What is THC?
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the substance in cannabis responsible for its psychoactive effect, meaning that change in how you feel and perceive things that people call being "high". The plant produces it mainly in its flowers, the buds.
The cannabis plant makes dozens of its own substances, called cannabinoids. THC is the best known, because it's the one you can feel.
It forms in the trichomes, tiny glands, like little hairs with a ball on the tip, that cover the buds and give them that shiny, sticky look. The more trichomes a plant has, the more resin it produces.
A curious detail: in the living plant, almost all the THC is in a form that has no effect yet, THCA. It turns into THC with heat, for example when you smoke, vaporize or cook it.
Do seeds contain THC?
No. Cannabis seeds contain practically no THC. THC appears as the plant grows and flowers. So when we talk about a strain's THC, we mean the THC its buds will have once it has been grown.
What the THC percentage on a product page means
On our product pages you'll see figures like "THC: 20–25%". This is the proportion of THC in the dried buds of that strain, according to the data from the seed bank that created it.
Keep three things in mind:
- It's a guide, not a guarantee. The actual result depends on how you grow: light, care, when you harvest…
- Every plant is a little different. Even if they come from the same pack, two plants can give slightly different values.
- More THC isn't always better. A high percentage means a more intense effect. If you don't have much experience, a strain with moderate THC may feel more pleasant.
THC and CBD aren't the same
CBD is another cannabinoid in the plant, but it doesn't get you high. That's why there are varieties with lots of CBD and very little THC, for people looking for a gentle effect.
Related terms
Before you grow, check the laws in your country: growing cannabis is not allowed everywhere.
