Delta 11 THC

Delta 11 THC is a very minor, naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant, rather than a synthesized one. While it’s considered new to us, it was in fact referenced for the first time in the 1970s, although practically no research exists that gives us meaningful information about it. Besides the fact that we know it’s psychoactive, we barely have any research to reference to get a clearer picture of its properties.

What we do know is that delta 11 THC can be made through a process of isomerization, just like all cannabinoids, because of the fact that its molecular makeup matches all other cannabinoids in hemp, including cannabidiol (CBD). This comes from the knowledge that every cannabinoid is ultimately derived from cannabigerol (CBG), the “mother cannabinoid” that eventually splits off into 100+ individual cannabinoids once the hemp plant matures.

It's important to make one distinction, as delta 11 THC is commonly confused with 11-hydroxy THC. The latter is a metabolite that THC converts into once it reaches the liver, to get broken down and become THC-COOH, the metabolite notorious for causing a positive drug test result. Delta 11 THC is not 11-hydroxy THC, but you may come across some confusion while researching the cannabinoid.