What Are THC Pills? Everything You Should Know

Updated: January 31, 2022

The legal cannabis industry has come a long way over the past two decades or so. Currently, 18 states, Washington D.C., and four out of the five permanently inhabited U.S. territories have legalized some form of recreational cannabis and another 36 have approved medical use. With all of that progress in the way of legal cannabis, it only makes sense that we've seen an astounding amount of innovation when it comes to the forms of cannabis consumers have the option to enjoy. 

Long gone are the days when the only way to enjoy cannabis was to roll up a joint or blunt, pack a bowl or bong full of dried cannabis flower, or choking down a poorly made pot brownie or weedy-tasting gummy. There's been a massive rise in more distilled forms of cannabis like concentrates, hash, resin, vapes, and gourmet, designer edibles that taste so good you'd never even notice the weed in them. One form of cannabis consumption that we want to highlight today, however, is the THC pill. 

This article is going to go in-depth and break down exactly what a THC pill is, how and why they work as effectively as they do, and why they're rapidly rising in popularity. So with that in mind, let's get right into it! 

How Do THC Pills Work?

Very simply, THC pills are tablets that contain either liquid concentrate or ground-up flower derived from the marijuana plant. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol) are the two most common cannabinoids found within the marijuana plant; and unlike CBD, THC is known for its psychoactive effects. Once ingested, THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, which then creates the "high" that weed and various other cannabis-infused products is known for. At the same time, THC is also known to bind with CB2 receptors, which are located within the immune system. Due to these complex and varied interactions that THC has with our body, THC has some profound and well-studied overall health benefits like pain releif, easing nausia, promoting sleep, and increasing appetite just to name a few. For people suffering with or going through treatment for serious conditions like cancer, these effects can be life-saving.

THC pills, however, are a bit of a different beast when it comes to THC delivery systems, however. Compared to other forms of marijuana, THC capsules (i.e. marijuana pills and cannabis capsules) hit your system just a little differently. Capsules are made of either animal-based gelatin or a vegetable-based starch, both of which require 20-30 minutes to dissolve once ingested. Then, much like other edibles, the THC must be absorbed through the digestive system over the course of 1-2 hours. Because of this, the effects of THC tablets may take upward of two hours to become noticeable. This slow delivery method is good for a couple of reasons. Since they come as individual pills instead of relying on the users to dose themselves, they're easy to dose. With a THC-infused tincture, for example, it's difficult to get the exact same dosage every single time you use it so your effects may vary. Not enough THC in your system and you might be forced to deal with some breakthrough pain or ineffective treatment of what ails you. Too much THC and you'll be couch-locked and high as a kite instead of being productive and pain-free. THC pills that the measuring and guess-work when it comes to dosage out of the equation. 

If you're wondering "how long do THC pills last," however, that's a harder question to answer. It all depends on your tolerance and the pill's concentration. Other factors that could impact the way that THC hits you are things like your sex, weight, whether you have food in your stomach or not, other medications you're using, and what conditions you're looking to treat. That's why it's so important to always consult with licensed medical cannabis doctors before making any serious decisions when it comes to treating ailments with cannabis alone. As a general rule, however, the more THC there is in a pill the longer it will last. 

The effects from THC absorbed through the digestive system, like THC pills, normally peak after a few hours. While the "high" won't last nearly this long (upward of 3-8 hours), the medicinal benefits may last between 12-24 hours. Because of this, we suggest taking small doses (that goes for any type of cannabis product) until you find the ideal amount for your own use. Once you figure out the sweet spot for you, you'll know exactly how much to take, how long it will last, and the impact it will have on your beforehand. Predictability is key here! 

Are THC Pills Legal?

The answer to this question depends on which state you live in. There are currently 18 states where recreational weed is legal and 36 states that have legalized medical marijuana. In those 36 medically legal states, you should be able to find THC pills at a local dispensary and use them legally as long as you have a medical cannabis card of your own. However, if you're in a state where marijuana has not been legalized in any capacity, then THC pills are not legal to buy or use. If you are looking for the medical benefits of cannabis and live in a state where medical marijuana is illegal, we suggest asking your doctor about certain synthetic cannabis pills like Delta-8.

The Benefits and Side Effects of THC Pills

Before we dive into the potential medical benefits of marijuana, let's quickly discuss the psychoactive effect that many people are looking for when they consume cannabis. Yes, THC pills can absolutely get you high - it simply depends on the concentration of THC within the pill and the amount you take. One potential downside for some could be how long it takes for the THC pills effects (including the high) to kick in. As we discussed above, it may take up to two hours before any benefits begin to present themselves. However, the convenience and cleanliness of capsules may win people over. Like other edibles, you don't have to worry about the negative effects of smoking, nor do you have to consider the smell that's often a dead giveaway that you're getting high. Simply put, THC pills are a simple to dose, no mess, healthier way to consume cannabis and get the positive effects of THC without the need to potentially harm your lungs by smoking it. 

Now onto the potential medical benefits of THC pills. The benefits of THC have been noted by medical professionals for years now, despite the slow acceptance by the mainstream that cannabis is a safe and natural form of medicine.The medical benefits THC have been shown clinically to provide include relief from chronic pain, use as a muscle relaxant, and help in decreasing aches and tremors. It's also thought to be helpful for managing nausea and weight loss, improving sleep, and combating the symptoms of PTSD. While there aren't many studies, there are a lot of benefits associated with cannabis use. There are several potential THC pills side effects, all of which vary depending on the person. These side effects may include nausea, drowsiness, anxiety, and potentially negative effects when combined with other medications. Before using THC pills (or any other form of cannabis), we urge you to seek out the opinion of a certified medical professional, like a licensed cannabis doctor.

Synthetic vs Natural

We have discussed natural THC tablets that are filled with either concentrates or ground flower, but there are also such things as synthetic THC pills (such as nabilone and dronabinol). Marinol is a branded variation of dronabinol that's used for treating individuals suffering from certain negative side effects primarily associated with AIDS and Cancer. Even though synthetic THC pills like dronabinol have similar psychoactive effects as weed, they don't contain THC. Tetrahydrocannabinol tablets are illegal because they are derived from the marijuana plant, while synthetic drugs like Marinol are not only legal but also FDA-approved. It's easy to get them mixed up, however, because they're often both referred to as "pot pills" and "cannabis capsules." Another factor to consider is the recent rise of Delta-8, a cousin to the standard THC we know and loved. While Delta-8 THC does have a similar effect to standard THC and is technically legal everywhere in the U.S. since it's derived from hemp, research on what it is and how it works are still in its infantry when compared to standard THC. On top of that, states have been quick to restrict access to or totally ban Delta-8 products within their borders. Currently, 19 states have already banned and four more are actively reviewing its legality. 

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, THC pill are a simple, effective, easy-to-dose, and health-consious way to consume and enjoy the benefits of THC. We highly recommend getting a medical card of your own, stopping into your nearby legal dispensary, and grabbing some for yourself. Just remember the slow and low" approaching to figuring out the dose that right for you, and you'll be enjoying the many benefits in no time at all!

Have some experience with THC pills? Leave your comments below and let know how they work for you and which brands we should try!