THC-O-acetate

THC acetate ester (THC-O-acetate; THC acetate) is the acetate ester of THC. It acts as a metabolic prodrug for THC itself, and chemically works the same way that heroin does as a metabolic prodrug for morphine. It has been reported to be approximately two times as potent as THC to approximately three times as potent as THC with a unique psychedelic high described as follows.

Physical data, chemistry & properties

THC acetate ester is reportedly a brown oil that is soluble in petroleum ether and ethanol. It can reportedly be synthesized from THC or from THCA. Made from THC, "there is a 25% increase in weight after adding the acetate structure."

The acetylation of THC does not change the properties of the compound to the same extent as with other acetate esters (e.g. morphine vs heroin), as the parent compound (THC) is already highly lipophilic, but potency is nonetheless increased to some extent. This derivative of THC is notable in that it is one of the few analogues of THC to have been encountered as a recreational drug sold and used in a highly pure smokable form.