THC

noun

ˌtē-(ˌ)āch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ from hemp plant resin

especially : one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana

When a person tokes, eats or vapes cannabis, a wave of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, washes into the brain.

—Laura Sanders

THC, the main chemical component of marijuana, has been shown to reduce nausea and increase appetite in chemotherapy patients.

—Andrew Weil

THC disappears from blood quickly as it is absorbed in the brain, making blood tests a more reliable measure of recent use but not a great correlate of impairment.

—Eliza Gray

Examples of THC in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Because of this similarity, THC is able to attach to molecules called cannabinoid receptors on neurons in these brain areas and activate them, changing various mental and physical functions. —Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

Wisconsin public health officials are urging customers who bought pizza from a local restaurant this week to throw it out, after the pizzas were found to have been contaminated with THC. —Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 27 Oct. 2024

Similarly, Sativex, which contains both THC and CBD, is prescribed for spasticity due to multiple sclerosis. —Calvin Rasode, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2024

Officials said the oil in a container used to make the pizza tested positive for THC. —Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

tetrahydrocannabinol

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

THC

noun

ˌtē-ˌāch-ˈsē 

: either of two physiologically active isomers C₂₁H₃₀O₂ that occur naturally in hemp plant resin or are synthetically prepared:

a

: one that is the chief intoxicant in marijuana and is used medicinally

called also delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, delta-9-THC

see dronabinol

b

: one that is present in marijuana only in minute quantities