Psychoactive cannabinoids are a bit of a mixed bag. There are major upsides, but there can also be major downsides.
THC-O and delta 9 are two of the most popular psychoactive cannabinoids in the hemp space, but knowing which one to pick can be hard.
Since THC-O is a newer cannabinoid, there hasn’t been much research done on it. However, we have personal experience (and customer experiences) to go off of.
In this article, we’re comparing THC-O to delta 9 THC so you’ll know which to choose — or if it’s worth trying something new.
TAKEAWAYS:
- THC-O is a more potent analog of delta 9 THC that creates a high roughly 3-4x stronger and takes about twice as long to kick in. While delta 9 is euphoric and uplifting, THC-O creates psychedelic-like effects.
- Delta 9 THC naturally occurs in the hemp plant, while THC-O has to be made by converting hemp-derived CBD.
- Both delta 9 and THC-O are federally legal in the US as long as they are derived from hemp, confirmed most recently in a 2024 ruling by a U.S. Court of Appeals.
What is THC-O?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) acetate ester, or THC-O, is a psychoactive cannabinoid produced from delta-8 THC or delta 9 THC. Unlike delta-8 or delta 9, THC-O does not naturally occur in the hemp plant.
THC-O has recently become popular because people have noted that it’s stronger than delta 9, and in some cases, renders psychedelic-like effects.
What is Delta 9?
Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or delta 9, is also a psychoactive cannabinoid. Unlike THC-O, it occurs naturally in the hemp plant in large amounts.
When people say “THC”, they’re generally referring to delta 9 — it’s the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, though companies like ours sell it in hemp-derived form, so it’s legal.
THC-O vs. Delta 9 Effects: How Does the High Feel?
How does the high you get from THC-O compare to what you feel after taking delta 9?
The most salient difference between THC-O and delta 9 is the potency of the high; THC-O is roughly 3-4x stronger than delta 9.
Dopamine is a “feel-good” hormone associated with happiness and pleasure. When you use psychoactive cannabinoids like THC-O and delta 9, large amounts of dopamine are released in your brain.
As a result, the main beneficial effects you’ll get from using THC-O and delta 9 include euphoria, relaxation, and increased focus. Of course, the mix of feelings varies person to person.
Though there is some similarity in the feelings THC-O and delta 9 provide, there are also some notable differences:
THC-O effects
For many people, THC-O provides the standard head high experience, just stronger. However, in some cases, THC-O also renders psychedelic-like effects.
Opinions on the nature of these effects vary; some compare THC-O to the “spiritual experience” of psychedelics like psilocybin (magic mushrooms), while others say the effects are slightly similar but not really comparable.
Delta 9 effects
The feelings you’ll get from using hemp-derived delta 9 THC are similar to those you get from smoking cannabis — it’s the same exact cannabinoid, after all.
Therefore, you can expect standard feelings of relaxation and euphoria from using delta 9. The effects aren’t quite as intense as those from THC-O but are roughly twice as strong as those from delta-8 THC.
No weak, ineffective, or potentially dangerous products here. Only high-strength, American-made delta 9 products that have been 3rd-party lab tested.
Negative side effects of THC-O & delta 9
Though THC-O and delta 9 provide immense therapeutic and recreational benefits, they can also cause negative side effects.
Different people have different tolerances for psychoactive substances. Because of this, some will mostly experience the positive sides of being high, while others will mainly feel the side effects and won’t enjoy the experience.
As such, there’s now way to know which side effects you’ll experience until you give either THC-O or delta 9 a try.
Potential side effects of delta 9 include:
- Difficulty thinking and speaking
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Increased appetite
- Rapid heart rate
- Memory loss
- Red eyes
- Slowed reaction time
Potential side effects of THC-O include:
- Dry mouth and eyes
- Low blood pressure
- Lightheadedness
- Sleepiness
- Disorientation
- Changes in perceived color and brightness
How to Take THC-O & Delta 9
How should you go about taking THC-O and delta 9? Here are the best methods:
Edibles
THC-O or delta 9 edibles allow you to experience the therapeutic benefits of these cannabinoids without risking lung damage from smoking or vaping. Additionally, edibles allow for consistent dosing.
Edibles are a great option if you’re strictly a therapeutic user or don’t want to deal with the downsides of vaping or smoking THC-O or delta 9.
Vapes
Vapes make using THC-O and delta 9 convenient, and they’re great if you need these cannabinoids throughout the day for therapeutic uses. This is a major reason many of our customers opt for vapes over other methods.
The downside, of course, is that vaping poses health risks to your lungs and heart.
Still, vapes are a good option if you need relaxation in micro-doses throughout the day, and are comfortable with the risks.
Flower
If you’re already a flower connoisseur (hemp or otherwise), THC-O and delta 9 strains allow you to experiment with a broad range of flavors, aromas, and blends. In terms of optionality, smoking hemp flower is a great way to use THC-O and delta 9.
The downside with flower is that you can’t just light up a pre roll whenever you might need to. And there is the health risk component to be aware of, too.
Overall, if you’re already using other types of flower, a THC-O or delta 9 strain is a solid option.
Dabs
THC-O and delta 9 can also be taken in the form of dabs. Dabs are a type of cannabis concentrate made from trichome resin (trichomes are the little outgrowths on the cannabis plant).
Dabs are inhaled through a dab rig, a type of bong made for cannabis and hemp concentrates.
Dabbing THC-O and delta 9 will typically render stronger effects than other methods of using it, just because the dab itself is such a concentrated hemp product.
However, as with other methods that rely on you inhaling the hemp, dabbing does pose health risks.
THC-O vs. Delta 9: What’s the Best Dosage?
So, how much THC-O or delta 9 should you take?
It depends. If you’re vaping, smoking, or dabbing, you won’t know exactly how much THC-O or delta 9 you’re getting. These methods require you to experiment until you land on the perfect dose.
However, if you’re using an edible or other product that allows you to measure the doses, you can be more exacting:
THC-O dosage & effect onset
As THC-O is such a powerful cannabinoid, start out by taking just 2-5mg daily. You can slowly increase this amount depending on how you feel.
If you’re inhaling the THC-O, you’ll feel the effects in roughly 30 minutes. If you use an edible, the onset is more like an hour and a half to 2 hours.
Delta 9 dosage & effect onset
Read our delta 9 dosage guide for more.
On the other hand, it’s fine to take a larger dose of delta 9 to start out with. For most new users, effects can be felt at a 5-10mg dosage each day.
Delta 9’s onset time is considerably less than that of THC-O. Inhaled, you’ll feel delta 9’s effects in 10-15 minutes. Through an edible, effects are felt in roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Can you mix THC-O and Delta 9?
Based on what we know, mixing THC-O and delta 9 is safe.
From a medical perspective, THC-O and delta 9 won’t produce adverse side effects beyond what both substances already produce on their own.
THC-O vs. Delta 9: Legality
Hemp-derived delta 9 and THC-O are both federally legal, per the 2018 Farm Bill.
According to the Farm Bill, all cannabinoids extracted from hemp are federally legal. Hemp is defined as cannabis sativa containing 0.3% THC or less, while marijuana is cannabis sativa containing over 0.3% THC.
THC-O’s legality has come into question
Since the 2018 Farm Bill, it was assumed that THC-O, like other hemp-derived cannabinoids, was federally legal.
However, in early 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration issued a statement saying that THC-O is not considered a hemp derivative because it doesn’t naturally occur in the plant (it has to be made from CBD, which does). In making this statement, the DEA stated that THC-O is illegal.
But in 2024, a U.S. court of appeals for the Fourth Circuit refuted this ruling and stated that THC-O is indeed protected under the 2018 Farm Bill because the original bill was designed to make all hemp derivatives legal, regardless of whether they naturally occur in hemp.
So for now, THC-O is federally legal. We’ll update this section as needed to reflect its legal status.
States where delta 9 is legal
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington D.C.
States where delta 9 is illegal or contested
- California
- Colorado
- North Dakota
- Washington
- Idaho
States where THC-O is legal
- Alabama
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
States where THC-O is illegal or contested
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New York
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
How to Safely Buy THC-O & Delta 9 Online
The hemp industry is largely unregulated by the government. Because of this, the quality and safety of hemp-derived products isn’t guaranteed, which means you have to shop carefully to avoid buying dangerous or defective products.
Presuming THC-O or delta 9 is legal in your state and you want to get your hands on some, here are a few tips to help you find high-quality products:
- Buy from a reputable brand: Buying your products from an established brand with happy customers greatly increases the chance of your product being high-quality.
- Read reviews: Reading reviews for the product you’re going to buy will help you find a product that meets your needs, while helping you avoid products that have issues with potency or freshness.
- Check lab reports: Reputable brands have their products lab tested to verify their safety and potency. Before you buy a product, check its lab report to ensure it passes tests for pesticides, molds, and heavy metals.
Conclusion: Two Very Powerful Cannabinoids
Getting great results from hemp-derived cannabinoids requires experimentation, so don’t be afraid to dive in and try delta 9 and THC-O.
Just be sure to know your limits and experiment carefully and responsibly!
THC-O vs. Delta 9: Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we’re frequently asked about THC-O and delta 9.
Do THC-O or delta 9 show up on drug tests?
Yes. As THC-O is a THC analog, and delta 9 THC is a targeted substance on standard 12-panel drug tests, both cannabinoids will show up on drug tests.
(If you need to undergo regular drug tests, consider opting for broad-spectrum CBD or CBD isolate.)
Does THC-O affect delta 9 tolerance?
There hasn’t been any research done on this, but anecdotal evidence indicates that regularly using THC-O may result in a higher tolerance to delta 9 THC.
Is THC-O stronger than delta 9?
Yes, THC-O is roughly 3-4x as strong as delta 9.
Why was THC-O banned?
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) originally stated in a 2023 letter that THC-O is considered illegal because it doesn’t naturally occur in hemp and must be synthetically produced, which means it doesn’t fall under the Farm Bill protections afforded to hemp or hemp extracts.
However, this opinion was later overturned in 2024 by a U.S. Appeals Court, and THC-O is now considered federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.
What is a THC-O high like?
THC-O creates an intense head high with somewhat psychedelic properties. It’s roughly 6-8x as potent as delta 9 THC, the most abundant cannabinoid in the cannabis plant.
How many mg of THC-O should I take?
Starting out, we recommend taking no more than 1-3mg of THC-O, given its high potency and potential psychedelic effects.
