THC oil is a concentrated cannabis extract whose main active compound is THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the cannabinoid that causes a high. Cannabis extracts are controlled drugs under the UN drug conventions, and whether THC oil can be obtained legally at all depends on the country. It is not the same as CBD oil or hemp seed oil. Formula Swiss does not make or sell THC oil.
Key facts
- Full name
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) oil, also called cannabis oil or hash oil
- What it is
- An extract of THC-rich cannabis flowers or resin, concentrated by removing the extraction solvent
- Strength
- Illicit cannabis oil with 60% THC was "not unusual" according to the UN's 2009 laboratory manual
- Appearance
- Usually dark brown or dark green, with the consistency of a thick oil or paste
- International law (as of October 2026)
- "Extracts and tinctures of cannabis" are listed in Schedule I of the 1961 UN Single Convention
- Switzerland (as of October 2026)
- Cannabis with 1% THC or more is a narcotic; doctors may prescribe cannabis medicines since August 2022
What is THC oil made of?
THC oil is made by dissolving the resin of drug-type cannabis in a solvent and then evaporating the solvent until a thick oil remains. The UN's manual for drug-testing laboratories calls it "liquid cannabis" (hashish oil). It explains that the aim is to concentrate THC, and that the result is generally dark brown or dark green, with the consistency of thick oil or paste (UNODC). Products may also be diluted in a carrier oil, so THC content varies widely.
The plant itself mostly contains THCA, which turns into THC when heated, at about 125–150 °C. CBD oils are made in a similar way, but from hemp, which contains little THC. See how CBD is extracted from hemp.
THC oil vs CBD oil vs hemp seed oil: what's the difference?
| THC oil | CBD oil | Hemp seed oil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made from | Flowers or resin of THC-rich cannabis | Flowers and leaves of low-THC hemp | Pressed hemp seeds |
| Main cannabinoid | THC | CBD | Very little of any cannabinoid |
| Causes a high? | Yes | No | No |
| Legal status | Controlled drug; legal access, if any, depends on the country | Depends on country and product type; in Switzerland, hemp products must stay below 1% THC | Widely sold as a cooking or cosmetic oil |
| Appearance | Dark brown or green, thick | Varies with the extract and carrier oil | Clear yellow when fresh |
For a closer look at the two cannabinoids, read CBD vs THC. For the difference between the two hemp oils, see hemp oil vs CBD oil.
What does THC oil do?
THC binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, which is what produces the high (see what is THC? and the endocannabinoid system). Because an extract concentrates THC, a small amount can contain a lot of it. The risks are real:
- Dependence: the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 3 in 10 people who use cannabis have cannabis use disorder. The risk is greater for people who start young and use more often (CDC).
- High-THC products: the CDC also notes moderate evidence that high-THC cannabis use by adolescents and young adults is associated with continued use and later mental health symptoms and disorders.
- Drug tests and driving: THC breakdown products are what urine drug tests look for (HHS 2025). Read CBD, drug tests and driving.
Some THC-containing medicines are prescribed for specific conditions. That is a decision for a doctor, under the rules of each country.
What is THCA oil?
THCA is the acid form of THC that the living plant produces. It doesn't cause a high by itself, but it turns into THC when heated (UNODC). For this reason, many laws count total THC, which includes THCA. In the US, for example, the federal definition of hemp counts THCA from 12 November 2026 (7 U.S.C. 1639o). Read more in what is THCA? and what is HHC?
Is THC oil legal?
That depends on the country, and on whether it is a prescribed medicine. Some reference points, as of October 2026:
- International: the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs lists "cannabis and cannabis resin and extracts and tinctures of cannabis" in Schedule I (UN).
- Switzerland: cannabis with 1% THC or more is a narcotic. Since August 2022, doctors can prescribe cannabis medicines without approval from the Federal Office of Public Health. Since 15 May 2021, the law has also allowed pilot trials with controlled sale of cannabis for non-medical use (FOPH).
- Germany: cannabis clubs may pass on cannabis only as marijuana (dried flowers) or hashish, and THC edibles such as gummies remain prohibited (Federal Ministry of Health).
- United States: under federal law, cannabis products above the 0.3% THC limit don't count as hemp (7 U.S.C. 1639o). State laws differ.
Check the law where you live before buying, carrying or travelling with any cannabis product.
How do I know a CBD oil isn't a THC oil?
Look at the certificate of analysis for the batch. It should show the Δ9-THC content (and ideally THCA or total THC) as a percentage, measured by a laboratory. Our guide to reading a certificate of analysis explains what to look for, and our THC testing guide explains how labs measure it.
From our production
We don't make or sell THC oil, or any product meant to intoxicate. That includes HHC and THCA products that turn into THC when heated. Our oils are CBD oils, and we print the THC content of every one to two decimal places.
— Robin Roy Krigslund-Hansen, co-founder and CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is THC oil?
THC oil is a concentrated extract of THC-rich cannabis whose main active compound is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the cannabinoid that causes a high. It is controlled under the UN drug conventions and is not the same as CBD oil.
What colour is THC oil?
According to the UN's laboratory manual, illicit cannabis oil is generally dark brown or dark green, with the consistency of a thick oil or paste. Diluted products can look lighter.
Is THC oil the same as CBD oil?
No. THC oil is made from THC-rich cannabis and causes a high. CBD oil is made from low-THC hemp and does not. Their legal status is also different.
Is THC oil legal?
Cannabis extracts are controlled under the 1961 UN Single Convention, and national laws decide whether, and how, THC oil can be obtained, for example as a prescribed medicine. In Switzerland, cannabis with 1% THC or more is a narcotic, and doctors may prescribe cannabis medicines.
What is THCA oil?
THCA oil contains THCA, the acid form of THC. It doesn't cause a high by itself, but it turns into THC when heated, so many laws count it as part of total THC.
Does Formula Swiss sell THC oil?
No. We don't make or sell THC oil, HHC or THCA products. Our oils are CBD oils, and the THC content of every one is printed on the label to two decimal places.
Related guides
This article is general information about THC oil and the law. It is not medical or legal advice and does not encourage the use of THC products. Formula Swiss does not sell THC oil; our CBD oils are cosmetics for use on the skin. Read our full disclaimer.
Last reviewed:
Sources
- United Nations. Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol, Article 1 and Schedule I.
- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Recommended methods for the identification and analysis of cannabis and cannabis products (ST/NAR/40). New York: United Nations, 2009. Sections 3.11–3.13 and chapter 4.
- Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH/BAG). Geltende Rechtslage von Hanf- und Cannabisprodukten (current legal situation of hemp and cannabis products). bag.admin.ch
- German Federal Ministry of Health. FAQ zum Cannabisgesetz (FAQ on the Cannabis Act). bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
- 7 U.S. Code § 1639o, Definitions (hemp), as amended by Public Law 119-37 of 12 November 2025.
- US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cannabis use disorder. cdc.gov
- US Department of Health and Human Services. Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs: authorized testing panels. Federal Register 2025;90(10):4662–4668.
