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PL Cannabinoid index · Intoxicating
THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main intoxicating cannabinoid in cannabis, the one responsible for the high. It is fat-soluble, so it infuses into oils and butter, and it exists in raw flower as the acid THCA, which converts to active THC with heat (decarboxylation, roughly 105 to 120°C). A synthetic version, dronabinol, is an approved medicine.
Decarboxylation & infusion
Decarb before infusing, not during a short bake. See the tabla de temperaturas de descarboxilación y THC oil calculator.
Reviewed 2026-09-04. Regulatory status varies by market and is not legal or medical advice.
What the published literature examined
THC is among the most-studied cannabinoids. Its approved medical use rests on trials of synthetic THC (dronabinol) for two problems: chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, and appetite loss and weight loss in AIDS. Separately, the THC:CBD spray nabiximols was trialled for spasticity in multiple sclerosis and for cancer pain. A very large body of pharmacology and imaging work describes how THC acts at the CB1 receptor to produce intoxication, and how tolerance and acute effects develop.
What is established, and what is not
Established: that THC is the main intoxicant, acts at CB1 receptors, and that its approved forms help chemo nausea and AIDS-related appetite loss. Its acute effects and short-term risks (impairment, anxiety at high doses, faster heart rate) are well characterised. Not established or contested: many broader therapeutic claims for whole-plant THC, where trial quality and dose control vary. This page describes the compound and summarises research; it is not medical advice.
Sources
- US FDA. MARINOL (dronabinol) prescribing information. FDA Drugs@FDA
- Whiting PF, et al. Cannabinoids for Medical Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015;313:2456-2473. PubMed
- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids, 2017. PubMed
- Registered human studies for dronabinol / THC. ClinicalTrials.gov
- World Anti-Doping Agency. Prohibited List (cannabinoids, CBD excepted). wada-ama.org
Frequently asked questions
Is raw cannabis intoxicating?
Not really. In raw flower, THC exists as THCA, which is non-intoxicating. It becomes active THC only after decarboxylation, which is why edibles need the cannabis heated first.
What temperature activates THC?
THCA converts to THC at roughly 105 to 120C over time. Going much hotter starts to degrade THC toward CBN, which is weaker, so gentle heating is better.
Is any THC medicine approved?
Yes. Synthetic THC, dronabinol (Marinol, Syndros), is FDA-approved for chemotherapy nausea and AIDS-related appetite loss, and a THC:CBD spray is approved in several countries for MS spasticity.
Can you infuse THC into oil or butter?
Yes. THC is fat-soluble, so once decarboxylated it transfers into coconut oil, butter or MCT, which is the basis of cannabutter and cannaoil.
Part of the cannabinoid index.
This page describes a compound and summarises published research about it. It is general and educational information, not medical advice, and not guidance on use.
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