Rare THCV Cannabis Emerges in California After 50 Years

CALIFORNIA – A cannabis discovery from half a century ago, featuring the elusive compound tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), is finally surfacing in California’s legal cannabis market, according to SFGate.

A previously unknown cannabis compound, tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), was discovered by researchers at the University of Oxford in 1970. Unlike the well-known THC and CBD, THCV quickly gained notoriety among cannabis aficionados for its elusive and purportedly remarkable effects, earning monikers like the “sports car of weed.”

For decades, THCV remained an enigma, with enthusiasts scouring the world for a reliable source. However, California’s legal cannabis market is now experiencing a surge in THCV availability. This transformation can be attributed to two key factors: the 2018 federal legalization of hemp, which expanded access to synthetic cannabinoids, and advancements in cultivating pot plants naturally rich in THCV.

Retailers are eagerly ordering new THCV products, such as mints, pre-rolled joints, pills, and espresso-flavored shots. Although scientific research on THCV’s effects in humans remains limited, early findings suggest that it may interact with the body’s receptors in a unique way, potentially promoting alertness and reducing appetite.

THCV’s high cost has been a challenge, as it is the most expensive cannabis compound available. However, developments in cannabis cultivation and the efforts of companies like Phylos Bioscience are contributing to the surge in THCV products. Phylos is even funding clinical trials to explore how THCV affects humans.

“There are other benefits people want to get from cannabis, and this seemed to create a new category of consumption,” says Phylos CEO Ralph Risch.

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