A: Phytocannabinoids, such as: Cannabidiol (CBD), Cannabigerol (CBG), Cannabinol (CBN), and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are naturally occurring chemical compounds synthesized most commonly by the cannabis plant (both hemp and marijuana). They can be found in the flower, leaf, stalk, and stem, but the greatest concentration of phytocannabinoids are found in glandular trichomes.
Q: What are Phytocannabinoids?
Q: What is the Endocannabinoid System?
A: The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a ubiquitous neurotransmission system composed of naturally occurring lipids, synthesizing and degradation enzymes, endocannabinoids, cannabinoid receptors, and transmembrane transport proteins. This synaptic regulating system modulates excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central and peripheral nervous system. The ECS plays a role in neuronal growth, neuroprotection, sensory pathway, homeostasis, appetite, nausea, sleep/wake cycle, mood regulation, motor control, cognitive functions, and seizure activity.
Q: How do phytocannabinoids interact in the body?
A: Phytocannabinoids or exogenous cannabinoids bind to either CB1 or CB2 receptors. CB1 receptors are primarily found in the central nervous system, where as CB2 receptors are found primarily in the peripheral nervous system. Naturally occurring endocannabinoids are synthesized as needed with the human body. However, endocannabinoids are rapidly broken down by enzymatic processes. Phytocannabinoids are an external source of cannabinoids and can be easily used to increase the overall cannabinoid concentration within the body.
Q: What is the difference between CBD and THC?
A: Both cannabinoids are the most common phytocannabinoids found in nature. They both possess the chemical formula C21H30O2. The primary difference between the two is how the atoms are arranged in the molecule. The difference in atomic arrangement is what determines psychoactivity. Cannabidiol is non-psychoactive, whereas Tetrahydrocannabinol is psychoactive (produces a high). Check out the graphic below to review the differences between CBD and THC.
Q: What is the difference between Hemp and Marijuana?
A: The terms hemp and marijuana are legal designations that federal and state governments uses to distinguish the concentration of ∆9-THC. Both hemp and marijuana pertain to the genus Cannabis L.. The government has declared that 0.3% THC, on a dry weight basis, is the concentration that determines if the crop is hemp or marijuana. Anything below 0.3% is classified as hemp, whereas anything above 0.3% is classified as marijuana.
Q: Which cannabinoids are classified as a schedule 1 substance?
A: In order for a substance to be designated as a schedule 1 substance, the acting administrator must determine the following: the substance has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment, and lacks accepted safety for use of the substance under medical supervision.
According to the The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Tetrahydrocannabinols (∆9-THC, ∆8-THC, THCA, etc...) are identified as Schedule 1 substances (DEA number 7370). In a publication titled "Cannabis Policy - For the New Decade" (January 15, 2020) "The Controlled Substance Act and Marijuana", the State of the Department of Justice said,
"Under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), every controlled substance is classified into one of five schedules based upon its potential for abuse, its currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and the degree of dependence the drug or other substance may cause. 21 U.S.C. § 812. The initial schedules of controlled substances established by Congress are found at 21 U.S.C. § 812(c), and the current list of all scheduled substances is published at 21 CFR part 1308.
Substances in Schedule I are those that have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. 21 U.S.C. § 812(b)(1). Congress specifically placed “marijuana” in Schedule I of the CSA in 19703 and defined “marijuana” as all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., with certain exceptions for the parts of the plant that are not the source of cannabinoids. Among the parts of the cannabis plant included in the definition of marijuana are: the flowering tops, the leaves, viable seeds, and the resin extracted from any part of the plant, and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of the plant, its seeds or resin. 21 U.S.C. § 812(c) Schedule I; 21 U.S.C. § 802(16); 21 C.F.R. § 1308.11(d).
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (Pub.L. 115-334, referred to as the AIA) was signed into law on December 20, 2018. It provided a new statutory definition of “hemp” and amended the definition of “marijuana” under the CSA. The AIA modified the definition by adding that the “term ‘marijuana’ does not include hemp, as defined in section 1639o of Title 7.” 21 U.S.C. § 802(16)(B). Furthermore, the AIA added a definition of “hemp” to 7 U.S.C. 1639o, which reads as follows:
The term “hemp” means the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of the plant including the seeds thereof and all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not, with a delta-9- tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis."
Q: What is the difference between THC and THCV?
A: Despite their similar names, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC - C21H30O2) and Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV - C19H26O2) are chemically different. Their differences begin with the parent molecules from which they are synthesized. Tetrahydrocannabinol is derived from Cannbigerolic acid (CBGA) which is synthesized from a reaction between olivetolic acid and geranyl pyrophosphate. Tetrahydrocannabidivarin is derived from cannabigerovarinic acid (CBGVA) which is synthesized from a reaction between geranyl pyrophosphate and divarinolic acid.
In low doses, THCV behaves like a CB1 receptor antagonist. In other words, THCV behaves like CBD. On the other hand, higher doses of THCV causes it to behave like a CB1 agonist. Tetrahydrocannabivarin is a highly sought after rare cannabinoid with many potential benefits.