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Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
INN: dronabinol
Tetrahydrocannabinol.svg
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-from-tosylate-xtal-3D-balls.png
Clinical data
Trade names Marinol
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Dependence
liability
8–10% (Relatively low risk of tolerance)
Addiction
liability
Low
Routes of
administration
Orally, local/topical, transdermal, sublingual, inhaled
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 10–35% (inhalation), 6–20% (oral)
Protein binding 97–99%
Metabolism Mostly hepatic by CYP2C
Biological half-life 1.6–59 h, 25–36 h (orally administered dronabinol)
Excretion 65–80% (feces), 20–35% (urine) as acid metabolites
Identifiers
Synonyms  (6aR,10aR)-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, (−)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ECHA InfoCard 100.153.676
Chemical and physical data
Formula C21H30O2
Molar mass 314.469 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
Specific rotation −152° (ethanol)
Boiling point 157 °C (315 °F)
Solubility in water 0.0028, (23 °C) mg/mL (20 °C)
 NYesY (what is this?)  

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, dronabinol, trade name Marinol) is the principal psychoactive constituent (or cannabinoid) of cannabis. The pharmaceutical formulation dronabinol, is available by prescription in the U.S. and Canada. It can be a clear, amber or gold colored glassy solid when cold, which becomes viscous and sticky if warmed.

Like most pharmacologically-active secondary metabolites of plants, THC in Cannabis is assumed to be involved in self-defense, perhaps against herbivores. THC also possesses high UV-B (280–315 nm) absorption properties, which, it has been speculated, could protect the plant from harmful UV radiation exposure.

THC, along with its double bond isomers and their stereoisomers, is one of only three cannabinoids scheduled by the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances (the other two are dimethylheptylpyran and parahexyl). It was listed under Schedule I in 1971, but reclassified to Schedule II in 1991 following a recommendation from the WHO. Based on subsequent studies, the WHO has recommended the reclassification to the less-stringent Schedule III. Cannabis as a plant is scheduled by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (Schedule I and IV). It is specifically still listed under Schedule I by US federal law under the Controlled Substances Act signed by the US Congress in 1970.

Dronabinol is the INN for a pure isomer of THC, (–)-trans-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol, which is the main isomer found in cannabis. It is used to treat anorexia in people with HIV/AIDS as well as for refractory nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy. It is safe and effective for these uses.


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