What is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)?

THC is the abbreviated chemical name for Tetrahydrocannabinol. THC is the most well known of the 100+ different cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant, it’s produced in the trichome resin glands and is the chemical responsible for producing the delightfully pleasurable cannabis ‘high’. Recreational cannabis users enjoy the euphoric and relaxing effects produced by THC. For many of us, the anti-anxiety effects of THC are deeply enjoyable and a great antidote to the stresses of modern life.

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THC-rich cannabis seeds by Dutch Passion

These days it’s easy to grow THC rich cannabis in legal areas. All you need are some good quality THC rich cannabis seeds. Your main choices are autoflower seeds, feminised seeds or regular cannabis seeds. Indica genetics can be particularly useful for medical users seeking strong physical effects and pain relief. But each of us has our own endo cannabinoid system and may respond best to specific strains or cannabinoid.

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Frequently asked questions about THC

What is THC used for?

Many medical cannabis users find THC is a highly effective multi-purpose medicine. THC-rich medical marijuana is consumed by patients with a wide range of conditions. For some it is highly effective pain relief, for others it is a useful way to help deal with conditions such as MS, epilepsy, arthritis etc. But many people simply use THC for its recreational pleasure, relaxation and stress relieving properties.

What are the typical effects of THC?

Once in your blood stream, THC binds with specialist cells called cannabinoid receptors. This affects several areas including time perception (time may seem to run slower), pleasure, pain, memory, coordination, appetite etc. The precise effects experienced will depend on the amount of THC consumed as well as the individuals tolerance to cannabis and their unique endo cannabinoid system. But typically THC produces a hugely euphoric high followed by a long lasting physical relaxation, sometimes known as a ‘body stone’.

How long does it take for THC to work?

If you vape (or smoke) cannabis you usually feel the effects after a couple of minutes, though the full effects may not be felt for perhaps 10-20 minutes. The high may last 3-4 hours. If you eat a cannabis edible then it may take a couple of hours for the effects to be felt and these could last the entire day if you had a strong edible.

How long does THC stay in your system?

THC can be found in bodily fluids, such as urine, for 30 days or more after using cannabis. In the heaviest users, THC can be detected up to 90 days after use. The heavier and more frequent users will retain traces of weed and THC for longer. Lighter cannabis users will retain traces of THC for shorter periods. Generally speaking, cannabis use is easiest to find by analysing human hair. A hair test can show cannabis use even if the hair test happened several months after the cannabis was used. In addition to hair testing, THC is also detectable in urine, sweat, oral fluid, and blood tests.

What type of products contain THC?

Cannabis buds contain THC, but so do cannabis concentrates and cannabis extracts such as cannabis oil, shatter, hash, canna butter etc. Cannabis edibles may also be rich in THC, dependent on how they are made. There are more THC-containing products than ever before, especially if you live in a ‘legal’ country or state. One other benefit of buying legally produced cannabis products/edibles or cannabis concentrates is that the THC level is usually clearly labelled, along with the levels of other cannabinoids such as CBD. This allows you to purchase the products that match your own cannabis tolerance (from a few milligrams of THC to several hundred).

How to test THC levels in cannabis?

Cannabis seed companies and cannabis breeders simply can’t live without regular THC testing for new breeding projects - it’s an essential scientific tool. But for home growers thorough THC testing through analytical laboratories is usually too inconvenient and expensive to consider. Instead, it makes sense to choose a cannabis seed supplier that can accurately explain expected THC levels from their seeds. At Dutch Passion, all the cannabis seeds are graded from low THC (below 5%) to extremely high THC content (above 20%).