It can sometimes seem like as soon as you understand a new hemp-derived product, another hits the market that you know nothing about. We experienced that with Delta-8, Delta-9, and Delta-10 THC, and we’re now seeing it again with THC-O Acetate.
THC-O Acetate, which is also called THCOA, is a cannabinoid made from Delta-8 THC compounds. It’s a semi-synthetic derivative that doesn’t occur naturally in cannabis plants and was first encountered by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration in 1978. While not a new product, it may be new to most hemp product users and enthusiasts alike.
Out of curiosity or a desire to try THCOA products like THC-O vape carts, you might have several questions. Read on to find the answers to some of the more popular questions before you add such products to your shopping cart.
How Is THC-O Acetate Made?
According to thehempdoctor.com, THC-O is a synthetic substance made in a lab using raw hemp. Most reputable THC-O product suppliers in the United States use American-grown hemp due to its purity and strict USDA growing standards.
CBD is extracted from the hemp plants and converted into Delta-8 THC. The manufacturer will then use a chemical process to add acetic anhydride to the Delta-8 THC to turn it into THC-O Acetate, or THCOA. This process must be performed in a lab for safety reasons.
Is THC-O Acetate Legal?
Before purchasing any product to use in or on your body, it’s essential to make sure it’s legal and THCOA is. When you read through the fine print of the 2018 Farm Bill, all parts of cannabis plants, including derivatives and isomers, are legal as long as they contain less than 0.3% THC.
Delta-8 is an isomer and derivative, which means it’s legal. THC-O Acetate is a derivative, which means it’s also legal. However, laws can vary across different states. Some states have not altered the bill in any way, but others have written additional language into law. This means that Delta-8 can be banned in some states, despite the federal ruling.
What Does It Feel Like to Use THC-O?
No one can tell you with any accuracy what you will feel when you try THCOA products for yourself. Everyone’s experiences and biochemistry are different, and most people will have different neurological experiences than their peers.
However, many people have said that inhaling THCOA vape products was a smooth, easy experience for them. Some people felt physiological relief from aches and pains, and other people enjoyed a lift in their mood, feelings of relaxation when inhaled in the evening, and increased focus.
When the time comes to purchase THC-O Acetate products for yourself, don’t be afraid to ask the supplier what you can expect for the most pleasant experience. While they can’t tell you in exact terms, they can share other people’s experiences with you.
Is THC-O Acetate Strong?
One of the many reasons why THCOA is popular is its potency. This legal cannabinoid is stronger than conventional THC, which means it’s important to take care when trying it for the first time.
Most reputable suppliers will recommend taking one short puff of vape oil and waiting between 15 and 30 minutes. You may not need to take another puff. It rarely kicks in immediately, so patience is required.
Where Is THC-O Acetate Legal?
As this product is relatively new and many states have made their own additions to the 2018 Farm Bill, there is no definitive list of states that have legalized it and banned it. It appears to remain legal in the majority of states, with potentially a dozen so far making it illegal, such as Utah, Vermont, Rhode Island, and New York.
Before purchasing THCOA products, find out if it’s legal in your state. If it is, you may have no problem finding a supplier online or in a physical establishment to purchase from.
What Is the Difference Between THC-O Acetate and CBD?
It’s easy to assume that CBD and THCOA are similar or even the same, but there are differences between the two. CBD doesn’t have the same psychoactive effects as THC-O does. You may purchase CBD products to see if you experience any health benefits, but you wouldn’t feel ‘high’ or a sense of euphoria as you may do with THCOA.
Can You Ship THC-O Through the Mail?
The U.S. Postal Service hasn’t always provided much clarity about which CBD and hemp products you can send in the mail, but in late 2024, they finally clarified their stance. Marijuana and hemp vape products are banned, subject to some exceptions. This information was published in the Federal Register, which states that even hemp vapes made from legal hemp are not to be sent in the mail, along with high-THC vapes.
However, there is some flexibility in the ‘exceptions’ part of that rule. Non-commercial adult users can make up to 10 shipments in 30 days. Hemp and CBD products may also be mailed as long as they are not in the form of e-cigarettes or battery-powered devices and contain less than 0.3% THC.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Use THC-O Products?
There aren’t any federal regulations about the minimum age you can be to buy THC-O specifically. However, most state regulations are that you have to be 21 years or older to purchase THC-O products on the internet and in a physical establishment. Twenty-one is also the legal drinking age in the United States.
Age restrictions may differ for each product type. For example, you might be able to use some CBD products like lotions in your state if you’re under 21, but not inhalable or smokable products like vaping oils and flower until you’re over the legal age for your state, which might be 18 or 21.
If you’re unsure which rules apply in your state, contact your nearest hemp product stockist to find out what you can and can’t purchase.
It’s not always easy to familiarize yourself with every new hemp and CBD product that hits the market. However, now that you have answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, you may be in a much better position to make an informed choice.