MOLECULE

Tetrahydrocannabivarin

Tetrahydrocannabivarin belongs to the class of organic compounds known as 2,2-dimethyl-1-benzopyrans. These are organic compounds containing a 1-benzopyran moiety that carries two methyl groups at the 2-position. Tetrahydrocannabivarin is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Plants with elevated levels of propyl cannabinoids (including THCV) have been found in populations of Cannabis sativa L. ssp. indica ( Cannabis indica Lam.) from China, India, Nepal, Thailand, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, as well as southern and western Africa. THCV levels up to 53.7% of total cannabinoids have been reported (PMID: 4752132). THCV is a cannabinoid receptor type 1 antagonist and cannabinoid receptor type 2 partial agonist. Delta8-THCV has also been shown to be a CB1 antagonist. THCV is a new potential treatment against obesity-associated glucose intolerance with pharmacology different from that of CB1 inverse agonists/antagonists. GW Pharmaceuticals is studying plant-derived tetrahydrocannabivarin (as GWP42004) for type 2 diabetes in addition to metformin. Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV, THV) is a homologue of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) having a propyl (3-carbon) side chain instead of a pentyl (5-carbon) group on the molecule, which makes it produce very different effects from THC. Similar to THC, THCV has 7 double bond isomers and 30 stereoisomers (see: Tetrahydrocannabinol#Isomerism). THCV could be considered an analog of THC, in which case, sales or possession intended for human consumption could be prosecuted under the Federal Analog Act. Tetrahydrocannabivarin is also a constituent of cannabis smoke. Tetrahydrocannabivarin is volatilized during the combustion of cannabis.