THC-P SOUR ZKITTLES INDOOR EXOTIC FLOWER

Zkittlez, also spelled “Skittles,” “Skittlz,” and “Island Skittles,” is an indica marijuana strain developed by crossing Grape Ape and Grapefruit with another, as-yet-unidentified strain.

3rd Gen Family and Terp Hogz bred this strain specifically for its sweet flavor.

Zkittlez has placed highly in several Cannabis Cups in both San Francisco and Michigan, including taking first place at the 2016 Emerald Cup.

This variety’s chunky colas burst forth in a rainbow of pale green hues and exude a delicious, tropical fruit flavor profile.

Zkittlez has a sedative effect on the body, allowing the user to relax and unwind at any time of the day while maintaining a state of alertness and positivity.

The recently discovered cannabinoid THCP occurs naturally in trace amounts in some strains of marijuana and can be synthesized in the lab by modifying CBD derived from legal hemp. In 2019, Italian researchers discovered it by accident while studying a specific strain of marijuana.

In its full form, THCP is known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabiphorol (although you may also hear it referred to as delta 9 THCP or THC-heptyl). Sometimes THC is shortened to THCP, THC-P, or THCp. One store sells it under the name delta-p.

The cannabis industry has found several hemp-derived cannabinoids that can compete with the delta 9 THC found in traditional marijuana, following the massive commercial success of delta 8 THC.

THCP is now available to join the ranks of the other popular cannabinoids in the cannabis industry, including delta 8, delta 10 THC, HHC, and THC-O.

THCP has the potential to offer both recreational users and medical patients novel highs and therapeutic benefits. The potential of THCP has only just begun to be explored.

In other words, what is THCP?
Like delta 9 THC, the cannabinoid found in the highest concentrations across most marijuana strains, THCP is an organic cannabinoid (or phytocannabinoid).

While THCP was initially discovered in a specific strain of cannabis, it is now possible to synthesize the compound in a lab by chemically modifying CBD oil from legal hemp plants.

There is not enough THCP in cannabis flowers to extract it economically, so it must be made in a lab to have any real commercial value.

The molecular structure of THCP is very dissimilar to that of delta 9. The alkyl side chain (the “tail” of atoms protruding from the base of the largest part of the molecule) is more extensive. THCP’s larger side chain (consisting of seven carbon atoms as opposed to delta 9’s five) increases its affinity for the cannabinoid receptors in the human brain and body.

The only source of information on THCP is a 2019 study by a group of Italian academics. Since no studies have been conducted on humans yet, we can only speculate about the effects of THCP based on those of other types of THC.

Is it true that THCP induces inebriation?
The seven-atom extension on the THCP side chain makes it 33 times more potent a ligand for the CB1 receptor than delta 9 THC, as demonstrated in experiments on human cell cultures by the Italian researchers who discovered organic THCP.

However, THCP also binds more strongly with the CB2 receptor, essential because CB1 receptors are the primary targets for inducing psychoactive effects.

So, THCP won’t get you 33 times as high as regular delta 9. Because of individual variation and because some cannabinoids are more potent than others, the endocannabinoid receptors likely have a maximum they can be stimulated to.

Even though some of THCP’s 33-fold greater binding affinity may be lost on cannabinoid receptors that are already at capacity, it appears likely that THCP will be more potent than delta 9 THC for many people. You could potentially experience extreme euphoria.

The researchers who discovered THCP believe that even trace amounts of THCP in certain marijuana strains may explain why those strains appear more intoxicating to users than other strains with similar or even higher levels of delta 9 THC.

Eventually, breeders of the cannabis plant will likely develop new strains with elevated levels of THCP to highlight its effects.

How does THCP make you feel?

Since THCP has a high affinity for cannabinoid receptors, it is likely to cause effects similar to delta 9 THC, if not more potent.

Researchers who found THCP used conventional cannabis experiments with mice to determine the cannabinoid’s physiological effects.

At low doses, mice showed less activity, while at high doses, they entered a trance-like state known as catalepsy.

It seemed that THCP, even in larger doses, was effective as a pain reliever.

Because of its potent binding with cannabinoid receptors, THCP may have many potential medical and therapeutic applications beyond just providing a pleasant high.

While the full therapeutic potential of THCP has not yet been established, it seems likely that its unparalleled binding affinity with human receptors will make it especially useful for treating those and other conditions.

Some of the cannabis’ purported therapeutic effects may be attributable to minute (and hitherto unnoticed) amounts of THCP in existing marijuana strains.

The researchers who identified THCP in 2019 speculated that their finding “may shed light on several pharmacological effects not ascribable solely to [delta 9 THC]” in marijuana.

Unfortunately, the common undesirable side effects of THC, such as dry mouth and eyes, anxiety, and paranoia, could be amplified by the powerful binding affinity of THCP.

Users may be exposed to additional dangers as a result. However, until we see findings from studies involving human participants, we can only speculate.

When compared to THC-O, THCP is a relatively recent development. Unfortunately, there is a lack of high-quality studies (or even many anecdotal reports) that detail what it’s like to use THCP on its own.

Few people have tried it on its own because almost all commercial products containing THCP today are combinations of various THC analogs.

We don’t yet know enough to make a definitive statement about the differences in effect between THCP and THC-O, for example, or between THCP and other popular hemp-derived cannabinoids like delta 8, delta 10, or HHC.

Again, many of the commercially available THCP products feature a cocktail of THCP and other cannabinoids derived from hemp. When a cannabinoid is mixed with two or three others, it is impossible to isolate its individual effects.

Cannabidiphorol (CBDP) was also found in the same cannabis sample as THCP, by the way.

CBDP is a cannabidiol (CBD) derivative with a similar seven-atom side chain to THCP.

Since CBDP’s chemical structure increases its bioactivity, it has the potential to provide even greater therapeutic benefits than CBD in the future.

Will a drug test detect THCP?
There is no research to back up the claim that THCP will result in a positive drug test.

However, there is no reason to doubt that THCP, like THC, does not produce typical THC breakdown products in the human body, which commonly administered drug tests would detect.

The bottom line is that THCP, along with THC and other cannabinoids derived from hemp, is probably best avoided if your employer conducts drug tests related to marijuana use (except safe forms of CBD).

In what states can one purchase THCP, if at all?
In the 2018 Farm Bill, Congress legalized hemp and all its compounds and derivatives, provided that they contain less than 0.3 percent delta 9 THC.

As of May 2022, a federal appeals court ruled that delta 8 THC is a legal hemp product, which appears to apply to other products derived from hemp as well, shielding their producers, distributors, retailers, and consumers from federal prosecution.

However, some individual states have passed legislation making it illegal for stores to sell products containing cannabinoids derived from hemp.

Delta 8 THC has been the sole target of prohibition or restriction in several states.

However, other states might follow Oregon’s lead and outlaw THC-P and other “artificially derived cannabinoids.”

A market niche for THCP, a cannabinoid derived from hemp, is still being carved out, and acquiring it can be challenging.

Most products labeled as containing THCP contain a combination of THCP and other, more common cannabinoids derived from hemp, such as delta 8 THC.

Hemp flower, also known as “THCP flower,” is hemp flower that has been infused or coated with THCP and sold as a vape cartridge or disposable vape (or a blend that includes THCP).