Drug Entrepreneurs Convert Hemp into Variants of THC

Posted on February 10, 2022 View all news

by Jesse LeBlanc, a mechanical engineer with experience in the chemical industry and a member of our Board of Directors

CBD, which is federally legal today under the protection of the 2018 Farm Bill, can be converted –or “isomerized”–into various THC derivatives. These derivatives – easily available at any smoke shop, convenience store, or gas station – are now being made 3 times stronger by the “acetylation” process. Let’s take a minute and look at why this is a “big deal” and needs to be addressed.

Because of the isomerization and acetylation processes, federally legal CBD-based products are being chemically altered and can cause dangerous mental and physical impairments to users. Because of the isomerization and acetylation processes, federally legal CBD-based products are getting people higher than ever. Today, any person can easily purchase CBD-derived Delta-8-THC, Delta-10-THC, and acetylated THC products, such as vape cartridges, either locally or online. Since these derivatives can have side effects and consequences similar to those of Delta-9-THC products, it is important that the legal loopholes be halted, and that regulations are developed and enforced.

How does the chemistry happen exactly? Let’s take a look.

To begin, the word “cannabinoids” refers to the many naturally occurring chemical compounds in cannabis plants, namely hemp, and marijuana. There are thought to be hundreds of cannabinoids in hemp and marijuana ranging from small to large amounts. The two most well-known cannabinoids are CBD from the hemp plant and THC from the marijuana plant. THC is also known as Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol or Delta-9-THC.

It is important to understand that an “isomer” is a molecule that has the exact same molecular formula as another molecule. What is different about these two molecules is the arrangement of the atoms, which causes each to behave somewhat differently in the human body. “Isomerization” is a chemical process whereby one isomer can be transformed structurally into another isomer by the use of other chemicals, such as an acid and solvent.

Today, CBD, which is now federally legal, can be isomerized into various THC derivatives. These derivatives include Delta-8-THC, Delta-9-THC, and Delta-10-THC. All of these have the exact same molecular formula and are therefore isomers of one another. The structural arrangement of the atoms of each molecule is what differentiates one from another. What is concerning about this process are the many byproducts and unknowns that remain behind after the isomerization process has finished.

Delta-8-THC and Delta-10-THC are considered to be legal because they are derived from federally legal hemp. The current loopholes give vape shops and gas stations a means of selling THC in the states where marijuana isn’t legal. In some states where weed is legal, consumers avoid paying state taxes on “regulated” marijuana by buying the Delta analogs. Fortunately, many states have recently banned or restricted the sale of these chemicals because of the expected health risks. Other states should do the same. The FDA also recently issued a warning about the health risks of Delta-8-THC.

Another chemical process being applied to convert hemp-derived CBD into an even more potent THC product is called acetylation, which uses the chemical acetic anhydride. Acetylation is the same chemical process that is used to convert morphine into heroin. In the creation of heroin, acetylation increases the potency of morphine 2 to 4 times, which in turn, increases its addictiveness. Little is known if acetylated THC derivatives are more addictive, but increased addictiveness and potency are hallmarks of heroin when compared to morphine.

We do know that acetylated Delta-9-THC is about 3 times more potent than an organic product. Acetylated Delta-9-THC, also known as THC-O, THC-O acetate, or simply THC acetate, was found to be so potent that it was even considered by the US Army as a possible chemical warfare agent that could be used to incapacitate enemy troops during the Cold War.

It is not a stretch to believe that the cannabis industry will begin to apply the acetylation process to a variety of the CBD & THC analogs in order to make a family of very powerful and addicting drugs that can literally fly under the current regulatory framework focused on only regulating Delta-9-THC. In fact, some manufacturers are already making THC-O acetate directly from synthesized Delta-8-THC versus naturally occurring Delta-9-THC. Given how the acetylation process generally increases the strength of a drug two to four-fold, it is easy to see that Delta 8-based THC-O acetate will be just as intoxicating and addictive as marijuana-derived Delta-9-THC. We are already starting to see the devastating results of this in Josh’s Story and Brian’s Story. Sadly, few in government are doing anything about it.

References:

1: https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/natural-products/Delta-8-THC-craze-concerns/99/i31

2: https://extractionmagazine.com/2020/03/21/the-bizarre-crystallization-of-%CE%B410-thc/

3: https://www.hempgrower.com/article/thc-o-acetate-q-and-a-dr-ethan-russo-credo-science/

4: https://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/topicreview/bp/ch12/isomers.php

5: https://www.who.int/medicines/access/controlled-substances/IsomersTHC.pdf

6: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/cti-2020-0017/html

7:https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/5-things-know-about-delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol-delta-8-thc

8: https://www.bayer.com/sites/default/files/110713-bayerpharma-brosch-en-web.pdf

9: https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/regulatory/experts-concerned-over-unstudied-compounds-delta-8-thc-products

10: https://www.naturalproductsinsider.com/supply-chain/hemp-cbd-oversupply-has-farmers-questioning-their-2021-strategy

11: https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-is-delta-8