What is THCa? The Basics, Benefits, and How it’s Different from THC

If you’ve been diving into the world of cannabis, you’ve likely come across the term THCa.

Maybe you’ve even seen THCa flower being sold online or other non-dispensary stores and thought to yourself, “this looks exactly like weed! How is this legal?”

Well, you’re right, it is weed. In this article, we’ll explore what THCa is, how it differs from THC, how to use THCa flower, and even touch on how long THCa stays in your system.

What is THCa?

THCa (which stands for “tetrahydrocannabinolic acid”) is the acidic precursor to THC, the well-known psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

When you heat up THCa it turns into THC.

While THC is famous for its mind-altering effects, THCa doesn’t have the same psychoactive properties in its raw form.

THCa will not get you high like THC.

Essentially, THCa is the non-psychoactive version of THC, but it has its own set of benefits and uses.

THCa vs THC: Key Differences

Chemical Differences

The main difference between THCa and THC is that THCa alone will not get you high.

Legal Differences

Wondering why THCa seems to be everywhere? Much of the reason we’ve seen such a surge of THCa products has to do with the legal status of THC:

THC is illegal federally, but is legal at the state level in an increasing number of states (here’s a cool up-to-date map).

Hemp is legal federally. That means it is legal in every state, and can cross state lines, which means hemp products can be sold online.

Remember, hemp and cannabis are the same plant! Hemp is just low-THC cannabis. The legal definition of hemp is a cannabis plant with <0.3% THC by weight at time of harvest.

So here is the loophole: No cannabis plant at time of harvest has much THC, because the THC is still in its raw form, THCa. That means that even your dankest cannabis plant that are marketed as 25% THC actually have 25% THCa and almost no THC.

Some very enterprising industry folks figured out you can just label THC flower as “THCa flower,” and it’s still compliant with the letter of the law, because the law doesn’t mention THCa.

THCa flower operates in a “gray area” of the law, and some states are getting wise to the loophole and trying to close it, but for now, THCa is extremely easy to purchase.

If you’re a legal nerd like me and want to dive deeper on this topic, this law firm article has a decent summary.

Benefits of THCa: What Can It Do for You?

Though THCa itself is non-psychoactive, early research suggests that it may have a number of health benefits.

Many people are turning to THCa flower for its potential therapeutic properties, as it may offer relief without causing the intoxicating effects of THC.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

One of the most promising potential benefits of THCa is its anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that THCa can interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS), which helps regulate processes like inflammation, pain, and immune response.

By binding to receptors in the ECS, THCa may help reduce inflammation in the body, making it a potential candidate for managing conditions like arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.

Neuroprotective Effects

Some studies have indicated that THCa may have neuroprotective effects, meaning it could help protect brain cells from damage.

This property has sparked interest in its potential use for conditions like Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While more research is needed, these findings are promising and suggest that THCa may play a role in supporting brain health.

Antioxidant Benefits

THCa is also being researched for its antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants are substances that help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body, which can contribute to aging and disease. This is one of the reasons why some people are incorporating THCa into their wellness routines, as it may help protect the body from oxidative stress.

Appetite Regulation and Nausea Relief

THCa is believed to have anti-emetic properties, meaning it may help reduce nausea. This could be especially beneficial for people undergoing chemotherapy or those struggling with other conditions that lead to nausea and loss of appetite.

While research is still in the early stages, the emerging benefits of THCa flower suggest it could be a helpful tool for managing inflammation, neurodegenerative conditions, and nausea, among other health concerns.

THCa Flower: How to Use It

So how do you use THCa flower?

While THCa in its raw form is not psychoactive (remember, when you heat it up it converts to THC), it can still be useful in various ways. Here’s how you can use THCa flower:

Raw Cannabis or THCa Flower

THCa is most commonly found in raw cannabis flowers, which have not been heated or decarboxylated.

This means you won’t get the typical “high” from smoking or consuming THCa flower unless it undergoes the decarboxylation process.

Juicing or Smoothies

Many people add raw cannabis leaves or flowers to smoothies or juices. This method preserves the THCa content and allows you to enjoy the potential benefits without any psychoactive effects.

THCa Tinctures

Some manufacturers produce THCa tinctures made from raw cannabis. These tinctures can be taken sublingually (under the tongue) and are typically non-psychoactive, allowing you to experience the potential therapeutic effects of THCa without feeling “high.”

THCa Capsules and THCa Edibles

THCa can also be found in capsules or edibles. When using THCa in this form, make sure you’re consuming it in its raw, unheated state if you want to avoid THC’s psychoactive effects.

Vaping Raw THCa

While most people associate vaping with THC, you can use a dry herb vaporizer to vaporize raw cannabis flower or concentrate to preserve the THCa. Vaping at lower temperatures (around 220°F to 250°F) helps to maintain the integrity of THCa, avoiding decarboxylation and keeping the compound non-psychoactive.

My favorite dry herb vaporizer for beginners is here.

Turn it into THC Flower

This may seem obvious, but if you live in a prohibition state where you can’t buy legal weed, you can just buy THCa flower and smoke or vape it so that it becomes THC flower. Enjoy the loophole while you still can.

THCa vs THC: What’s Better for You?

If you’re new to cannabis or considering switching from THC to THCa, it’s natural to wonder which is better for you. Both compounds have their own unique benefits, and your choice depends on what you’re looking to achieve.

When to Choose THCa

When to Choose THC

How Long Does THCa Stay in Your System?

A common question people have when consuming any cannabis product is how long it stays in the system, especially if you’re considering the use of THCa for its medicinal properties.

The answer can vary based on several factors, including:

There’s frankly not great data on this. Most standard drug tests are designed to detect THC metabolites, not THCa. Therefore, THCa may not be as likely to show up on a test as THC would.

However, if you have to regularly take drug tests for your job or other reasons, it’s probably best to treat THCa as you would THC, which can be detected on a drug test for up to 30 days.

Is THCa Safe?

THCa flower grown under safe, quality conditions should be safe. However, because THCa is operating in a legal gray area, the companies selling it don’t have any rules or regulations to follow.

That doesn’t mean they’re all bad, there are plenty of companies trying to sell high-qaulity THCa, So finding a source you trust is crucial.

Final Thoughts on THCa

THCa is an exciting and increasingly popular compound that offers a non-psychoactive alternative to THC.

Whether you’re using THCa flower for its potential anti-inflammatory benefits, its neuroprotective properties, or simply because you prefer a cannabis experience without the high, this cannabinoid has a lot to offer.

While research on THCa is still ongoing, its potential in wellness and medicinal applications is promising. If you’re looking to explore a different side of cannabis, THCa may be worth considering.