Since synthetic marijuana was introduced, a large number of similar cannabinoid agonists have been created. This makes it difficult to control these substances. Because there is so little research and few regulations, the risks that the use of THC-O can entail are virtually unknown. The lack of regulations and standards for production makes it very difficult to know the potency of a product or the chemicals used during production.
While most are advertised as organic or natural, hazardous chemicals are often used when manufacturing THC-O. Acetic anhydride is flammable and its use creates a risk of fire and explosion. Like hashish butane (BHO) oil, it can only be manufactured in properly equipped laboratories by people who are very familiar with the process. Even with experienced processors, there is a chance that traces of the chemicals used to create THC-O will remain in the final product.
In addition, since the DEA now considers THC-O to be a Schedule 1 drug illegal at the federal level, it is illegal to buy or sell in any form, although we are not yet aware that any arrests have been made. THC-O is created by chemically converting CBD to THC delta 9 or THC delta 8 and then converting those cannabinoids into their acetate ester form, which is called THC-O for short. Experts generally know it as THC-O acetate (or ATHC or THC-OA), but almost everyone has abbreviated it as THC-O.
