Why it matters
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is concentrated in the trichomes of female cannabis flowers. It binds CB1 receptors in the central nervous system as a partial agonist, producing altered perception, euphoria, appetite stimulation, and at higher doses anxiety, tachycardia, and impaired short-term memory. Onset depends on route: inhalation peaks in minutes, oral edibles peak in 1–3 hours after first-pass conversion to the more potent 11-hydroxy-THC.
In practice
For consumers the practical levers are dose (in milligrams, not grams of flower), ratio with CBD and other cannabinoids, and route. A 2.5mg edible behaves differently than a 25mg edible, and either behaves differently than the same dose vaped.
Common confusion
“THC” colloquially often refers specifically to delta-9, but the THC family includes delta-8, delta-10, THCV, THCA, and THCP — each with distinct pharmacology.
This glossary entry is editorial content reviewed against primary sources. It is not medical advice. See our Editorial Policy.