Comparison of pharmacological effects of tetrahydrocannabinols and their 11-hydroxy-metabolites in mice.

Pharmacological effects (catalepsy, hypothermia, pentobarbital-induced sleep prolongation, anticonvulsant and analgesic effects) of delta 8- and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinols, and their 11-hydroxy-metabolites were evaluated and compared in mice. delta 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-hydroxy-delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol exhibited somewhat greater effects than did delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol and 11-hydroxy-delta 8-tetrahydrocannabinol, respectively, in all pharmacological indices tested. Greater effects of 11-hydroxy-metabolites than those of tetrahydrocannabinols were also demonstrated.