Is dirty “hemp THC” ultra-processed and synthesized from mostly foreign CBD now the largest uncontrolled new drug trial in U.S. history?
The confusion among many in the Hemp Altnoid space is either intentional, weaponized ignorance is all the rage these days, or mere Dunning-Krugerism run amok. Either way, the risk of these products is not so much in the target THC molecule itself, whether delta-8, -9, -10, etc. Those are known and somewhat studied molecules with benefits.
Rather, the risk is in the synthetic ‘noids such as HHC, HHCP, THC-O (THCOa), THCP, and THCV, and byproducts of the severe chemical process such as cannabinodiol, cannabinol-O-acetate, cyclohexyl-cannabidiol, d7-tetrahydrocannabinol, d8-iso-tetrahydrocannabinol, d10-tetrahydrocannabinol, d11-tetrahydrocannabinol, d3-tetrahydrocannabinol, d4(8)-iso-tetrahydrocannabinol, d6a10a-tetrahydrocannabinol, exohydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabinol acetate, hexahydrocannabinol, hexahydrocannabiphorol, hydrated cannabidiol, pentahydrocannabinol, tetrahydrocannabidiol, tetrahydrocannabiphorol, tetrahydrocannabinol-O-acetate, and trans-d8-iso-tetrahydrocannabinol not found in the plant, and not studied in animals or humans.
They are as close to a hemp plant as a synthetic digoxin pill is to a foxglove plant, an accidental regulatory anomaly the result of bathtub chemistry and big cojones (regardless of gender). After testing 5,000 products, researchers found them all contaminated with one or more byproduct compounds. They have told me that they have yet to see a clean chromatogram for any of those products.
Why isomerize THC today, when no one wanted it even in the darkest days of Prohibition? Because importing cheap foreign-grown and -made CBD and subjecting it to acids and metals is 2/3 less expensive than growing it down the road. Not even U.S. farmers benefit, that’s why acres crashed 95% since 2019 even as “hemp THC” became the new multi-billion dollar hemp industry in just three years.
The fact that they consider it legal notwithstanding, they all could have used domestic hemp rather than hemp grown who-knows-where in who-knows-what soil with who-knows-what applied to it during growing and processing.
While Industrial Hemp is exempt, Drug Hemp like this violates the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the international drug control treaties. Due to Poison Control Hotline calls referencing “cannabis,” these synthetic Neocannabinoids are also attributed to the increase in the reported harms of marijuana, or drug Cannabis. That’s why states are banning it one-by-one, doing the public safety protection FDA refuses. Meanwhile, “hemp THC” gummies are creating an existential crisis for true hemp foods, those made from the seed.
Will these synthetic “Frankenoids” become the “Thalidomide of Cannabis?” We’ll find out in a few years:
An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC
Journal of Cannabis Research volume 6, Article number: 21 (2024)
“Abstract
Since its discovery as one of the main components of cannabis and its affinity towards the cannabinoid receptor CB1, serving as a means to exert its psychoactivity, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) has inspired medicinal chemists throughout history to create more potent derivatives. Initially, the goal was to synthesize chemical probes for investigating the molecular mechanisms behind the pharmacology of Δ9-THC and finding potential medical applications. The unintended consequence of this noble intent has been the proliferation of these compounds for recreational use. This review comprehensively covers the most exhaustive number of THC-like cannabinoids circulating on the recreational market. It provides information on the chemistry, synthesis, pharmacology, analytical assessment, and experiences related to the psychoactive effects reported by recreational users on online forums. Some of these compounds can be found in natural cannabis, albeit in trace amounts, while others are entirely artificial. Moreover, to circumvent legal issues, many manufacturers resort to semi-synthetic processes starting from legal products extracted from hemp, such as cannabidiol (CBD). Despite the aim to encompass all known THC-like molecules, new species emerge on the drug users’ pipeline each month. Beyond posing a significantly high public health risk due to unpredictable and unknown side effects, scientific research consistently lags behind the rapidly evolving recreational market.”
“Conclusions
The exceptionally rapid expansion of the recreational cannabinoids market has emerged as a central concern for modern society, posing significant health risks. Despite ongoing rigorous scientific research, conclusive findings on the pharmacological activities, psychoactive effects, and psychological consequences of the use and abuse of these compounds remain elusive. Each time a new cannabinoid is discovered or synthesized, the recreational market is quickly inundated with analogous and more potent derivatives. The scientific community and regulatory institutions struggle to keep pace with this race. Consequently, this review, aiming to encompass as many currently available species in the recreational market as possible, may likely become outdated within a few months. Moreover, the lack of sensitive analytical methods capable of detecting a wide range of molecules, as is currently achieved with cannabinoids for recreational use, prevents users from knowing with certainty the composition of commercial products. Even ingredient claim may turn out to be fake. Consequently, understanding the risks consumers face remains challenging.
The cannabinoids market, in particular, distinguishes itself from other illegal drug markets, as the recreational use of such substances is concealed and somehow justified by the purported beneficial properties of cannabis and hemp. Since many of these compounds originate from CBD, extracted from industrial hemp, they are promoted as legal under the well-known Farm Bill Act issued in 2018 in the USA, arguably the largest market for these products. Furthermore, numerous websites aiming to advertise new products and attract both expert and naïve consumers often provide misleading information about chemical properties, legal status, and potential benefits. Many cannabinoids, such as THCP-O, are promoted as naturally derived from cannabis due to their structural similarity with the well-known THC and the recently discovered THCP. In reality, very few people are aware that a chemical modification, such as acetylation, can profoundly alter the pharmacological properties of a well-known compound and potentially pose unpredictable health risks due to incorrect dosage or an unknown pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile.
In light of the aforementioned concerns, it is crucial to raise public awareness of the potential risks associated with the use of these compounds. Allocating additional resources to scientific research is imperative to cultivate an expanding knowledge base that can be disseminated widely, reaching diverse audiences, including drug consumers, institutions, and policy makers. To achieve this, a close collaboration between the scientific community and political institutions is essential to ensure successful outcomes for the overall well-being of society and the mitigation of public health risks.”
Read the report at: https://jcannabisresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s42238-024-00226-y