The DEA announced Monday that THCO does not occur in nature and can only be created synthetically. Terrence L. Boos, Ph.D., Chief Drug & Chemical Evaluation Section, Diversion Control Division stated that these synthetic cannabinoids do not meet the definition of hemp under federal law.
This means that products containing THCO in any form are considered schedule one controlled substances and have been so all along. Consumers and retailers alike should be made aware that possession or sale of these products could leave you open to facing significant legal consequences.
This announcement comes on the heels of a new study from the Journal of Medical Toxicology that linked smoking or vaping THCO with the potential to cause the same deadly lung disease from the vaping crisis of 2019. I have provided a link to the study for you to review below:
In this study, Professor Robert Stongin and doctoral student Kaelas Munger concluded that THCO produces ketene, a toxic chemical linked to EVALI(e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury), when it is heated.
NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, issued a warning on January 9th stating that: “NORML strongly advises consumers to avoid hemp products with psychoactive cannabinoids, especially novel ones stronger than THC, whose safety is particularly suspect.”
While I don't agree that all psychoactive hemp cannabinoids should be avoided, everything synthetic should be regarded with an ounce of caution, even if it is derived from cannabis. Although in retrospect, perhaps we should have seen this one coming...
Vitamin E Acetate
THC O Acetate
They say hindsight is always 20/20.
Written By: Joseph Jackson