Which drug is known for having metabolites that are nearly as active as the parent drug?

Marijuana, particularly its primary psychoactive component, THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), is known for having metabolites that are nearly as active as the parent drug. When THC is metabolized in the body, it generates several metabolites, of which 11-OH-THC (11-hydroxy-THC) is particularly significant. This metabolite retains psychoactive properties and contributes to the overall effects felt by the user. As a result, the presence of these metabolites can prolong and enhance the psychoactive experience associated with marijuana use, making them functionally relevant in understanding both the pharmacology of the drug and the duration of its effects.

In contrast, while other options do result in metabolites, their activity levels differ. Cocaine is metabolized into benzoylecgonine, which is primarily inactive in terms of cocaine's stimulating effects. Heroin is converted into morphine upon metabolism, but morphine's activity is not as closely related to the effects of heroin itself, which is considered a more potent opioid. LSD is also metabolized, but its metabolites do not carry significant active properties, making them much less relevant in the context of the drug's psychoactive effects. This distinction highlights why marijuana stands out for having metabolites that