By Max Sargent


There’s more to weed than just THC. In fact, there’s more to weed than just cannabinoids. The effects one feels from using cannabis, whether smoked, vaped, or ingested by some other means, are the result of an intricate dance between a host of compounds with synergistic relationships. However, many of these compounds are poorly understood.

Still, if buying cannabis legally (or, who knows, from the best dealer ever), the total active cannabinoids (TAC) should be displayed on the cannabis label. If you know what sort of high you like, then honing in on strains or products with your favourite compounds is a great way to maximise your experience. It becomes even more important for those who consider themselves medical users, as certain compounds and ratios may be more suited to soothing specific symptoms than others.

Ultimately, regardless of what type of cannabis user you are, knowing the TAC of your product can massively improve your experience.

What Is TAC?

TAC, in weed terminology, refers to total active cannabinoids—the amount of detectable cannabinoids in a cannabis product that will, in some way, affect its high or overall effects. This synergistic relationship is known as the entourage effect. Sometimes expressed in the context of TAC vs THC, the two are not in opposition, but rather enhance each other.

The entourage effect is currently little-understood, to the extent that its existence is not even certain. However, research indicates that it is probably a real phenomenon.

In any case, it is speculated that the myriad cannabinoids (and other compounds) in certain strains work together to determine the final effects. It is not as simple as X amount of THC equals Y high. In the most well-known example of the entourage effect, CBD has been shown to counteract some of the psychotropic effects of THC. So, by moving closer to a 1:1 CBD to THC ratio, the negative effects of THC—such as paranoia and a racing heart—may be reduced.

This is but one example involving only two cannabinoids, but there could be a huge number of different molecules interacting directly and indirectly within the body to influence the overall effect.

What Is TAC?

TAC (Total Active Cannabinoids) vs TAC (Total Aerobic Count)

In regard to cannabis, TAC can also refer to the “total aerobic count”. This is the industry term—across all of agriculture—used to describe the total microbial content of a product.

In commercial cannabis operations, breeders often have to submit their cannabis for TAC testing before it goes to market. However, it is not a particularly illuminating practice, and is of limited use.

Though it can tell you what the microbial count is, total aerobic count can't give an indication of whether those microbes are pathogenic or beneficial. For instance, many cannabis growers use Bacillus subtilis, an organic bacterial fungicide, to protect their plants. Consequently, the final product could have a high TAC count despite posing no health risks to end users. Likewise, a low TAC count does not indicate a low presence of pathogenic microbes.

To buyers, though, this is of little concern, as the total aerobic count is unlikely to be advertised on the final product. The total active cannabinoids, however, may well be.

What Cannabinoids Are in Weed?

There are 113 known cannabinoids produced in the cannabis plant. Technically, these are called phytocannabinoids—with “phyto” relating to plants.

Of these 113 phytocannabinoids, the two most abundant (and famous) are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). There are, however, far, far more. The first cannabinoid to form in the cannabis plant is cannabigerolic acid (CBGA). It is from CBGA that all other cannabinoids are produced.

Although the body of research is very limited in this context, there are certain ancillary cannabinoids that have caught the attention of researchers and cannabis users:

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA)
This is the precursor to THC, which must go through decarboxylation (heating) to become active. Much of this happens when cannabis is smoked, vaped, or otherwise sufficiently heated.
Cannabinol (CBN)
When THC degrades, it becomes CBN. Research is being conducted into CBN’s potential effects on sleep[3].
Cannabichromene (CBC)
This is not as well-understood as some other cannabinoids. However, it seems to have a strong affinity for CB2 receptors, whereas THC has a greater affinity for CB1 receptors. Research suggests that combining the two may result in more comprehensive outcomes via the entourage effect.
Cannabidivarin (CBDV)
This compound is not so abundant in most commercially available strains of cannabis, but is more common in wild indica landraces found in Central Asia. It has a similar chemical structure to CBD, and is thought to offer similar effects.

Other Notable Compounds in Cannabis

Cannabinoids are not the only compounds that play a part in the entourage effect. Terpenes, flavonoids, and fatty acids all take active roles as well.

This may come as a surprise, but, in fact, the effects of most drugs can be significantly altered by inhibiting one enzyme or producing more of a certain neurotransmitter, for example.

Take ayahuasca for example. The active ingredient—that which causes the high—is DMT. However, DMT cannot usually reach the brain due to the presence of monoamine oxidase (MAO), an enzyme. Yet, part of the ayahuasca mixture contains an MAO inhibitor. By suppressing that enzyme, the body is able to digest DMT in such a way that it crosses the blood–brain barrier.

That is but one example of how something with no psychoactive effects can be an essential piece of the overall psychotropic puzzle.

  • Terpenes

Terpenes are the compounds that give cannabis its distinctive scents and flavours. These aromatic molecules are not only found in the cannabis plant, though. On the contrary, they are found in most plants, and ultimately make their way into essential oils and a host of other pleasant-smelling products. Aside from the dank smell of cannabis, terpenes are responsible for the scents of a pine forest, the aroma of lemons, rosemary, and so on.

It was once thought that terpenes affected people by their smell alone, and that different smells had mild effects on mood. It is now known that certain terpenes interact with the body directly, including via the endocannabinoid system. Beta-caryophyllene, for example, activates CB2 receptors in the immune system.

There are hundreds of terpenes, but some of the most prevalent in cannabis include:

Pinene As the name suggests, pinene gives off that woody scent of sap and pine. It is thought to be one of the more energising terpenes.
Linalool Gives off a floral scent and produces a soothing effect; also found in lavender.
Limonene If you’ve smelled much weed, you know the uplifting scent of limonene. This, as the name suggests, is the terpene that gives cannabis that powerful, citric tang.
Eucalyptol Gives off the same fresh scent as eucalyptus and works as an antioxidant.
  • Flavonoids

Flavonoids are found in most plants, where they tend to play the role of pigments. When consumed in food, they have antioxidant effects and a host of other benefits. However, they are little-understood in terms of cannabis, and smoking specifically. Eating something is very different to combusting it!

That said, it appears flavonoids interact with the endocannabinoid system to some degree. If this is the case, then although it may be too early to say exactly what influence flavonoids have on the entourage effect, it is highly likely they do affect the process.

  • Fatty Acids

There are a host of fatty acids found in cannabis. Again, they have been little-studied, but preliminary research suggests that they too can interact with the endocannabinoid system. By facilitating the binding of 2-AG to the CB1 and CB2 receptors, they are thought to play a potential role in the entourage effect.

TAC in Weed: The Takeaway

So, it’s clear that the overall effects of cannabis aren’t just dictated by two Special Cannabinoid Strains - Royal Queen Seeds. Whether you’re getting high or enjoying a non-psychotropic form of cannabis, there are potentially hundreds of different molecules working to fine-tune your experience.

Of what use is this to you? Well, if you’re able to determine the TAC of cannabis strains/products before buying, you'll be more equipped to achieved the desired effect, and limit any effects you don’t fancy.

Of course, even if you live somewhere where cannabis is legal and manufacturers list the TAC, it’s still not going to tell you every compound in there. But it should break down the major cannabinoids, and maybe even some terpenes too.

Going forward, it’s likely we’ll discover more about the roles different compounds play. In fact, that’s exactly what we’re doing at RQS. RQS Pro is a new initiative that has set out to perform cutting-edge research into cannabis and its components. In time, we will come to have a greater understanding of all their different functions, and how best to harness them. By understanding the different compounds in cannabis, we'll eventually be able to breed an incredible array of strains with tailored ratios. Whatever you want, we'll likely have it.

External Resources:
  1. The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No "Strain," No Gain - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. A tale of two cannabinoids: the therapeutic rationale for combining tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. Synthesis and pharmacological effects in mice of halogenated cannabinol derivatives - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. Cannabichromene is a cannabinoid CB 2 receptor agonist - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. Interactions of flavonoids and other phytochemicals with adenosine receptors - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. An entourage effect: inactive endogenous fatty acid glycerol esters enhance 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol cannabinoid activity - PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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: