What is THC-O & How Is It Different From THC?
There are a lot of products on the market today, and there are new ones coming out every year. One of the products we’ve seen get a popularity boost is THC-O. In this guide, we’re going to give you all the details you need to know about this synthetic cannabinoid, including:
- What is THC-O?
- What are the Possible Effects of THC-O?
- Is THC-O Legal?
- THC-O vs Delta-8 THC: What’s the Difference?
- THC-O vs Delta-9 THC: What’s the Difference?
- FAQs About THC-O
What is THC-O?
Tetrahydrocannabinol-O-acetate, also known as THC-O or THCO-acetate is a controversial cannabinoid that has gained some attention in recent years. This compound does not occur naturally in the cannabis plant. Rather, it is created in a lab as a result of a chemical reaction when THC is mixed with an acetyl group. The result is a manmade cannabinoid that can be up to three-times stronger than THC.1
What are the Possible Effects of THC-O?
Since THC-O does not exist in the cannabis plant, products containing this synthetic compound will need to be ingested and make its way through the digestive system. However, when THC-O is broken down by your liver and metabolized, it becomes an incredibly strong dose of Delta-9 THC.2 So what does this mean? It means that you will feel a much stronger high with THC-O than you may with a Delta-9 THC product.3
It also means that that process takes longer than your Delta-9 products that do not require a stop in the liver before you start feeling their effects.2 Because of this, you should give yourself as long as you would an edible to start feeling THC-O effects and resist any urge you might have to double up on your dose because you don’t feel anything right away.3
You may also hear that THC-O has a psychedelic effect to it, similar to psilocybin.4 This has been proven false through a study done at the University of Buffalo. Researchers noted that 79% of the study’s participants reported no or very little effects that could be described as psychedelic.5
Is THC-O Legal?
THC-O’s legality status is complicated.6 Technically speaking, the compound used to make THC-O can be harvested from hemp, and hemp, in most states, is legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.7 That said, the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has been keeping a close eye on this synthetic form of THC, and they aren’t happy. In fact, they’ve warned that the fact that THC-O is manmade means that it is not covered under that bill and, therefore, illegal.6
THC-O vs Delta-8 THC: What’s the Difference?
Both THC-O and Delta-8 are products created from the hemp plant. While Delta-8 does occur naturally, it’s usually not at a high enough dose, so manufacturers will create Delta-8 from other compounds in hemp. THC-O, on the other hand, does not occur naturally in any form within the hemp plant, so it must be created in a lab.8
The other difference between THC-O and Delta-8 THC is potency. Delta-8 can create a psychoactive effect that you would expect from cannabis, but it’s typically more mild than its cousin cannabinoid. THC-O, however, is much more potent than Delta-8, and because it has to be metabolized by the liver before you can feel its effects, it has a longer ramp up time.8
THC-O vs Delta-9 THC: What’s the Difference?
The biggest difference between THC-O and Delta-9 THC is that THC-O is synthetic, or manmade, and Delta-9 occurs naturally in the marijuana plant.1 (THC occurs when THCA is decarboxylated.) Once your body processes THC-O in the liver, it turns it into a potent dose of Delta-9. This means you’ll want to give THC-O time to work compared to your normal Delta-9 products.
FAQs about THC-O
Anytime you put “THC” in the name of a product, people get curious and ask a lot of questions. Here are a few answers you might be looking for:
Can I make THC-O at home?
No. Because the process to make THC-O requires professional equipment and industrial chemicals, you should never try to make THC-O at home.
Is THC-O the same as Delta-8?
No. Delta-8 is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in marijuana. THC-O is a much stronger man-made form of THC.8
Is THC-O strong?
Yes. THC-O is roughly three times stronger than the THC we know and love, Delta-9 THC.1
More About THC-O
If you’re interested in experiencing THC-O, we recommend you only purchase it from a licensed dispensary. That way, you know you’re getting a high-quality, and most importantly, safe product. Talk to your budtender the next time you visit to see the THC-O products in stock.
Sources:
1. “THC-O: Uses, Legality & Side Effects,” MarijuanaBreak, July 3, 2025, https://marijuanabreak.com/cannabis/science/thc-o/
2. “THC-O: Everything you need to know,” Weedmaps, https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/what-is-thco
3. “THC-O Acetate Q&A with Dr. Ethan Russo: ‘Don’t Go There,’ Cannabis Business Times, August 3, 2021, https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/interviews-opinion/news/15693754/thc-o-acetate-qa-with-dr-ethan-russo-dont-go-there
4. “Study: Most Users Experience Little to No Psychedelic Effects from THC-O-Acetate,” High Times, July 17, 2023, https://hightimes.com/study/study-most-users-experience-little-to-no-psychedelic-effects-from-thc-o-acetate/
5. “THC-O-Acetate: Scarce Evidence for a Psychedelic Cannabinoid,” Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, March 11, 2023, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02791072.2023.2230573
6. “What is THC-O? Similar to Delta-8, it's making waves in the cannabis market,” USA Today, June 2, 2023, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/06/02/what-is-thco/70252031007/
7. “Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill,” U.S. Food & Drug Administration, https://www.fda.gov/news-events/congressional-testimony/hemp-production-and-2018-farm-bill-07252019
8. “THC-O vs Delta-8 THC: What’s the Difference?,” Leafwell, May 23, 2025, https://leafwell.com/blog/thc-o-vs-delta-8
Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.