Question

2. The psychoactive component of marijuana is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), but most of the THC in the plant is found as THC-A, tetrahydrocannabinol acid, a carboxylic acid derivative of THC. THC-A can be converted to THC by decarboxylation at high temperature (i. e. smoking or vaping). Show a plausible mechanism for this decarboxylation and explain why THC decarboxylates so easily, despite not formally possessing a ß-carbonyl.(3 marks)

Question image 1Question image 2