By Luke Sumpter


THC levels are on the rise. In fact, breeders have continued to push the boundaries for the last few decades. Old-school stoners that smoked weed in the 70s and 80s are likely amazed at what’s on offer today. It’s akin to the rapid advancements in mobile phone technology over the same period; when human ingenuity meets high demand, great progress happens.

But what exactly meets the definition of a “high amount” of THC? Different factors affect this, on a scientific, commercial, and personal level. In the latter case, THC levels of 15% are enough to send some people into space, whereas others require much more. In this article, we’ll consider a high amount of THC as the cutting edge of what modern breeders have achieved.

Continue reading to discover just how strong cannabis has become, how long it takes for THC to degrade, and if THC percentage really matters when selecting a strain. You’ll know plenty more about cannabis phytochemistry before you reach the bottom of the page.

But before we delve into this topic, some newcomers to the world of cannabis might be wondering, "What does THC mean?". THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol—the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The molecule binds to receptors in the brain, and in doing so causes changes in neurotransmitter firing and catalyses a "high".

What’s Considered a High Amount of THC in Weed?

Consumers are constantly seeking the next hard-hitting strain, and breeders are accommodating this demand by chasing genetics that express extremely high levels of THC. Through selective breeding, ever-more potent varieties can be developed.

So, to answer the question on everyone’s mind; a high amount of THC is generally considered to be around 30% in dried and cured buds. Smoking or vaping these flowers alters consciousness to a much more powerful degree than the buds available a couple of decades ago. Moreover, it requires much less to get comparably stoned. Such high levels of the cannabinoid can leave some users overwhelmed and panicked. However, once people have a suitable tolerance, they often find these varieties to induce euphoria, relaxation, and pleasantly intense effects.

Breeders at Royal Queen Seeds have created some powerful strains that work as perfect examples of progress in THC content. Among the most notable are Cookies Gelato, with a THC content of 28%, and Royal Gorilla, with 27% THC.

Advancements in growing techniques are also pushing THC numbers into the stratosphere. While breeders provide the genetic foundation for success, commercial growers are able to harness lighting technology and advances in soil science to unlock the genetic potential of each plant, resulting in higher cannabinoid and terpene concentrations.

What Is Considered High-THC Cannabis?
  • What Is THC Inflation?

But you should always remain sceptical when shopping for cannabis flowers. Some numbers sound too good to be true—and they often are. Untrustworthy companies sometimes shop around at different testing facilities until they settle on the best score, an act known as THC inflation. To try and avoid this, we recommend only shopping at businesses with good reputations and excellent reviews.

  • How Much THC Do Concentrates and Extracts Have?

With the increased potency of cannabis flowers, extracts and concentrates have become easier to make, and exponentially potent. By using already potent plant material, extracts can be made from less bud while offering comparable effects.

Extracts and concentrates such as cannabutter, hash, rosin, wax, and shatter can contain THC percentages of around 80%. Some manufacturers have pushed things a step further with THCA crystals (which convert to THC) boasting a purity of 99.9%.

The Importance of THC Content for Growers and Consumers

Both cannabis growers and consumers will benefit from knowing the THC content of their chosen product, as this provides an accurate indication of how high they’ll get.

One of the great appeals of buying high-THC cannabis is getting the best bang for one's buck. Although it's a nebulous concept at best, customers often want to get as high as possible while spending as little as possible. The problem is, as users of high-THC cannabis often develop high tolerance to the cannabinoid, they end up actually increasing their need for THC, which in turn costs more money in the long run.

In terms of ascertaining accurate THC values, growers get this information from seed banks, which often provide an average expected THC content for a plant grown under a certain set of conditions. Cannabis users lucky enough to live in legal areas can access lab-tested bud with exact THC levels.

In most cannabis dispensaries, not only are customers given the max THC content, but also the amount of THCA—THC's acidic precursor. This is because raw buds don’t actually contain much THC itself. Upon being heated (decarboxylated), THCA converts into THC. However, when looking at the data on a product, you’ll notice the max THC level is slightly lower than the THCA content. That’s because THC has a lower molecular mass than its cannabinoid acid precursor, resulting in slightly lower THC levels when smoking or vaping.

Let’s use the data from a Bubble Kush label as an example of what you can expect to see:

  • THC content: 0.82%
  • THCA content: 17.4%
  • Maximum THC content: 16.1%
What Is Considered High-THC Cannabis?

Bioavailability Matters: How Consumption Method Affects THC Levels

While knowing the amount of THC in a cultivar or extract helps users estimate how it will affect them, these numbers don’t tell the whole story. Different cannabis consumption methods impact the way the body processes THC.

The term bioavailability describes the proportion of THC that enters circulation when introduced to the body. The bioavailability of THC changes depending on how it’s consumed, therefore altering the amount that reaches the bloodstream. Below are some of the most popular consumption methods along with their estimated bioavailability.

Inhalation

Inhaling cannabinoids via smoking or vaping introduces these compounds into the lungs, where they diffuse through the alveoli into the bloodstream. This swift and direct access means inhaling cannabis offers the best rate of bioavailability[1], at 30%.

Oral

Oral ingestion includes consuming capsules, oils, and edibles. This route of administration sends cannabinoids through the digestive tract and liver. Only 4–12% of THC enters circulation with this method; however, it doesn’t remain in its original form for very long. The liver converts the cannabinoid into 11-hydroxy-THC, a much more potent molecule that underpins the intense experiences tied to edibles.

Sublingual

Sublingual ingestion refers to placing cannabis oils under the tongue. Here, cannabinoids diffuse through the oral mucosa into the bloodstream. This route of administration differs from edibles in that it bypasses the liver and sets in much faster. Sublingual administration offers a broad and inconsistent bioavailability of 2–40%.

Does THC Percentage Matter?

You should certainly consider the THC percentage of a product before you buy it. But some cannabis users get so caught up in this cannabinoid that they often forget about the diverse phytochemistry present in cannabis flowers. THC provides the core psychoactive effect of cannabis, but it's the terpenes that decorate this effect with all of the unique twists that every cultivar has to offer.

Terpenes are aromatic hydrocarbons found all throughout nature, and over 200 of them are found in cannabis. But they don’t just smell nice; they have a direct impact on the effect of each strain.

Inhaled terpenes are capable of changing our mood and mental state. Terpenes such as myrcene help us to relax, whereas limonene makes us feel energised. That’s why every high-THC cannabis cultivar hits slightly differently. They all contain high quantities of THC, but their specific blend of terpenes sets them apart.

But THC and terpenes don’t work in isolation. They synergise with each other through the entourage effect to produce more pronounced outcomes. Together, these phytochemicals affect receptors of the endocannabinoid system and elsewhere to create changes in mood and perception. Some terpenes even activate CB1 receptors[2]—the sites that THC binds to in order to get us high.

However, you’ll also want to keep other cannabinoids in mind. If you want to get as high as possible, then shoot for a high-THC variety. But if you want to keep things more mellow, consider a variety that produces a 1:1 ratio of THC and CBD, such as Royal Highness. This cannabinoid profile makes for a more balanced psychoactive effect and helps users feel more in control.

Overall, the THC content of a cultivar determines its potency, but you should also consider the presence of CBD and terpenes to hone in on the nuances of particular strains.

The Emergence of Total Active Cannabinoids (TAC), and What It Means for Consumers

As the industry gets to grips with the complexity of cannabis and begins to shake away the THC-centric approach, dispensaries and other outlets are embracing TAC (total active cannabinoids). Instead of exclusively detailing the THC content of cannabis varieties, TAC labels touch upon the presence of other key cannabinoids.

There are over 100 cannabinoids in cannabis flowers, and they vary in quantity depending on the strain. Researchers are still getting to grips with these compounds, but they've achieved a fairly good understanding of the major cannabinoids so far:

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabigerol (CBG) Cannabichromene (CBC)
Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV)



Each of these cannabinoids offers a unique effect. While all but THC are non-intoxicating (with a debate still revolving around THCV), they have different effects upon the endocannabinoid system, and therefore a different impact on our body and mind.

TAC helps consumers determine what they're in for with a particular variety so they can effectively locate a product that suits their wants and needs.

The term “chemovar” is used to describe cannabis varieties defined by their chemical constituents. In this way, individual cultivars can be more accurately categorised and studied, rather than focusing solely on strain type (i.e. indica, sativa, or ruderalis) or a singular dominant cannabinoid (e.g. THC or CBD).

What Is Considered High-THC Cannabis?

How Long Does THC Take To Lose Its Potency?

When storing cannabis flowers or concentrates for prolonged periods, it's important to consider the rate of THC degradation. If you purchased buds with a THC content of 20%, for example, don’t expect to get quite as high after keeping them stashed away for a year. Various factors cause THCA to degrade into THC, and subsequently into the byproduct cannabinol (CBN). Although mildly psychoactive, CBN doesn’t produce the same high as THC.

Factors that influence THC degradation include exposure to light, consistently high temperatures, and time.

Your buds will lose approximately 16% of their THC content over a year when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place, making them considerably less psychoactive than recently cured flowers. They’ll still contain plenty of CBN, but expect a different experience to fresh buds of the same cultivar.

How THC Potency Affect Edibles: Another Story

Listen closely now. We might just save you from a bad edibles experience! Cannabis edibles are notorious for taking people on a wild ride. Sure, they are innately powerful, but most people have a hard time because they underestimate the power of eating weed.

Not only do edibles take longer to set in, but the effects also last much longer; prepare for an experience that lasts 4–8 hours. Not only that, but edibles turn the conventional effects of THC on their head, making dosing more difficult. As briefly mentioned above, the liver converts THC (delta-9-THC) into 11-hydroxy-THC, which has much greater intoxicating potential. Although your body will only uptake up to 4–12% of the THC you consume, even seemingly small amounts can catch you off guard. As such, when making and taking edibles, it’s recommended to use strains with moderate THC contents, and to dose each serving with small amounts of THC.

The Trouble With Chasing THC: Here’s to a More Informative Future

Many seed banks and dispensaries still focus on THC as the primary constituent of concern when selling their products. However, some are taking the first pioneering steps into the domain of listing TAC and using the chemovar categorisation system. Ultimately, this will tell cannabis growers and users much more about how high they’ll get, and steer them in the right direction when making a purchase.

Not only that, but the desire to create ever-more powerful strains is slowly waning. As businesses and consumers learn the importance of the entire cannabis phytocomplex, we will start to see more diverse profiles in addition to strains with THC levels well into the 30% range.

We’re still in the early stages of this development, but we recommend utilising TAC labels where possible. Keep track of the effects and benefits you find with each chemovar (the RQS Grow Planner is the perfect place to record your thoughts), and you’ll soon find out how certain terpenes and cannabinoids influence the high, and which combinations work the best for you.

External Resources:
  1. Pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Cannabis sativa terpenes are cannabimimetic and selectively enhance cannabinoid activity | Scientific Reports https://www.nature.com
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: