What is THCa?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid — or, THCa — is the acidic form of THC and is also the most abundant cannabinoid within the plant. When people discuss Delta-9 THC, they are actually discussing THCa after the introduction of heat.
Forming early on in the plant, this cannabinoid is a precursor to the regular form of THC we all know and love.
So what’s the difference between the two? One is crimalized under Federal law and one isnt. Its just that simple.
Does THCa Get You High?
Yes THCA will get you high. Once heat is applied to THCA it is converted to actual Delta 9 THC. The perfect legal loophole. In simplest terms this is how it works. In rawest form our flower has .3 delta 9 THC which is the legal limit and the moment you light it on fire it transforms into up to 30% Delta 9 THC.
Is THCa Legal?
Yes! Since the 2018 Farm Bill only criminalizes Delta-9 THC — and defines marijuana as anything over .3% Delta-9 THC — THCa is a legal hemp product.
Will THCa Show up on a Drug Test?
THCa converts through heat to Delta-9 THC and would undergo the normal metabolization process for such. That means that it would pick up in the same urine tests that would be searching for the metabolites from any other source of Delta-9 THC.
If you were to use the THCa on its own — without introducing it to a decarboxylation process — it is less known whether it would show up. Since it has had so little research, it is likely best to err on the side of caution and avoid it if possible.