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How Many Different Types of THCs Are There on the Market? (Which One is the Strongest?)
Delta THCs and other forms of tetrahydrocannabinol are everywhere on the market!
A lot of cannabis users are very familiar with Delta 9 THC and the effects it has on our bodies and mind. At a basic level, an average cannabis consumer recognizes that the major psychoactive compound present in cannabis is THC – it is responsible for the high feeling one gets after cannabis use.
However, what many consumers don’t know is the number of THCs there are. So, in this article, we’ll briefly talk about 15 distinct THC compounds. Although more THCs still exist, these 15 are the most common ones. Let’s begin!
THCA – Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid
THCA is the natural THC present in all raw marijuana plants. However, once raw cannabis is heated THCA frees its carboxylic acid group, transforming to delta 9 THC. This entire process is called decarboxylation.
THCA can be found everywhere in a cannabis plant. It is present in the leaves, flowers, and stems. The psychoactive effects of THCA in itself are minimal, so don’t expect much from it. Although some chew on the stems and leaves to get some relaxing effects. However, once decarboxylation occurs, the mind-altering psychoactive effects come into play
Delta 3 to 7
‘Delta’ is a term used in chemistry to signify the location of a double bond on a carbon chain molecule. When it comes to THC, there are many variations. For instance, with the popular delta 9, the double bond is on the 9th carbon chain. This means the location of a double on a carbon chain gives an entirely different variety of THC.
This means Delta 7 THC, Delta 6 THC, Delta 5 THC, Delta 4 THC, and Delta 3 THC are synthetic isomers of Delta 9 THC. These isomers were formulated in the lab between 1940 and 1970 to create various THC versions that could medically help patients. Not just that, different variants were also created to tackle problems like stability and shelf life.
The most common type of THC is Delta 9. When people talk about THC more times than not, they are referring to Delta 9 THC. This is because it is the primary psychoactive compound present in cannabis plants.
But what happens when Delta 9 ages? Well, when Delta 9 THC degrades and oxidizes, what we get is a large quantity of CBN (a cannabinoid) and a small amount of Delta 8 and other travel compounds and cannabinoids. This oxidation gives Delta 8 a more stable property, causing it to have more medical applications compared to Delta 9. However, Delta 8 THC is naturally available in minute amounts in cannabis plants, so it is often synthesized in the lab.
As for Delta 10 THC, it is a completely synthesized cannabinoid discovered through serendipity. The Delta 10 THC trend kicked off in California when Fusion Farms accidentally produced crystals that were slightly different from the usual cannabinoids. Hence, the new THC synthesized was dubbed delta 10 THC.
11-hydroxy-THC is not a cannabinoid when examined closely. It is more of a metabolite our bodies create when we consume THC in a specific way. When plant-based THCs like delta 9 or delta 8 THC are eaten, the body digests them and metabolizes them courtesy of the liver. The resulting metabolite formed is 11-hydroxy-THC, a more powerful tetrahydrocannabinols than delta 8 and delta 9.
This entire process is called the first-pass metabolism and this is why orally ingesting cannabis products gives a prolonged and more intense effect than smoking. For this reason, delta 8 edibles are just as potent as delta-9 edibles but similar things can’t be said to go vape or flower products.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin, or THCV is a naturally occurring THC analog. It comes from the breakdown of CBGVA, a precursor cannabinoid into tetrahydrocannabivarin acid (THCVA). An interesting thing about THCV is its interaction with the endocannabinoid system and its effects on weight and appetite.
Meanwhile, Tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP) is a distinct THC analog-type known as a homolog. Homologs are molecules that belong to a compound series that differs by a reacting unit from each other. In this case, the alkyl side chain is the repeating unit. While Delta 9 THC has an alkyl side chain of 5 terms, that is, it has 5 carbon atoms in total, THCP has an alkyl side chain of 7 terms.
THC-O
THC-O-Acetate is a byproduct of a distinct decarboxylation type known as LTA decarboxylation. This decarboxylation process is quite different from the usual light or best-induced decarboxylation method. LTA decarboxylation makes use of lead tetraacetate, a very toxic compound to stimulate oxidative decarboxylation which results in the formation of acetate ester.
THC-O is not naturally occurring and can only be manufactured using this process. To this end, THC-O is a synthetic delta 9 analogs. While it has gained some popularity, it is vital to note that it is a compound present in any quantity in the cannabis plant.
Just Discovered – THCB and THC
delta 9 Tetrahydrocannabihexol or Tetrahydrocannabihexol, and cannabidiol (CBDh) were discovered by the same group of Italian scientists who first isolated CBDP and THCP. These phytocannabinoids were discovered in 2020, and that was found to be a hexyl delta 9 THC homolog. Instead of an alkyl side chain like most THCs, THCh holds an n-hexyl side chain.
A similar situation also applies to THCB (tetrahydrocannabutol). While little information is available on this THC, it is also a delta 9 THC homolog but the major difference is the alkyl side chain being replaced by a butyl side chain.
So, which THC is the strongest?
The answer to this question isn’t straightforward. Referring to the strongest THC depends on some factors. Is it in terms of consumption methods or product types? To further elaborate, if what you need is the strongest smokable THC, then the answer would be THC- I. The downside here is that the THC is completely synthetic and its long-term effects remain unknown.
On the other hand, if you need a naturally occurring THC, then THCP would be the most powerful. Sadly, it comes in trace amounts, so you won’t find plenty of it in raw flowers. Thankfully, THCP usually comes in concentrates so you can just buy that. However, if you like to eat edibles, 11-hydroxy-THC is your best bet since it is a very potent metabolite form of delta 8 and delta 9 THC. But if you don’t like edibles, you will be having none of 11-hydroxy-THC.
Conclusion
In today’s market, varieties of cannabinoids are certainly not lacking. However, a lot of these THCs are not pharmaceutically or commercially available but it’s a joy to know that varied variants of psychoactive compounds are constantly being discovered.
Business
A Tipping Point for Cannabis: President Trump Champions CBD & Cannabis Science on Truth Social
When the President of the United States shares a video about the life changing potential of hemp derived CBD on his personal social media platform, it is more than news, it is a cultural shift.
For decades our government lied to us about cannabis. It demonized the plant, waged war on its users, and filled prisons while allowing pharmaceutical companies to flood the nation with addictive and deadly drugs. For over a century we have been fighting uphill, not just for legalization, but for truth, for science, and for the right to heal ourselves naturally.
Now in 2025, the most powerful political figure on Earth is using his own voice and platform to talk about the endocannabinoid system and the science backed benefits of CBD. That is monumental. It is validation for everyone who has fought, been arrested, been silenced, and been dismissed for telling this truth. The President’s video post is already being described as a pivotal moment in cannabis history, and President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social is trending across platforms as advocates celebrate the breakthrough.
The Science Behind the Endocannabinoid System
The video begins by introducing something most people, including many doctors, still know little about, the endocannabinoid system. Discovered in the 1990s, the ECS is a network of receptors and signaling molecules that works as the body’s master regulator, coordinating communication between major systems like the nervous, immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.
The roots of this discovery go back much further. CBD was first isolated in 1940 by American chemist Roger Adams, but it was Dr. Raphael Mechoulam, an Israeli organic chemist, who fully elucidated the chemical structure of CBD and identified its stereochemistry in the 1960s. His pioneering work not only opened the door to modern cannabinoid science but also earned him the title “Godfather of Cannabis Research.” It was this foundation that led to the identification of the endocannabinoid system itself decades later, revealing how cannabinoids interact with our physiology on a fundamental level.
The ECS is now widely recognized as a vital part of human biology, with extensive research supported by the National Institutes of Health. When functioning properly, the ECS acts like the conductor of an orchestra, ensuring every section plays in harmony. As we age, the system weakens. That imbalance is linked to inflammation, chronic pain, cognitive decline, sleep problems, and many other conditions associated with aging.
Mainstream medicine often addresses these issues with pharmaceutical band aids, dangerous and addictive drugs that treat symptoms rather than root causes. Lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise help, but they only partially support the ECS and do so slowly over time.
Hemp Derived CBD: A Game Changer for Aging
Here is where the science gets exciting. As the video explains, the ECS can be restored much more quickly with hemp derived CBD. Strengthening this system naturally helps the body regain balance, reducing pain, improving sleep, lowering stress, slowing disease progression, and even extending healthy lifespan.
It is not theoretical. One in five seniors is already using CBD to manage pain, arthritis, cancer symptoms, sleep disorders, Alzheimer’s, and more. Despite decades of research and acknowledgment from institutions like the National Institutes of Health, most physicians receive no training on the ECS. There are still no FDA standards for CBD products on the market. If that were the case for any other class of medicine, it would be considered malpractice.
The World Health Organization has confirmed CBD’s excellent safety profile and non addictive nature in its critical review report. The result is that millions of older Americans are suffering unnecessarily when a safe and natural solution exists.
Hemp derived CBD is a powerful first step in restoring balance to the endocannabinoid system, but it is only part of the picture. Research shows that full spectrum cannabis extracts, which include a broader range of cannabinoids and terpenes, can work even more effectively. Complete concentrated cannabis oil, containing the full spectrum of natural endocannabinoids, may deliver the most profound results for certain patients. Expanding access to these therapies will be essential if we want to unlock the full healing potential of this plant.
The Economic and Social Impact
The video cites a powerful figure. A PricewaterhouseCoopers analysis estimates that fully integrating cannabis into the healthcare system could save the United States nearly 64 billion dollars annually. These savings reflect reduced pharmaceutical dependency, fewer hospitalizations, improved chronic disease outcomes, and enhanced quality of life for aging Americans. You can read more about PwC’s research on healthcare innovation here.
It is a financial argument, but it is also a moral one. Why should our elders endure pain, anxiety, and cognitive decline when nature has given us tools to help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives?
A Call to Action: Finish What the Farm Bill Started
The message concludes by crediting the 2018 Farm Bill, championed by President Trump, for legalizing hemp and laying the groundwork for today’s CBD market. The Farm Bill was just the first step.
Now the call is for bold next moves.
- Educate doctors about the endocannabinoid system
- Include CBD under Medicare coverage
- Provide clear federal standards for CBD quality and dosing
These steps would constitute the most significant senior health reform in modern history, one that would transform aging and cement a powerful legacy for any administration that makes it happen.
What This Means for Future Cannabis Medicine
For those of us who have been in the cannabis community for decades, this is not just another news story. It is a signal that our movement is winning. A conversation that was once criminalized and censored is now being amplified by the President of the United States on his own platform.
It means the science is undeniable. It means the truth can no longer be buried. It means the wall of prohibition is cracking, not just legally, but culturally, scientifically, and politically.
It also means that everything we have been fighting for at 420 Magazine since 1993, education, access, healing, and justice, is finally moving full steam ahead. The President Trump CBD Cannabis Science Truth Social moment is proof that science and policy are finally converging.
New Mexico regulators fined a cannabis operator nearly $300,000 and revoked its license after the company allegedly created fake reports in the state’s traceability software.
The New Mexico Cannabis Control Division (CCD) accused marijuana manufacturer and retailer Golden Roots of 11 violations, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Golden Roots operates the The Cannabis Revolution Dispensary.
The majority of the violations are related to the Albuquerque company’s improper use of BioTrack, which has been New Mexico’s track-and-trace vendor since 2015.
The CCD alleges Golden Roots reported marijuana production only two months after it had received its vertically integrated license, according to Albuquerque Business First.
Because cannabis takes longer than two months to be cultivated, the CCD was suspicious of the report.
After inspecting the company’s premises, the CCD alleged Golden Roots reported cultivation, transportation and sales in BioTrack but wasn’t able to provide officers who inspected the site evidence that the operator was cultivating cannabis.
In April, the CCD revoked Golden Roots’ license and issued a $10,000 fine, according to the news outlet.
The company requested a hearing, which the regulator scheduled for Sept. 1.
At the hearing, the CCD testified that the company’s dried-cannabis weights in BioTrack were suspicious because they didn’t seem to accurately reflect how much weight marijuana loses as it dries.
Company employees also poorly accounted for why they were making adjustments in the system of up to 24 pounds of cannabis, making comments such as “bad” or “mistake” in the software, Albuquerque Business First reported.
Golden Roots was fined $298,972.05 – the amount regulators allege the company made selling products that weren’t properly accounted for in BioTrack.
The CCD has been cracking down on cannabis operators accused of selling products procured from out-of-state or not grown legally:
- Regulators alleged in August that Albuquerque dispensary Sawmill Sweet Leaf sold out-of-state products and didn’t have a license for extraction.
- Paradise Exotics Distro lost its license in July after regulators alleged the company sold products made in California.
Golden Roots was the first alleged rulebreaker in New Mexico to be asked to pay a large fine.
Source: https://mjbizdaily.com/new-mexico-cannabis-operator-fined-loses-license-for-alleged-biotrack-fraud/
Four marijuana companies, including a multistate operator, have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in which they allege the federal MJ prohibition under the Controlled Substances Act is no longer constitutional.
According to the complaint, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, retailer Canna Provisions, Treevit delivery service CEO Gyasi Sellers, cultivator Wiseacre Farm and MSO Verano Holdings Corp. are all harmed by “the federal government’s unconstitutional ban on cultivating, manufacturing, distributing, or possessing intrastate marijuana.”
Verano is headquartered in Chicago but has operations in Massachusetts; the other three operators are based in Massachusetts.
The lawsuit seeks a ruling that the “Controlled Substances Act is unconstitutional as applied to the intrastate cultivation, manufacture, possession, and distribution of marijuana pursuant to state law.”
The companies want the case to go before the U.S. Supreme Court.
They hired prominent law firm Boies Schiller Flexner to represent them.
The New York-based firm’s principal is David Boies, whose former clients include Microsoft, former presidential candidate Al Gore and Elizabeth Holmes’ disgraced startup Theranos.
Similar challenges to the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA) have failed.
One such challenge led to a landmark Supreme Court decision in 2005.
In Gonzalez vs. Raich, the highest court in the United States ruled in a 6-3 decision that the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to outlaw marijuana federally, even though state laws allow the cultivation and sale of cannabis.
In the 18 years since that ruling, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized adult-use marijuana and the federal government has allowed a multibillion-dollar cannabis industry to thrive.
Since both Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice, currently headed by Garland, have declined to intervene in state-licensed marijuana markets, the key facts that led to the Supreme Court’s 2005 ruling “no longer apply,” Boies said in a statement Thursday.
“The Supreme Court has since made clear that the federal government lacks the authority to regulate purely intrastate commerce,” Boies said.
“Moreover, the facts on which those precedents are based are no longer true.”
Verano President Darren Weiss said in a statement the company is “prepared to bring this case all the way to the Supreme Court in order to align federal law with how Congress has acted for years.”
While the Biden administration’s push to reschedule marijuana would help solve marijuana operators’ federal tax woes, neither rescheduling nor modest Congressional reforms such as the SAFER Banking Act “solve the fundamental issue,” Weiss added.
“The application of the CSA to lawful state-run cannabis business is an unconstitutional overreach on state sovereignty that has led to decades of harm, failed businesses, lost jobs, and unsafe working conditions.”
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