What is THC?

Contrary to popular belief, Cannabis, Hemp and Marijuana are not the same thing. Hemp and Marijuana are both members of the Cannabis family, and have very different properties that separate them.

Hemp, from which the CBD in our products is extracted, is part of the Cannabis sativa strain. Marijuana, on the other hand, is part of the Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica strain. One of the main differences between the two is the amounts of THC in them.

The Basics of THC

THC is short for Tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s a crystalline chemical found in various strains of Cannabis, predominantly in Marijuana at concentrations between 15-40%, and is the psychoactive component – in other words, it’s the substance in Marijuana that gives users the “high”.

It does this by triggering production of Dopamine in the brain, leading to a feeling of relaxation and euphoria.

The Chemical Composition of THC

Chemically speaking, THC is actually nearly identical to CBD, containing exactly the same molecular formula (C₂₁H₃₀O₂), and even nearly identical mass (THC having a mass of 314.469g/mol, and CBD 314.464g/mol), just arranged in a very slightly different way. Whereas THC contains a cyclic ring, CBD contains a hydroxyl group, as shown in the diagram below.

This tiny difference fundamentally changes the way the two compounds operate.

The Legality of THC

As THC causes users to get “high”, and is present in Marijuana in high concentrations, it does mean that Marijuana is currently classified as a Class B drug in the UK. This means that those caught in possession of Marijuana could face up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both, and those caught supplying and/or producing risk facing even stricter penalties – up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

THC Vs CBD

It is definitely worth noting that the vast majority of CBD products contain, at most, trace amounts of THC. The Hemp from which CBD is extracted must have a THC concentration no higher than 0.2%, which is nowhere near enough for users to experience any psychoactive effects. Some CBD supplements go as far as to eliminate all traces of THC, making them entirely THC free. 

Our Vital Herb products are extracted from Hemp that has 0.2% or under traces of THC, and each product will never contain more than 1mg of THC.

CBD supplements are taken by many people - safe in the knowledge that they won’t experience any kind of intoxication.

Side Effects of THC

Of course, the main side effect that everyone experiences when consuming a THC rich substance is the “high”. This is because THC triggers the release of Dopamine into the brain.

A High-Profile THC Case

Since 2016, a 12-year-old boy named Billy Caldwell has been using Cannabis Oil to help with a severe and rare form of epilepsy he suffers from. However, due to conditions imposed by the Northern Irish authorities, he was unable to take the Cannabis Oil in June 2018 after it was confiscated at Heathrow Airport.

The problem was that Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, as well as the Home Office, recommended that Billy return home, however the Department of Health in Northern Ireland would only administer the treatment from a hospital in Belfast – 2 hours away from their home in Castlederg.

With Billy requiring the Cannabis Oil twice a day, this would require two, four-hour round trips per day. Not an ideal situation for an epileptic boy who also suffers from autism.

What followed was a public outcry, as Billy suffered from uncontrollable and extreme seizures – the kind that would normally be kept at bay by the Cannabis Oil.

This prompted the Home Secretary at the time of Billy’s seizures, Sajid Javid, to intervene. In the weeks that followed, changes were made to UK law that allowed Medical Marijuana to be prescribed on the NHS.

While the drug still isn’t prescribed very frequently, primarily due to GPs lack of knowledge and training, it is a huge step forward for the UK in utilising the healing properties of Medical Cannabis.

Avoid THC with our range of CBD products; CBD Oil, Vape Liquids, CBD Balms, CBD Edibles and CBD Isolates & Terpenes. For more information, feel free to give us a call on 0116 321 4300, or send us an email to support@vitalherb.co.uk.