THC

noun

ˌtē-(ˌ)āch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ from hemp plant resin

especially : one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana

When a person tokes, eats or vapes cannabis, a wave of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, washes into the brain.

—Laura Sanders

THC, the main chemical component of marijuana, has been shown to reduce nausea and increase appetite in chemotherapy patients.

—Andrew Weil

THC disappears from blood quickly as it is absorbed in the brain, making blood tests a more reliable measure of recent use but not a great correlate of impairment.

—Eliza Gray

Examples of THC in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The House has refused to take up the Senate bill, which would also increase taxes, lower the THC content cap for extracts and reduce the number of plants people can grow. —Haley Bemiller, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

Reports to poison control centers of kids consuming products containing THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, are on the rise; the largest increase in such reports in recent years is due to intentional ingestion of marijuana edibles among adolescents. —Linda Richter, STAT, 5 June 2024

According to the study, scientists don’t yet know how even small amounts of THC could affect infants. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 10 May 2024

As of July 1, 2023, individuals 21 and older can legally use, possess and consume up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or a total amount of cannabis products that does not exceed 750 mg of THC in Maryland. —Sherry Greenfield, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2024

Goodland Extracts has been extracting cannabinoids, like CBD and THC, from hemp since 2019. —Jordyn Noennig, Journal Sentinel, 16 May 2024

And higher levels of THC, the main psychoactive component in marijuana, are believed to pose more health risks. —Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 May 2024

The plant’s main psychoactive element, THC, produces feelings of euphoria for users. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024

Although not fully embracing medical marijuana, Iowa and Texas both have laws allowing limited access to some cannabis products with low levels of THC. —David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydrocannabinol

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

THC

noun

ˌtē-ˌāch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ that occur naturally in hemp plant resin or are synthetically prepared:

a

: one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana and is used medicinally

called also delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-THC

see dronabinol

b

: one that is present in marijuana only in minute quantities