Identify the compound that is the primary psychoactive constituent of marijuana.

Identify the compound that is the primary psychoactive constituent of marijuana.

• A. A THC
• B. B CBD
• C. C CBN
• D. D THCA

Answer: (A)

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main chemical responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis. It activates the brain’s endocannabinoid system by binding predominantly to CB1 receptors, which modulates neurotransmitter release and leads to the characteristic high—altered perception, mood changes, slowed thinking, and impaired coordination. Other cannabinoids don’t produce these strong psychoactive effects in the same way: CBD (cannabidiol) is not intoxicating and can even lessen some of THC’s effects; CBN (cannabinol) has only mild psychoactivity and is typically present in small amounts; THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the non-psychoactive precursor found in raw cannabis and becomes THC only after heating. Therefore, the best answer is THC because it directly creates the primary psychoactive experience.

THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main chemical responsible for the intoxicating effects of cannabis. It activates the brain’s endocannabinoid system by binding predominantly to CB1 receptors, which modulates neurotransmitter release and leads to the characteristic high—altered perception, mood changes, slowed thinking, and impaired coordination. Other cannabinoids don’t produce these strong psychoactive effects in the same way: CBD (cannabidiol) is not intoxicating and can even lessen some of THC’s effects; CBN (cannabinol) has only mild psychoactivity and is typically present in small amounts; THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the non-psychoactive precursor found in raw cannabis and becomes THC only after heating. Therefore, the best answer is THC because it directly creates the primary psychoactive experience.