Semi-Synthetic and Synthetic

What is a Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoid?

A semi-synthetic cannabinoid is a cannabinoid that is found naturally in small amounts in cannabis, but for legal or financial reason is instead manufactured through a chemical process from Cannabidiol (CBD) or Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannibol (THC), which are also called Derived Psychoactive Cannabis Products (DPCP)s. The 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act more commonly known as the Farm Bill, which led to the unintended legalization of DPCPs through being manufactured from CBD that is derived from hemp. Hemp is a cannabis plant that contains less than .03% of Delta-9-Tetrahyrdacannabinol (THC) by weight of the plant. Most DPCPs are found in vapes and edibles.

The most common DPCPs so far:

Delta-6-Tetrahydrocannabionol.
Delta-8-Tetrahydrocannabinol, also called “Weed Light”.
Delta-10-Tetrahydrocannabinol.
Delta-11-Tetrahydrocannabinol.
Hexahydrocannibinol or HHC or HXC.
Hexahydrocannabiphorol or HHC-P.
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid or THC-A.
Tetrahydrocannabioctyl or THC-JD.
Tetrahydrocannabiphorol or THC-P. Currently, thought to be the most potent cannabinoid.
Tetrahydrocannabivarin or THC-V also known as “Diet Weed” or “Weederall”.

As the popularity of cannabis use grows and changes in laws make some DPCPs illegal, new DPCPs will be manufactured.

Concerns

No short or long term health studies on the use of DPCPs.
Products containing DPCPs have been found to be mislabeled with incorrect cannabinoids.
Products containing DPCPs that have been tested show heavy metals and high concentrations of herbicides.
Majority of products containing DPCPs have a blend of multiple DPCPs, with no studies on how this mixture effects the human body or mind.

Most Common Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoid: Delta-8-THC

Delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol, also known as delta-8 THC, is a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, of which marijuana and hemp are two varieties. Delta-8 THC is one of over 100 cannabinoids produced naturally by the cannabis plant but is not found in significant amounts in the cannabis plant. As a result, concentrated amounts of delta-8 THC are typically manufactured from hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD).

Delta 8 THC products have not been evaluated or approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in any context. New York’s Office of Cannabis Management’s (OCM) regulations prohibits the sale of Delta-8 THC products.

Delta-8 THC also is called D8.

Below are popular symbols on products to designate it has Delta-8 THC.

How is Delta-8 produced?

The natural amount of delta-8 THC in hemp is very low, and additional chemicals are needed to convert other cannabinoids in hemp, like CBD, into delta-8 THC (i.e., synthetic conversion). Concerns with this process include:

Some manufacturers may use potentially unsafe household chemicals to make delta-8 THC through this chemical synthesis process. Additional chemicals may be used to change the color of the final product. The final delta-8 THC product may have potentially harmful by-products (contaminants) due to the chemicals used in the process, and there is uncertainty with respect to other potential contaminants that may be present or produced depending on the composition of the starting raw material. If consumed or inhaled, these chemicals, including some used to make (synthesize) delta-8 THC and the by-products created during synthesis, can be harmful.
Manufacturing of delta-8 THC products may occur in uncontrolled or unsanitary settings, which may lead to the presence of unsafe contaminants or other potentially harmful substances.

What products contain Delta-8 THC?

Delta-8 THC can most commonly be found in vapes, edibles, and tinctures.

The Office of Cannabis Management has ruled that Delta-8-THC is illegal to be manufactured or sold in NYS.

Synthetic Cannabinoids

A synthetic cannabinoid is not naturally found in cannabis and created by chemically altering a natural cannabinoid, such as CBD or THC into another cannabinoid. The two most prominent synthetic cannabinoids are THC-O acetate also known as “Green Crack” and Hydrox4phc of PHC. THC-O is thought to be three times stronger than Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). PHC is thought to be stronger than THC and the high can last 6 to 12 hours. Very limited oversight or testing of these products.