvested hemp exceeds the 0.3% THC threshold, the relevant Department of Agriculture advises the producer on proper disposal techniques.
accountIn 2019, many U.S. hemp growers were forced to destroy their crops after the plants exceeded the legal THC limit of 0.3%.
claimCultivars of hemp with extremely low concentrations of the psychoactive compound THC have been legal in the United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland, and Germany since the 1990s.
claimHemp inflorescences contain various cannabinoids and secondary metabolites, including THC, non-hallucinogenic CBD, monoterpenoids, and sesquiterpenoids.
claimEarly harvesting is recommended to avoid excessive total THC levels in hemp.
claimIndustrial hemp is defined by the US Food and Drug Administration as Cannabis with a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration of 0.3% or less, while Cannabis with THC content above 0.3% is classified as marijuana.
procedureHemp growers must report total THC levels at least 15 days prior to harvesting to ensure that the total THC is lower than the 0.3% threshold, as determined by laboratory testing.
the consumption of psychoactive plants in ancient global and ... academia.edu 3 facts
claimA 1995 tissue distribution analysis by Parsche and Nerlich revealed THC concentrations in ancient Egyptian mummy lung tissue that are consistent with habitual inhalation.
claimPsychoactive ingredients used in religious rituals include narcotic analgesics (opium), THC (cannabis), psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), ibogaine (Tabernanthe iboga), DMT (Ayahuasca and phalaris species), Peganum harmala, bufotenin, muscimol (Amanita muscaria), thujone (absinthe, Arthemisia absinthium), ephedra, mandragora, star lotus, and Salvia divinorum.
claimCommon psychoactive ingredients historically used include psilocybin, THC, and ibogaine, which have influenced psychological and philosophical perspectives.
Weighing the risk of cannabis cross-pollination - Hemp Production canr.msu.edu Jul 12, 2019 2 facts
Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of ... researchgate.net Jan 26, 2022 1 fact
claimThe belief that hemp becomes "hot" (high in THC) if it is cross-pollinated by high-THC cannabis is a misconception according to the paper 'Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of Cannabis spp'.
Myths and realities of hemp and cross-pollination - Marijuana Venture marijuanaventure.com Feb 10, 2015 1 fact
claimIndustrial hemp is non-psychoactive and contains a higher ratio of CBD to THC compared to marijuana.
“Plants of the Gods” and their hallucinogenic powers in ... surgicalneurologyint.com Jul 19, 2021 1 fact
claimTHC alters mood and cognition by binding to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and potentially through the indirect release of dopamine.
Psychedelic Drugs News - ScienceDaily sciencedaily.com 1 fact
claimTetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, poses risks to the developing brain.
Unknown source 1 fact
claimThe article 'Industry-Based Misconceptions Regarding Cross-Pollination of ...' published in Frontiers in Plant Science refutes the misconception that cross-pollination increases THC levels in cannabis plants by identifying alternative methods that contribute to high THC levels.
Hallucinogenic Plant - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics sciencedirect.com 1 fact
claimThe ScienceDirect topic overview on hallucinogenic plants identifies THC as an example of a hallucinogenic plant.