What is THCA Flower? THCA flower is cannabis that is grown specifically to meet the guidlines for hemp flower, making it federally legal for sale and consumption despite it being almost identical to the marijuana plant.
In 2018 the Federal Government made hemp legal by passing the US Farm Bill, creating the CBD market. This legislative document set the laws that determine how marijuana and hemp are distinguished from each other, essentially creating a loophole for THCA. Until the government votes on a new Farm Bill, THCA flower is legal on a federal level.
THCA vs. THC
What is the difference between THCA and THC? THCA is the acidic precursor to THC. If you aren’t a scientist, that simply means that THCA is THC, plus an acidic component. Think of it as THC + Acid. No, not that kind of acid.
This additional acidic carboxyl group prevents THC from binding to brain receptors, making THCA non psycho-active. But, when heated, or “decarboxylated”, THCA converts to THC by burning off that acidic component, making THC available to receptors.
Is THCA Flower the Same as Weed?
Yes, THCA flower is the same as the weed you have been smoking. It’s not a synthetic, it’s not typically altered in any way. The effects of THCA and the effects of THC are the same, BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME THING, if you consume THCA flower properly.
THCa Flower vs. THC Flower
So what is the difference between the THCa flower and THC flower? The primary difference lies with the licensing of the grower, and the lab testing. Growers must have the proper license for producing hemp and their flower must meet specific testing standards.
Why is THCA Flower Considered Hemp?
The legal status of THCA products is determined by how much THC exists in the plant on a dry weight basis. If the plant does not exceed a Delta 9 THC content of .3%, it’s legally considered to be hemp flower. Several states do not adhere to this standard and their local laws conflict with federal laws because they use total THC levels to calculate THC content in a plant. This is the total amount of THC once THCV and THCA is converted into THC.
How Is THCA Flower Made?
The process of growing THCA hemp flower is slightly different than that of marijuana. Cannabis growers growing marijuana for a dispensary try to increase THC levels during the budding phase of plant growth. THCA Hemp growers maintain different growing conditions to stunt THC levels, while promoting high amounts of THCA. You can read more about how to grow THCA flower with high levels of THCA here.
Does THCA Flower Get You High?
Yes, THCA flower will get you high. Just like marijuana won’t get you high from eating flower in its raw form, THCA needs to be activated to work properly. Even the most potent marijuana can’t get someone stoned without being heated. You have to decarb THCA flower in order for it’s psycho-active properties to take effect.
What Happens When You Smoke THCA Flower?
When you consume high THCA hemp flower by smoking it, THCA is heated by your flame. You’re applying enough heat to activate your buds whether you’re smoking a joint or a bowl.
The smoke produced by burning raw flower contains THC, which is now readily available to the cannabinoid receptors in your body. The smoke enters the lungs and travels to the blood stream making this one of the fastest ways to experience the effects of THCA.
How Do You Use THCA Flower?
Other than smoking, THCA flower can be vaped or used to make concentrate and edibles. Before making edibles, THCA must be decarbed to ensure that your flower reaches maximum potency. While cooking with THCA flower can very well convert it to THC under the right conditions, we recommend you decarb your THCA flower in an oven first. This way you have total control over time and temperature.
Is THCA Flower Safe?
THCA flower comes with the same risks of smoking THC flower. Smoking anything is never good for your lungs. Consuming THCA edibles comes with it’s own set of risks to your liver as well. Before taking any THCA or THC products you should always consult with your physician for advice.
There are studies being conducted on THCA flower without psychoactive THC being used to treat inflammation, but there hasn’t been any conclusive evidence n the benefits of THCA flower at this point.
How Much THC Is In THCA Flower?
Turning THCA into psychoactive THC happens at a rate of roughly 88%. When you buy THCA flower, look at the lab testing. Find the amount of THCA and multiply it by .877 for a rough estimate of THC content once decarbed.
This formula can vary based on the time and temperature of decarboxylation. Click here for our complete guide on how to decarb THCA flower for optimal potency.
Hemp Flower High In THCA
Let’s recap what we covered in this article
- THCA Flower is Legal To Sell Thanks to the Farm Bill
- THCA, Like Marijuana, Doesn’t Do Anything In Raw Form
- Differences between THCA flower and THC Flower are licensing and testing
- The Effects of THCA Flower Are The Same As Weed
- High THCA Means Higher THC Levels
Where Can I Buy The Best Flower?
If you’re looking to buy the best THCA flower on the market, we’re your new plug! HIGH THCA Hemp Flower curates the best strains of THCA flower for the best prices. If you want the strongest THCA flower around, try our Snowcap THCA Flower. It’s THCA flower infused with pure THCA isolate for a potent, top shelf smoking experience.
We sell THCA flower for less than $100 an ounce when you buy 4 or more ounces at a time. Check out our bulk THCA flower deals for amazing every day prices.