What is TAC (total cannabinoids)?
TAC (total cannabinoids) is the sum of all the cannabinoids in a strain's buds: THC, CBD and the other substances in that family. Some seed banks give this figure instead of the THC percentage, or alongside it.
The cannabis plant makes dozens of its own substances, called cannabinoids. The best known are THC, which is responsible for the psychoactive effect, and CBD, which doesn't get you high. But there are many more, like CBG or CBN, which usually appear in small amounts.
TAC brings them all together in a single figure. It's like looking at the total of a shopping basket instead of the price of a single product: it tells you how much there's overall, but not what is inside.
The letters stand for total active cannabinoids, and you'll sometimes see it written simply as total cannabinoids.
How to read TAC on a product page
Keep these points in mind:
- TAC is always equal to or higher than THC. If a product page says "TAC: 25%", the THC will be somewhat lower, because part of that total is other cannabinoids.
- Don't compare TAC with THC. If one strain says "TAC: 25%" and another "THC: 22%", you cannot tell which has more THC. Always compare the same figure.
- Look at the type of strain. In a CBD-rich variety, TAC can be high even if THC is low, because a good part of the total is CBD.
- It's a guide, not a guarantee. As with THC, the actual result depends on how it's grown, when it's harvested and on each plant.
Why do some seed banks give TAC?
Because it gives a fuller picture of the plant's makeup, especially in strains with several notable cannabinoids. If what you care about is psychoactive potency, look for the THC figure. If the product page only gives TAC, treat it as a ceiling: the THC will be below it.
Related terms
Before you grow, check the laws in your country: growing cannabis is not allowed everywhere.
