You’ve heard a lot about this stronger, more obscure cannabinoid- but is THCP synthetic or legit? There are two answers to this question - the short one and the longer, more convoluted one.
- No, THCP is not synthetic. It’s naturally occurring in both hemp and marijuana.
- Most THCP products, however, are synthesized because the cannabinoid exists in such trace amounts that directly extracting it is unrealistic.
What does that mean, though? It’s not as sketchy as it sounds. Experts will take hemp-derived CBD and transform it into THCP through a chemical conversion process. This does raise some question marks surrounding THCP safety, but we’re here to put those to rest for you.
As the #1 place to buy THCP products online, MUNCHIES! makes sure everything we provide is 100% safe for consumption through strict lab-testing protocols. You never have to worry about anything you don’t want ending up in the final product.
Learn more about how THCP is manufactured below, and discover what makes it such an interesting cannabinoid by placing your first order at MUNCHIES! today!
Key Takeaways
- THCP is a rare cannabinoid that was first isolated in 2019.
- It appears to have 33x the binding affinity compared to delta 9 THC, translating to much more intense effects.
- THCP does occur naturally in cannabis, but in too trace of amounts for extraction to be realistic.
- Chemists will convert hemp-derived CBD into THCP through a safe, precise process.
- Always buy THCP from reputable brands that provide detailed certificates of analysis (COAs) showing both potency and purity.
- MUNCHIES! makes the best THCP vapes and pre-rolls on the market. You can buy them online 100% legally today.
Is THCP Synthetic?
THCP was first isolated by a team of researchers at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia in December 2019 in Scientific Reports.1 They noticed it had a 7-carbon alkyl side chain in analyzing its chemical profile. Delta 9 THC only has a 5-carbon chain. That little molecular nuance is what leads to such dramatically different effects between the two cannabinoids.
Researchers took a look at binding assays and realized that THCP could attach to CB1 receptors within the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with around 33x the affinity of normal THC. Now, that doesn’t mean THCP is 33x stronger than delta 9 THC in practice. However, you will notice that THCP hits a little harder and lasts a little longer.
You can learn more about THCP vs delta 9 in our blog if you’d like. In the meantime, let’s get into what you really want to know - is THCP synthetic or not?
THCP Does Occur Naturally
THCP was not “invented.” It was found in an actual strain of cannabis. It’s always been there, in fact. Science just caught up. Research teams now have more sophisticated tools like mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography, so they were able to actually isolate THCP.
This is to say, there’s a very good chance you’ve already consumed THCP without even knowing it if you’ve smoked cannabis of any sort. But here’s the thing about THCP - it occurs in VERY trace amounts. That means you probably didn’t end up getting enough of it to really make much of a difference. This is really the key takeaway from the question, is THCP synthetic?
Are Most THCP Products Synthetic, Though?
The cannabinoid is very real. Whether what you end up consuming came from the plant is another story, though. It’s almost certainly not natural THCP extracted from the plant. The cannabinoid just isn’t prominent enough to extract it in meaningful amounts. It would be really expensive to actually make natural THCP products.
This is actually more common than you’d think. Are you familiar with delta 8 THC? It’s the same story there. This cannabinoid occurs naturally in hemp and marijuana, but also in very trace amounts. So, brands will synthesize delta 8 THC from CBD instead of directly extracting it from the plant.
That’s not to say THCP is sketchy or unsafe. Just that the methods used to synthesize it matter. Calling THCP “synthetic” is technically accurate in this sense. But the more useful question is whether the conversion process is clean or not. If so, you’re getting the real deal THCP without any compromise in experience or safety.
Let’s take a closer look at what goes into making THCP.
Understanding the THCP Conversion Process
The first step in creating THCP is sourcing high-quality, Farm Bill compliant hemp. Then, CBD has to be extracted. This can be done through a number of methods. A lot of brands use distillate because it’s more affordable. Others use live resin, which preserves more of the plant’s true essence.
At any rate, the CBD then has to be restructured to make THCP. This is the more interesting part of the process. Acids and catalysts are used, along with various solvents, at different stages. The 5-carbon chain is replaced with a 7-carbon chain. At least, that’s one way. But like directly extracting THCP from the plant, conversion is not always practical, either.
Extending a side chain that is already bonded to a finished molecule is extremely difficult because there is no convenient chemical handle to cut and rebuild from. A 2024 paper in the Journal of Cannabis Research confirmed that elongating the side chain from CBD or THC is “not straightforward,” and that a fully synthetic protocol is more practical.2
This is why a lot of brands these days build THCP from scratch, using 5-heptylresorcinol as a building block. This compound already has a seven-carbon tail attached, which simplifies things.
5-heptylresorcinol is then combined with terpene alcohol and an acid catalyst (usually boron trifluoride or p-toluenesulfonic acid) dissolved in a solvent like dichloromethane. This reaction yields CBDP - the seven-carbon analog of CBD. There’s one more step. A second acid-catalyzed reaction closes the ring structure to form THCP.
We apologize for all the scientific jargon, but we know there are a few people who will actually appreciate the “how” behind the products that sit on the shelves.
It’s important to note that each manufacturer has its own specific reagents and conditions. That’s why the quality of the final product can be so different across this industry. Two brands selling “THCP vapes” can implement very different levels of purification and quality control behind the scenes. This is the more relevant thing to consider when it comes to THCP safety.
Clean conversion methods remove all the residual solvents and byproducts before the THCP distillate actually makes its way into a vape or a pre-roll. But not every brand has the same standards for quality. That’s the unfortunate reality of this industry. Many people are here to cash in rather than create a great product.
To make matters worse, there aren’t any federal regulatory bodies inspecting these labs like the way the FDA oversees pharmaceutical manufacturing. There’s only one checkpoint: lab testing. Brands have to send their product to an independent lab for third-party analysis, at which point they’re provided a certificate of analysis (COA) showing everything that’s in it (and more importantly, what’s not in it).
This is how you distinguish the best THCP products from the rest.
Is THCP Safe, Then?
This is a loaded question, and there’s quite a bit to unpack here. THCP itself is perfectly safe - meaning the cannabinoid cannot harm you. The worst it can do is get you “too high” since it’s easy to get caught off guard with how much stronger it is than your average delta 9 THC product. But being smart with how you use said THCP essentially eliminates this risk.
The more meaningful question, though, is how safe are THCP products themselves? That’s where we can’t necessarily give you a one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on the brand’s standards for quality, like we said above.
A THCP vape loaded with residual solvents is unsafe because of the solvents, not because of the THCP. That’s to say, you have to scrutinize the COA before you buy anything.
How to Find Safe, Legal THCP Products Online
We want to be very clear - you can shop with peace of mind here at MUNCHIES! knowing you’re getting the safest THCP products the industry has to offer. We take quality seriously and have strict third-party lab testing protocols in place.
But we’re also passionate about empowering you to do your own research, because things can get confusing in this space. Here’s what you need to know about shopping for THCP.
Interpreting COAs
There are a handful of things to look at on the COA in order to determine potency and purity. You don’t need to get overwhelmed by every single line item, as these lab reports can be quite dense. Just make sure that, first and foremost, it’s an ISO 17025-accredited lab. Then, look at:
- Cannabinoid potency: It has to match the label. If a vape says it’s 92% potent, then the THCP content on the lab report better back it up. Look to see what other cannabinoids are included in the product, if any, while you’re at it.
- Residual solvent testing: You should not see any concerning amounts of ethanol or hexane. These are the most common solvents used in synthesizing THCP. This is something a lab test will flag.
- Heavy metals: Lead and arsenic are unfortunately common in low-quality hemp and they can even show up in the manufacturing process itself. Be sure neither of these are in alarming amounts.
Check those three boxes and you have pretty much nothing to worry about!
Of course, not every brand displays its COAs as prominently as you’d hope. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to verify this kind of information. If a brand hides their lab reports, they’re probably hiding something within them!
Vapes vs Pre-Rolls: Which Should You Try First?
The most common THCP products you’ll find on the market are vapes and pre-rolls. Both can be great ways to enjoy the higher intensity THCP brings. It’s just a matter of which better suits your preferences!
A THCP vape pen is usually a better starting point because you can take one small puff and see what it does for you. On the other hand, you’re kind of committed to the session once you spark a joint. It’s a lot harder to gauge intensity.
Plus, we just think vapes are great because they’re so much more discreet and portable! You won’t have to worry about the smell as much, and they fit in your pocket. That being said, pre-rolls are definitely the way to go when you are gearing up for a group session.
Find Your New Favorite THCP Products at MUNCHIES!
MUNCHIES! makes the best THCP products online, from pre-rolls to vapes. Everything is lab-tested for potency and purity so you can place your order with peace of mind.
Our Lil Ripper THCP Smacked vapes come in 2g disposables with six strain options covering the full spectrum from sativa to indica. They’re draw-activated so you don’t have to press a button, and they can be recharged via USB-C so you can enjoy every last drop of oil.
Our THCP Jelly Holes pack a liquid THCP diamond core inside 1.5g of infused flower, wrapped in a 2g pre-roll with a 12mm glass tip. They pack a serious punch and come in a wide array of strains as well.
There’s quite literally something for everyone at MUNCHIES! THCP is just the tip of the iceberg, too. From delta 9 products like edibles to THCP vapes and pre-rolls, your new favorite way to catch a buzz is just a few clicks away!
Final Words on THCP Safety
In closing, is THCP synthetic? Depends on your definition of “synthetic” and the context in which you’re asking. The cannabinoid itself is very real and exists in both hemp and marijuana. But because it’s so trace, most THCP products are made from CBD - so the THCP you end up consuming almost never comes directly from the plant.
Don’t let that deter you from trying this obscure, potent cannabinoid, though. Brands like MUNCHIES! go above and beyond to create safe, high-quality THCP products that are lab-tested for both potency and purity.
Take a look at our lineup and see what catches your eye. You won’t go home empty-handed, and we’re confident you’ll come back for more!
Frequently asked questions
Is THCP synthetic or natural?
The cannabinoid itself is natural. The products you use to consume the cannabinoid are almost always going to contain synthesized THCP, though. That distinction is important, because not every brand has the same standards for how they put THCP in a product.
How safe is THCP?
It depends on the product. The cannabinoid itself is very safe. The only real risk is getting “too high.” That’s real with any cannabinoid, though - not just THCP. As for the products themselves, you just have to do your due diligence and dig into lab testing results. You can shop with confidence here at MUNCHIES! knowing you’re getting the safe, high-quality THCP you crave.
How long does THCP last?
It lasts a little longer than delta 9 THC, but the duration of your high will depend on how you consume it. Edibles last anywhere from 4-8 hours, whereas vapes and pre-rolls peak sooner (15 minutes or less) and will fade off within 2-3 hours.
Related Resources
Does THCP get you high? | THCP vs THCO
References
- Citti C, Linciano P, Russo F, et al. A novel phytocannabinoid isolated from Cannabis sativa L. with an in vivo cannabimimetic activity higher than Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol: Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabiphorol. Sci Rep. 2019;9(1):20335. PubMed
- Catanzaro G, Ferraro G, Ferraro L, et al. An emerging trend in Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPSs): designer THC. J Cannabis Res. 2024;6(1):24. PMC
