What is THCA?

Let’s be honest: keeping up with cannabinoids is tough. Especially when they have names like THCA. However, each cannabinoid is different, and when it comes to THCA compounds like this one, they are much more unique than their names might imply.

We’re still learning more about what THCA has to offer in terms of benefits and effects, but it does seem to show some therapeutic value. So, what is THCA? When it comes to THCA vs. other cannabinoids, they differ largely in terms of psychoactivity and how they work in the body. From legality to effects and even the individual benefits this cannabinoid brings, we’re talking specifically about THCA. 

Table of Contents:

• So, What Exactly Is It?
• How Does THCA Work?
• How Do You Use THCA?
• What Are the Different THCA Products?
• Where Can I Buy THCA Online?
• Does THCA Get You “High”?
• Is Delta 8 the Same as THCA?
• Is THCA the Same as CBD?
• Is THCA Legal?
• Should You Smoke or Dab THCA?
• Does THCA Show up on a Drug Test?
• Final Take

So, What Exactly Is It?

If you aren’t familiar with THCA, the compound is short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, and it’s one of the many cannabinoids found within the cannabis plant. In fact, it’s the precursor cannabinoid to THC. THC is formed when THCA breaks down. THCA breaks down into THC naturally, but it also happens when exposed to heat. This means that when you light your flower to take a hit, you’re activating the cannabinoids, turning the THCA into the intoxicating THC cannabinoid we know and love. This is often why you’ll notice THCA percentages on your cannabis flower labels: they directly affect how potent your cannabis is going to be. 

As a result, delta-9 THC is produced when THCA breaks down after getting heated. If you’re looking for potent strains with high THC percentages, then you’re going to want to find options with high THCA percentages. The higher the THCA, the stronger the THC.

How Does THCA Work?

There is an endocannabinoid system in everyone (ECS). This ECS is filled with cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors), and when THCA is consumed, it doesn’t directly bind to CB receptors like other cannabinoids such as THC. Instead, THCA will enter the bloodstream and cause a whole host of effects in the body. 

It is clear that THCA differs from other cannabinoids when it comes to its effects. While most psychoactive cannabinoids show some overlap in terms of effects, each cannabinoid has its own strengths and benefits. One of the most interesting differences in benefits has to do with the way that THCA interacts with seizures and epileptic disorders. Other cannabinoids have some potential benefit here, but not as much as others like CBD or, apparently, THCA.

Since THCA doesn’t interact with the brain in that way, it won’t have an influence there, yet many still seek it out for all that it has been touted to do. We’re still learning more about this cannabinoid and how it works within the body, especially compared to psychoactive cannabinoids. Certainly, more studies are necessary to draw concrete conclusions, but the results are looking promising for THCA.   

How Do You Use THCA?

Now that we’ve discussed what THCA is and how it works, let’s address the most pressing question: how do you use THCA? THCA may be used in a number of ways, including inhalation, ingestion, topical application, and many others. This can be done via prerolls, vape pens, loose flowers, lotions, balms, salves, edibles, or diamonds; the possibilities are truly endless.

What Are the Different THCA Products? 

These days, you can find nearly anything on the market infused with THCA. This includes THCA prerolls, THCA diamonds, THCA disposable vape pens, THCA flower, THCA edibles, THCA topicals. As to which product is better, well, there’s no answer. That choice is all left up to you and depends on the desired effects you’re looking for.

Where Can I Buy THCA Online?

THCA can be bought in nearby shops or, better yet, online. This includes products such as THCA flower, THCA diamonds, and THCA disposable vape pens. At CannaAid, we offer everything you’re looking for when it comes to THCA-infused products. 

Our website is extremely product-detailed to help our customers not only make an informed decision but also make one of the best purchases money can buy. On the market, there are many THCA products, but they’re not all the same. This is why we believe that regardless of whether you’re buying THCA, it’s important to keep an eye out for a few factors before making a purchase. Buying these products online comes with a bit of risk since you don’t see how the product was made or even how it looks in person.  Of course, always take the time to read about the product’s potency, as well as how it was made and what kind of extract is used. 

We believe that taking these extra steps is key to ensuring you’re buying the best products possible; that’s our guarantee.

Final Take

Although THCA is a precursor to THC, from what we’ve learned today, it seems to be a unique cannabinoid in its own right. From it’s properties to its consumption methods, if you’re looking to try THCA, check out our online menu on CannaAid’s website and see what peaks your interest.

FAQs: About THCA

Does THCA Get You “High”?

Since THCA doesn’t get you high, the cannabinoid is likely to be better at promoting non-psychoactive benefits compared to other cannabinoids like, for example, THC.

THCA is a completely non-psychoactive cannabinoid. The chemical structure of THCA does not allow the cannabinoid to bind to the receptors in the brain; thus, it chemically cannot work to get you high. So, if you have a THCA gummy, for example, you can consume the cannabinoid and purely receive therapeutic benefits without psychoactivity.

But if you light up a joint with THCA flower, the heat will activate the cannabinoid, turning it into THC and causing you to get high. So, it’s important to keep in mind the consumption method you’re enjoying for your THCA to see how it will affect your experience. If you’re heating the cannabinoid in any way—whether it’s from vaping, smoking, or baking an edible—it’s going to transform and turn psychoactive.

THC, however, is psychoactive, while THCA is not. This is crucial to keep in mind when picking your ideal product.   

Is Delta 8 the Same as THCA?

Most seasoned consumers know that there are other psychoactive variants out there, such as delta-8. This is the cannabinoid responsible for producing the psychoactive effects that are most commonly associated with THC; however, they’re more subtle. But, while Delta 8 will make you feel “high”, THCA will not, as it’s considered non-psychoactive. 

Is THCA the Same as CBD?

No. Though they do share some similarities overall, CBD and THCA are two very different cannabinoids. While one cannabinoid is great for one experience and effect, the other may be ideal for providing a different kind of pleasant experience. At the end of the day, with experience, it’s your decision to choose one cannabinoid over the other!

Is THCA Legal?

One of the last major differences between THCA and other cannabinoids is legality. Delta-9 THC is illegal at the federal level. Products are not allowed to contain any more than 0.3% THC in them; if they do, they are federally illegal in the United States.

The only way you can purchase THC products is if you live in a state that has legalized cannabis medically or recreationally. Then, you can either get a medical card and buy THC, or you can buy THC from a dispensary as long as you’re 21 or older.

THCA is legal under federal law under the 2018 Farm Bill. THCA products that come from hemp and don’t contain more than 0.3% THC are legal across the United States, so they make a great option for those seeking natural support but who cannot access THC products. However, keep in mind that THCA won’t get you high in the same way (unless you’re heating the compound). 

Should You Smoke or Dab THCA?

This choice is all up to you; the key similarity is that both of these consumption methods involve smoking, so if you’re up for it, you can choose to either smoke or dab and still have a similar THCA experience. Certainly, no matter which consumption method you’re interested in, the market has various recommendations for high-quality options. There are dozens of products, and we know exactly which ones are worth your time and money and which ones aren’t. 

Does THCA Show up on a Drug Test?

As amazing as THCA is, there could be some potential for failing a drug test.

Although psychoactive, the body processes this cannabinoid in the liver. Both cannabinoids produce the same metabolite after they are processed: THC-COOH. This metabolite is the same one that drug tests are looking for. So, if they pick this up in the body, the test will show that you’re positive for marijuana—even if you’re just having THCA. Therefore, THCA might be best avoided before a drug test.