The ABCs of THC

From marijuana and hemp-derived THC to CBD and kratom, the market for cannabis-related and other psychoactive substances has grown increasingly complex. Products come in many forms, from gummies and vape cartridges to oils, powders, and beverages, often with confusing labels and misleading safety claims. While some of these substances have legitimate medical or industrial uses, others can pose serious risks, particularly when they contain high concentrations of intoxicating compounds or undisclosed ingredients. As state and federal laws evolve, parents and policymakers must understand the differences between these substances, the risks they pose, and the regulatory gaps that can leave families vulnerable.

THC

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, the primary intoxicating compound in cannabis. It is a psychoactive compound responsible for the “high” associated with marijuana. There are several forms of THC, including delta-9 THC, delta-8 THC, and delta-10 THC. Delta-9 is the primary form naturally found in marijuana, while delta-8 and delta-10 occur naturally in much smaller amounts and are often manufactured or concentrated for commercial products.

THC can be found in both marijuana and hemp, which are varieties of the cannabis plant. The concentration of THC, the amount consumed, and the method of consumption can all influence its effects. THC can impair memory, judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Higher-potency products may increase the risk of adverse effects, including anxiety, panic, paranoia, and psychotic symptoms. The THC industry has put this drug in everything imaginable – foods, candies, drinks, vapes, and more. Consumers can access a variety of these products not only in pot shops, but also from gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants.

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and can be found in marijuana and hemp plants as well. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce an intoxicating high and is not psychoactive. It is often used for anxiety, pain relief, and inflammation through lotions, gummies, and pills. There is currently one FDA-approved CBD medication called Epidiolex that treats two rare epileptic disorders.

Even though CBD is not intoxicating on its own, it is often combined with THC or other chemicals to produce a high. Dr. Michelle Peace, a forensic toxicologist at Virginia Commonwealth University, tests products like these to see exactly what manufacturers are peddling to consumers. After a graduate student contacted Dr. Peace’s lab complaining of rapid heart rate and hallucinations from vaping CBD, their team did a forensic analysis on the drug inside the vape.

Dr. Peace found that the vape was purchased from Diamond CBD. This company sells a wide variety of products containing CBD, THC, and bath salts in various forms such as vapes, oils, and gummies. They even have kosher and vegan products. She bought samples straight from the website, where all were marketed as a soothing experience. In 4 out of 9 products, she found a synthetic cannabinoid called 5F-ADB, which is often known as “Spice” or “K2.” This compound causes psychoactive symptoms. She likened it to the snake-oil scams in the 1800s “when guys were selling sham tinctures in glass bottles.”

Marijuana

Marijuana or “weed” is the drug most familiar to people today. The plant itself is a form of cannabis and contains THC and CBD. Since its spike in popularity during the 1970s, states have regulated it in various ways. Some have completely legalized it to be consumed medically and recreationally, while others may only allow the medical consumption of weed. Only 5 states prohibit both forms.

Today, the marijuana that is being sold legally and illegally is not the same drug as in the 70s. Back then, the marijuana flower contained, on average, 1-2% THC. The flower today can contain up to 30% THC. When concentrated, THC levels can reach up to 90%. This can cause a slew of symptoms that can also lead to death. Among those symptoms are psychosis, anxiety, cognitive decline, schizophrenia, hyperemesis, and impotence. For minors, the effects are more severe due to their developing brain.

The rhetoric that marijuana is non-addictive is false. The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that 30% of users have a marijuana use disorder. For those under 18, addiction was 7 times more likely to occur. A 2022 study showed that 30% of 12th graders reported use in the last year. Unfortunately, that often leads to long-term use, causing them to drop out of high school or college and can cause a permanent drop in users’ IQ.

The Trump administration has made changes to federal laws surrounding marijuana. For decades, marijuana was classified as a Schedule I drug because of its potential for abuse and no known commonly accepted medical use. Earlier this year, the Department of Justice placed medical marijuana in Schedule III along with Tylenol with codeine. They claim that because more than half the states have legalized so-called ‘medical marijuana,’ that proves THC has a commonly accepted medical use.  But this is an example of circular reasoning, not science.

Hemp

Hemp and marijuana come from the same plant species, Cannabis sativa, but they are treated differently under federal law because of their chemical composition and intended uses. Hemp is commonly grown for industrial purposes, including textiles, paper, building materials, and food products. Hemp seeds and hempseed oil can be used in foods, while other parts of the plant can be processed to produce CBD and other cannabinoids.

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the federal Controlled Substances Act’s definition of marijuana, defining hemp as cannabis containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight. While this oversight was needed, it created a loophole for the production of delta-8 THC and other THC derivatives. This was not the intention of lawmakers who wanted to help the industrial hemp market and its farmers. This led to a rapid expansion of intoxicating products derived from hemp, including delta-8 THC gummies, vapes, beverages, and other products sold in convenience stores, gas stations, and online. The intoxicating hemp industry appealed to children by marketing delta-8 with bright colors, cartoon characters, fruit flavors, and familiar candy themes. Poison control centers and emergency rooms have received a rapid uptick in calls and visits and even deaths.

The 2026 Farm Bill closed the hemp loophole by requiring delta-8 to be held to the same standard as delta-9. This was set to go into effect in November of this year. In August, lawmakers voted to delay the restrictions on natural THC by one month while keeping the synthetic regulations in place. However, synthetics only make up a very small portion of what is sold and intoxicating hemp, whether synthesized or not, has the same damaging effects on the body and mind.

Kratom

Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Its leaves contain naturally occurring compounds, including mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH), that act on opioid receptors in the body. Kratom is sold in the United States in forms such as powders, capsules, teas, extracts, and liquid shots. Similar to THC products, consumers use it to manage pain, fatigue, or opioid withdrawal, but the FDA has not approved kratom as a medication for any of these purposes.

Kratom is also known as “gas station heroin” due to its easy accessibility and low cost in convenience stores. The FDA has warned about serious adverse effects associated with kratom, including liver toxicity, seizures, substance use disorder, and, in some cases, death. Last month, two students at the University of Mississippi were found dead after using kratom. Students like these are more susceptible to using Kratom since it is marketed to give energy and ease anxiety.

7-OH

Kratom and 7-OH are often sold together. Although 7-OH occurs naturally in kratom leaves in small amounts, some manufacturers produce concentrated products or add enhanced amounts of the compound to gummies, tablets, drink mixes, and shots. These products can have much stronger opioid-like effects than traditional kratom leaf preparations.

The FDA has specifically warned consumers to avoid concentrated 7-OH products because they have not been established as safe or effective for any medical use. In 2025, the agency issued warning letters to companies illegally marketing these products and recommended that 7-OH be added to the federal Controlled Substances Act. In December 2025, the FDA and the Department of Justice also announced the seizure of approximately 73,000 units of concentrated 7-OH products from three Missouri companies.

Then, in October 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) issued notices of intent concerning proposed Schedule I controls for certain 7-OH products and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, using thresholds intended to distinguish concentrated or enhanced formulations from ordinary kratom leaf products. To be clear, both forms of Kratom are highly dangerous and have no medical benefits. The DEA should ban it altogether. 

Synthetic vs. Natural

Dr. Peace’s research, as mentioned above, is a good example of the harms of synthetic compounds. Synthetics are wildly unpredictable and often not tested for appropriate consumption. Dr. Peace mentioned a sickening list of chemicals found in her research that includes cough syrup, brake cleaner, and nail polish remover. This can cause severe damage to users’ internal organs and brains.

Does that mean “natural” is better? Not necessarily. THC itself comes from these plants. It can be considered “natural,” but in concentrated quantities, it’s extremely dangerous. Keep in mind, other hard drugs such as cocaine and opium are ‘natural’, too. Substances that are derived from a natural plant can still be harmful and even deadly. 

Criminal Ties

Even though marijuana is legal in many states, that has not eliminated the black market for this and other intoxicating products. For example, in 2016, California completely legalized marijuana, but owning a pot shop was extremely costly and consumers were less likely to pay the 25-50% tax on legal products when illegal forms could be acquired for much less money. In 2024, the illegal grower farms in the state produced 11.4 million pounds of marijuana while the state’s licensed farms only produced 1.4 million pounds. This outrageous amount is more than even Californians can consume, so much of it is being smuggled into other states across the U.S.

Marijuana and THC production also pose an international security concern for the United States. Chinese criminal organizations have established illegal cannabis-growing operations across the country, often exploiting rural communities and private property. These operations have been linked to human trafficking, utility theft, the use of illegal pesticides, and other criminal activity. In states such as California, Maine, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Massachusetts, law enforcement investigations have uncovered organized, mafia-like networks involved in these activities, including allegations of murder, illegal firearms possession, and other violent crimes. In response to these growing concerns, a group of U.S. Senators has urged the Department of Justice to investigate Chinese criminal organizations’ involvement in illegal marijuana production and distribution.

The illicit drug industry is not one we can legislate broadly. To create good policy that protects Americans, we must understand the intentions of the marijuana industry and what they are pushing onto the market. They are looking for a quick buck, but we are standing up for the long-term health of our future generations. Eagle Forum Chair Anne Schlafly spoke about how Kratom and Marijuana Harms Us All at Eagle Council. You can watch that video here. She also has a book for parents to learn about these harms called Throwing Children Under the Cannabis. You can purchase the book on our website here.