Not too long ago, whenever cannabis was mentioned, most people only thought of THC and its famous buzz. But times have changed! Especially after hemp became legal under the Farm Bill in 2018. Now, there’s a whole bunch of cannabinoid options out there, and one of the rising stars is THCA.
At first, it sounds suspiciously similar to THC, right? But if you’ve bought cannabis flower at a dispensary lately, you might have seen both THCA and THC percentages on the product label. That’s enough to make anyone do a double-take!
So, what’s going on here? How do THCA and THC differ, and which one should you choose? Relax. You’re in the right place. Today, we’ll discuss the difference between THCA and THC, clear up the confusion, and help you decide which one is better for you. Let’s get started.
What is THCA?
Let’s start with THCA, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. THCA is a nonpsychoactive compound found in fresh or unheated cannabis plants. Think of it as the “raw acid form” of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Without THCA, there would be no THC at all!
So, what do we mean when we say a nonpsychoactive compound? Ingesting raw cannabis will not get you stoned. This is because, unlike THC, THCA has an extra carboxylic acid (or carboxyl group) that keeps it from binding well to our cannabinoid receptors.
But the story does not end there! Once THCA is heated—say, by vaporizing or smoking—it transforms into THC, which is where the psychoactive effects come from.
What is THC?
THC, short for tetrahydrocannabinol, is the psychoactive compound that’s most famous for giving marijuana use its signature euphoric high. Formally known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, it’s what happens when THCA sheds its extra COOH group through a process known as decarboxylation(more on that shortly!).
Once that process occurs, THC can easily attach to CB1 receptors in your brain, leading to psychoactive properties like mood elevation, altered sensory perception, and relaxation.
This is why the THC levels in a strain or a cannabis product are used as an indicator of how strong its effects will be.
Decarboxylation Explained: How THCA becomes THC
THCA and THC are close cousins, linked by a key process known as decarboxylation. Don’t let the big word scare you! It just means removing a carboxyl group from THCA, which converts it into THC when exposed to heat.
And if you have baked edibles before, you can relate that we always decarb weed before adding it to butter. The reason for this is to activate the psychoactive effects of THC (now you know!)
Decarboxylation of THCA can be triggered by several situations, including:
- Heat: The most common way to activate THC is to heat up THCA. Whether you’re smoking thca flower, using a dab banger, or baking edibles, heat converts THCA to THC instantly.
- Light: Prolonged UV light exposure can slowly convert THCA to THC over time.
- Drying & Curing: When cannabis flower is harvested, it goes through a curing process. During this phase, a small amount of THCA will convert to THC but not as efficiently as direct heat.
- Aging: Over time, cannabis will inevitably break down THCA to THC, especially if stored in warm conditions.
THCA vs THC: A Detailed Comparison
Now that we have a basic understanding of THCA and THC, let’s compare them side by side in detail.
Chemical Structures
- THCA: It has an extra carboxyl group (COOH) attached. This group keeps THCA from fitting snugly into CB1 receptors, so it’s considered non-intoxicating.
- THC: Once THCA loses that acid group, it transforms into THC. This smaller structure fits more easily into your brain’s receptors, causing those classic mind-bending effects.
Psychoactive Effects
- THCA: Because of its larger shape, THCA does not create any psychoactive effects when ingested raw, as it can’t attach to your body’s endocannabinoid system. You must decarb it first through heating if you want to experience any high. And this is why eating raw cannabis won’t cause any high, but smoking it, on the other hand, will.
- THC: Known for its psychoactive properties, THC can alter your mood, senses, and even how you perceive time. It’s the main reason many people seek out cannabis use for recreational relaxation or a good old-fashioned uplift.
Legality
- THCA: As long as any hemp-derived THCA product carries less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, as detailed by the 2018 Farm Bill, it remains federally permissible to be sold in dispensaries. This legal loophole has fueled a thriving market in areas where standard cannabis is still off-limits.
- THC: Delta-9 THC continues to be labeled a controlled substance at the federal level. You might wonder how flower high in THCA can be legal under the 0.3% rule, and THC is not, but remember: THCA isn’t delta-9 THC. The official measurement hinges on the delta-9 content, not the THCA content.
Side Effects
- THCA: If consumed raw, THCA has no notable side effects. Once decarbed into THC, it can cause dry mouth, red eyes, and, in some cases, mild anxiety if taken in high doses.
- THC: Overconsumption of THC can lead to unpleasant experiences like paranoia, rapid heart rate, or dizziness. Moderation is key to avoiding these side effects.
Consumption Methods
There are many ways to consume cannabis regardless of whether its THC or THCA:
- Smoking and vaping: Many people prefer smoking or vaping because it decarboxylates THCA into THC quickly, and you get immediate psychoactive effects. This can be in the form of prerolls or disposables. And if the high is too strong, you can slow down or stop altogether, so it’s somewhat easier to self-regulate.
- Dabbing: Dabbing uses concentrated cannabis, like THCA crystals or waxes high in THC. The product is heated quickly on a hot surface (a dab nail or banger), and you get fast, potent effects. Beginners, be warned...dabs can be very potent.
- Edibles: From brownies to gummies, edibles often use pre-decarbed cannabis, so you’re consuming THC straight up. Edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to hit, and the high can last longer than smoking or vaping. Keep an eye on dosage to avoid overdoing it.
Drug Testing
Both THCA and THC can cause a failed drug test since most standard tests look for THC metabolites in the body. Even if you start with purely raw THCA, any portion that converts into THC can trigger a positive result. We recommend you avoid any THC or THCA product of you have an upcoming drug test.
Benefits of THCA vs THC
We have learned a lot about THCA vs. THC. Let’s end by comparing their therapeutic benefits. Remember we mentioned that THCA converts to THC if heated.
So, if you are a recreational cannabis user, which means your intention is to smoke or ingest decarbed edibles, the therapeutic effects and benefits between these two compounds will be identical. Depending on the strain, you can expect:
- Relaxation: Best with Indica strains, which have deep-body relaxing effects.
- Happy Euphoria: Some THC strains will lift your mood and energize you.
- Sleep Aid: Indica leaning strains are popular for improving sleep.
- Appetite (Munchies): A well-known side effect of THC, great for those who need appetite stimulation.
- Creativity: Many users report increased creativity, especially with balanced or Sativa-dominant strains.
- Energized: Sativa strains will give you energy, which is excellent for daytime use.
Where to Buy THCA Products Online
Now that you are well-educated on the differences between THCA and THC, you might be asking yourself where to find the best THCA products. Look no further than Baysmokes! We’re a trusted brand offering a variety of THCA products, including:
- THCA Flower
- THCA Vapes
- THCA Gummies
- THCA Concentrates
We pride ourselves on delivering lab-tested, federally legal products. Shop with us today and enjoy free shipping on all orders over $77!
FAQs
Is THCA the same high as THC?
Yes. When you ingest THCA, either by smoking, vaping, or cooking edibles, the heat converts it to THC. So, in other words, you will be ingesting THC in either case and hence experience the same kind of high.
Will I fail a drug test for THCA?
Yes, THCA will cause a failed drug test as it converts to THC metabolites in your body, which are detectable by standard drug tests.
Thca vs thc, which is stronger?
Decarbed (heated) THCA is basically the same thing as THC, so they are equal in strength.
How long does THCA stay in your system compared to THC?
THCA is THC’s precursor, but they’re closely linked. When THCA converts to THC and enters your body, it follows a similar metabolic path. Expect it to stay in your system roughly the same time as traditional THC, though factors like body type, frequency of use, and metabolism can affect the exact duration of each.
Dive into our detailed guide to how long THCA stays in your system here!
Can You Overdose on THCA or THC?
It’s unheard of to have a fatal overdose of THCA or THC. But overconsumption of either can lead to unpleasant greening out side effects like paranoia, dizziness, anxiety, and increased heart rate. So we recommend you go slow with your consumption and gauge your body to see what it can tolerate.
Is THCA legal?
Yes, THCA is legal federally in the USA, thanks to the farm bill, if it is derived from hemp that contains less than 0.3% delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis. Always check your local laws, as they can vary from one state to another.
Summary: What’s the Difference Between THCA and THC?
We were able to compare THCA vs THC in our guide, and now you should have a good understanding of these two compounds. The main difference between THCA and THC is that THCA has an extra acid group that makes it non-intoxicating in its raw form.
Once it undergoes decarboxylation (through heat or time), THCA becomes THC, which has psychoactive properties.
Now, when it comes to choosing between the two, THCA is the obvious choice. Why? Their legal status. THCA is legal federally, while THC is still considered marijuana and a controlled substance in many states.
It would, therefore, be easier to purchase THCA legally from online dispensaries like Baysmokes than it would be THC. In any case, THCA will still convert to THC and get you high when you smoke it.