Delta-9 THC

The primary psychoactive component of cannabis, it’s responsible for that feel-good high. Delta-9-THC, or Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol, is also the most studied cannabinoid.

(Maybe you studied it a bit in college? Double major-ly?).

Binding to CB1 receptors in your brain, it has been reported to have effects like:

  • Euphoria
  • Altered sensory perception
  • Laughter
  • Appetite stimulation (the munchies)
  • Pain relief​​ (especially when you remember which drawer you put it away in after the last time)


In medicine, delta-9-THC was clinically approved in its synthetic form by the FDA in 1985 (trade name Dronabinol) to ease chemotherapy-related nausea and AIDS-related appetite loss.

What about its bioavailability?

  • When smoked or vaporized, onset is reported to be within minutes and lasts 1–3 (glorious) hours
  • When consumed as an edible, the onset is reported to be slower—20–90 (agonizing) minutes, but effects can (once again, gloriously) last longer
  • When drunk in a beverage format, the onset is reported to be ranging from 5-30 minutes, with effects lasting 2 to 2-½ hours (well, hi there, sweet spot)


Legally, the concentration of delta-9-THC in the plant is what differentiates marijuana from hemp—hemp must have <0.3% delta-9 by weight (to get into the cool parties, anyway)​. It’s this compound that drug tests typically screen for.

So, in short, delta-9-THC is the iconic cannabinoid that gives cannabis its literally dope reputation.

The molecular structure of delta-9 THC overlaid on an image of cannabis flower on a table

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