THC-O Acetate: ‘Potent is Not Necessarily Better’

Renowned cannabis and endocannabinoid researcher Dr. Ethan Russo weighs in on the realities and legalities of the cannabinoid THC-O acetate.


Ethan Russo Fmt
Portrait courtesy of Ethan Russo

Over the past several months, onlookers have watched heavily hyped, high-inducing cannabinoids divide the hemp industry. As a growing number of states step in to regulate these controversial substances, such as delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), multiple cannabinoids join the fray. A semi-synthetic cannabinoid known as THC-O acetate is one substance gaining attention.

To learn more about THC-O acetate, Cannabis Business Times spoke with board-certified neurologist Ethan Russo, M.D., who’s devoted the past 25 years to studying the medicinal aspects of cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. That includes more than a decade as senior medical adviser to GW Pharmaceuticals, the company behind Epidiolex, the only cannabidiol (CBD)-containing drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Russo is now CEO and founder of CReDO Science, a company devoted to making cannabis safer and better.

1) Jolene Hansen: What is THC-O acetate and how is it derived?

Dr. Ethan Russo: It starts with … THC. THC-O acetate is what’s called a semi-synthetic derivative, or analogue. Through a chemical process using a very toxic chemical called acetic anhydride, you can turn some of the delta-9 THC into THC-O acetate.

2) JH: Why would someone want to convert THC into THC-O?

ER: One reason would be that—reportedly—this is twice or maybe three times more potent than THC. Is that helpful?

Potent sounds good. But this is a system in the body—the endogenous cannabinoid system—that works with a great deal of subtlety. In other words, what is needed when you’re using a drug to stimulate the system is a gentle nudge, not a violent push that comes from something that is a lot stronger than THC itself. So, potent is not necessarily better.

If something is less potent, you can overcome that by using a higher dose. But for many medical purposes, doses of THC that are quite low are what are needed and what is desirable rather than higher doses, which are going to be more associated with side effects than benefits.

3) JH: Do you see any potential applications for THC-O acetate?

ER: I can't rule that out. Again, its putative improved potency may or may not be helpful. If it went through the normal process of being tested for toxicology in animals, and then went through the usual processes of studying it in humans in clinical trials, it might have an application. But it's more likely that any benefits are going to be outweighed by other problems. It remains to be seen.

There would be the potential that it could be useful medically, but—especially given that the product and process are illegal—I don't trust the companies trying to make this [will create] a quality product that's going to be safe for consumers. I'm quite sure that it's not going to be.

Editor’s Note: This interview originally appeared on Cannabis Business Times’ website and was edited for length, style and clarity. Read the full conversation here.

Jolene Hansen is a freelance writer specializing in the hemp, cannabis and horticulture industries.

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