THC-O-acetate

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THC-O-acetate
Systematic (IUPAC) name
O-acetyl-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol
Identifiers
CAS number 23132-17-4
ATC code  ?
PubChem 198013
Chemical data
Formula C23H32O3 
Mol. mass 356.498 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability  ?
Metabolism  ?
Half life  ?
Excretion  ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.

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Legal status
Routes  ?

THC acetate ester is a derivative of THC which has been found by the DEA as an apparent controlled substance analogue of THC. It was apparently made by extracting and purifying THC from cannabis plant material followed by reaction with acetic anhydride in an analogous manner to how heroin is made from morphine. It is unclear what advantage was sought by the acetylation of THC as the parent compound is already highly lipophillic, but it is likely that the manufacturer erroneously thought that potency or subjective effects would be increased in an analogous manner to the difference between morphine and heroin. Nevertheless this derivative of THC is interesting as one of the few analogues of THC to have been encountered as a recreational drug sold and used in a highly pure smokable form.