Have you been curious about THCA? It’s the latest cannabinoid to hit our store, and people are loving it. Whether you know it or not, you’ve likely consumed THCA before. That being said, are you actually familiar with this cannabinoid? Where does it come from? Is it psychoactive? What is its legal status? Keep reading to answer all of these questions and immerse yourself in the benefits of THCA.
In the meantime, if you want to experience the benefits of THCA for yourself, check out our selection! Choose from an array of blunts, or give our Tres Leches Indica THCA prerolls a try. Rest assured that our products are lab tested, so you know exactly what is (and isn’t) inside.
Naturally abundant
One of the top benefits of THCA is how easy it is to obtain. THCA is actually the acidic form of THC. Unlike other cannabinoids like delta 8, THCA is naturally found in large quantities in both cannabis and hemp. This is great news, as it means less work for everyone else. We love a naturally abundant cannabinoid! This makes THCA products easier to produce.
Make your own THC
The best thing about THCA? It becomes THC when you light it on fire! Yes, really. This is why I suggested that you’ve probably consumed THCA before. THCA is not psychoactive in its original form. This changes when you add heat from a lighter, a vaporizer, or even the oven. So, if you’ve ever smoked weed, you have done this little science trick yourself. Making your own THC from THCA is as simple as smoking one of our THCA blunts or prerolls.
Ever wondered why you decarb weed in the oven before making edibles? The answer is THCA. By decarbing, you’re transforming the non-psychoactive THCA present in the bud into the famously psychoactive THC.
Reap the benefits of THC
That being said, when you conduct your little science project and convert THCA into THC, you are all set to experience the benefits of THC. You’re likely pretty familiar with these already. A well-known benefit of THC consumption is the dopamine release, which can result in feelings of euphoria. A THC high also includes heightened sensory perception. As we know, THC is also used medically by patients who live in medical marijuana states. Of course, results vary from person to person, and the only way to know how THC affects you personally is to try it yourself and observe the results.
Federally legal
THCA is federally legal as long as it is derived from hemp. Legally, hemp is defined as cannabis that contains .3% or less delta 9 THC. Since THCA doesn’t actually become THC until that heating element is added, it’s technically legal when found in hemp. How’s that for a loophole? While this is true federally, individual states have implemented their own rules when it comes to regulating (or in some instances prohibiting) hemp-derived cannabinoids.
Certain states take into account something called total THC. This means that THCA content is considered when determining if a plant is considered hemp or cannabis. These laws change constantly, so do yourself a favor and stay aware of what’s going on in your state before diving in.
New potential
Something that’s exciting about THCA? When consumed in its raw, non-psychoactive form, it may offer the same benefits of THC, without the high. While this might not be of use to you, it does open the door for further research for medical patients. More info is definitely needed, but for patients looking for relief, sans the high, THCA might be the answer. Anyone looking to consume THCA in its raw, non-high-giving form would need to ingest raw cannabis (hopefully by grinding it into a smoothie, but if you want to take a bite out of a nug, have at it), or enjoy a specially made tincture.
The bottom line
THCA is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in both hemp and cannabis. In its original form, THCA is not psychoactive. Once you add heat, THCA completely transforms to THC. THCA is also federally legal, provided it comes from hemp. Benefits of THCA include how easy it is to obtain and the fact that you can easily convert it to THC. Additionally, people looking to reap the benefits of THC without the high may find what they’re looking for with raw THCA. More research is needed to fully understand this cannabinoid, but what we know so far is promising, and it will be exciting to see what the future holds for THCA.