THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) might sound fancy, but it’s just a natural compound found in raw cannabis plants. It’s a cannabinoid, but it’s not quite the same as Delta 9 THC (the psychoactive compound that gets you high).

Think of it as the starting point for Delta 9 THC. The raw form of THCa has therapeutic benefits, but it won’t get you high unless you heat it up. When you light it, vape it, or cook it, heat causes a reaction called decarboxylation that transforms THCa into Delta 9.

That’s when the magic happens—so yes, smoking THCa flower or pre-rolls will absolutely get you high. Bonus? It’s federally legal in most states and we’ll ship it straight to your door.

In this post, we’ll break down how THCa works, explore its benefits, and give you the lowdown on legality and how it shows up on drug tests so you don’t get in trouble with the fuzz.

Does THCa Get You High?

Raw THCa doesn’t get you high — but it can turn into Delta-9 THC, and that definitely does. But how does that happen? And does THCa do anything on its own? We’ll explain everything you need to know about THCa.

Raw THCa Doesn’t Get You High

The reason Delta-9 gets you high is that it binds with CB1 receptors in your brain. These cannabinoid receptors are part of your endocannabinoid system, which regulates different bodily functions, like your mood, appetite, pain perception, even immunity.

THCa, on the other hand, only has a weak interaction with those receptors, so it doesn’t produce a high. But it does have other effects on your body, like inhibiting enzymes that cause inflammation and helping with appetite. Because of that, you can use THCa products like topicals and patches for THCa’s anti-inflammatory properties and other therapeutic effects.

THCa Converts to Psychoactive THC When Heated

The difference between THCa and THC is their molecular structure. THCa has an extra carboxyl group, which is why it doesn’t bind to CB1 receptors. When it’s heated, like by smoking or baking, this carboxyl group breaks off and converts to THC.

How quickly this happens depends on the temperature. Higher temperatures lead to faster conversion, but super-hot temps can degrade THC. At temperatures around 212°F, it takes about three hours for complete conversion. At 320°F, it takes like 10 minutes, and at 392°F or higher, it happens pretty much right away.

But fair warning. If you go higher than 392°F, THC starts to degrade in cannabinol (CBN), a compound with way less potent psychoactive effects.

Ways to Convert THCa to THC

The simplest way to convert THCa to THC is sparking it up. If you get THCa flower or THCa vapes you can initiate the decarboxylation process all by yourself. Or, we can do it in a lab and use the THC to make products like Delta 9 gummies.

Here are some of the most common decarboxylation methods that turn THCa into Delta 9:

• Baking: Heating THCa flower in an oven at around 230°F for 40 minutes should do the trick. Grind up the flower, spread it on parchment paper, and bake. You can use the decarboxylated flower to make edibles or infuse oils.
• Smoking or vaping: When you smoke or vape THCa, the heat from the flame or heating element quickly converts the cannabinoid into Delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, though a little is lost to combustion and side smoke.
• Solvents and heat: This method involves using solvents like butane or ethanol to extract THC from the cannabis flower. Basically, you soak the flower in the solvent, which dissolves the cannabinoids. Then, you evaporate the solvent, leaving behind a concentrated extract of THC.

Understanding THCa and THC Potency

When you buy THCa products, you’ll usually see a THCa percentage and a Total THC percentage on the label. Total THC is the potential THC content after decarboxylation. It’s measured with laboratory techniques like gas chromatography or calculated using this formula:

Total THC = (0.877 x THCa) + THC

For example, if a product has 25% THCa and 0.2% THC, the total THC would be calculated like this: Total THC = (0.877 x 25) + 1% = 21.93% + 0.2% = 22.13%.

So, once you light up your hemp flower, you’d get around 22.13% THC.

The higher the Total THC percentage, the more potent the product is. Cannabis strains typically have a THC concentration of around 15% to 20%, but you can find some high-potency strains that are much stronger. You’ll usually feel the intoxicating effects of THC in minutes (if not seconds), so start with a small amount and gradually increase it to see how you feel.

The Benefits of THCa

While THCa needs to be converted into THC to get you high, it isn’t always all about a buzz. THCa has its own therapeutic benefits:

• Supports physical comfort: THCa can help you chill out with its analgesic effect, reducing pain and discomfort.
• Supports sleep: It can improve sleep quality and help you fall asleep faster.
• Stimulates appetite: It can help increase appetite, especially if you’re having a hard time feeling hungry.

Research is still being done to fully understand the potential benefits of THCa. But there are lots of hopeful studies suggesting it might be really beneficial for pain, inflammation, neurodegeneration, and even cancer, which is pretty freaking awesome.

Types of THCa products

If you’re interested in experiencing the effects of THCa without the psychoactive effects, one of these products might be more your speed:

• Patches: These can be applied to your skin for localized relief, helping with recovery and pain management.
• Capsules: Taking THCa in capsule form can promote relaxation and mental clarity without any of the buzz.
• Tinctures: You can take tinctures orally or under the tongue for anti-inflammatory effects, helping you chill out and even preventing nausea.

Is THCa Legal?

Yes, THCa products are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp and hemp-derived products that contain less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. But states have different laws, so make sure to check your local regulations. Right now, we ship flower and vapes to every state except Alaska, California, Idaho, Indiana, and South Carolina (sorry, guys).

Does THCa Show Up on a Drug Test?

Remember, THCa becomes THC when you smoke or vape. So if that’s how you’re using your THC, it will show up on a drug test. Drug tests look for THC-COOH, the main metabolite of THC. If you need to pass a drug test, don’t use THCa or any other THC-containing product.

We Deliver Legal THCa Products Straight to Your Door

Whether you’re seeking relief, relaxation, or a mind-bending experience, THCa offers a range of possibilities. And who better to trust with your adventure than the legendary duo of Cheech & Chong? If there’s one thing we know, it’s cannabis products. So treat yourself to a blazer, preroll, vape, or weed pen today.