If you ever tried eating weed or smoking raw cannabis and didn’t get the high you were hoping for – well, that’s because the THC in those plants was not yet active during that time. Consuming raw weed will not get you high because the THC is not yet present, and it is still in its inactive form – which is known as THCA.
If you are wondering if THCA contains THC, this article will answer all your “burning” THCA questions (pun definitely intended), and you will get why we used that pun as you read through the article – now let’s get started.
Key Takeaways
- THCA is not a psychoactive substance.
- THCA is a precursor to THC, meaning THCA is the inactive form of THC that does not get you high.
- THCA converts into THC as a plant matures or when exposed to heat, which is a process called decarboxylation.
- THCA products are safe. However, you should keep an eye on THCA percentages because consuming too much can have risks and side effects.
Does THCA Have THC In It?
The simple answer is yes. THCA does have THC in it, but it also contains a carboxylic acid group, which stops the cannabinoids from binding with your CB1 and CB2 receptors, which is why THCA does not get you high – at least not yet.
Before THCA turns into THC or hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, it needs to be burned or go through the process of decarboxylation. If you have been smoking weed for years, you have been decarboxylating THCA without even knowing.
THCA And THC: What’s The Difference?
The main difference between THCA and THC is that THCA is not a psychoactive compound, and THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. However, THCA will eventually turn into THC, but as long as THCA remains in its original form – it will not get you high.
Although THCA cannot get you high, anecdotal evidence from users report many benefits, such as being a superfood that could help with several ailments.
How THCA Becomes THC
THCA turns into THC through the decarboxylation process. In simple terms, THCA will turn to THC when exposed to heat, light, and air. Raw or freshly harvested cannabis plants have THCA.
The heat removes the carboxylic acid group from THCA, which alters the chemical structure and turns it into the psychoactive compound we all know and love – which is THC. Without the acid group in THCA, the THC will now bind to your endocannabinoid system and CB receptors to feel the elevated experience from smoking weed.
THCA vs. THC: Decarboxylation Process
Here are the most common ways to decarboxylate raw cannabis and transform THCA to Delta-9 THC:
Smoking
When you smoke dried cannabis the normal way, the degree of heat applied in that short time converts the residual THCA into THC, making you high. This is one of the most common ways to convert THCA into THC, and users have been doing this all along without knowing.
Sunlight
When a raw cannabis plant is exposed to sunlight, it slowly converts into THC. Even without sunlight, decarboxylation can also happen at room temperature, but the process is slower compared to being exposed to high temperatures.
Vaping
Vaping is another popular way of decarbing THCA into THC. Vape pens have accurate temperature settings to convert the most THCA into THC for a stable experience.
Baking
Making cannabutter from raw THC plants, trimmings, stems, and leaves is another way to maximize the entire cannabis plant. The inactive THC in these parts of the plants can be activated when baked and turned into sweet and tasty edibles.
Dabbing
Dabbing requires special equipment and high heat, which can convert THCA crystals into THC. However, this process can get you really high, so you might want to have a higher tolerance if you want to try this method.
Is THCA Safe?
Like Delta-9 THC, THCA products are relatively safe when you buy them from reputable sources. However, another aspect you should look at if you are concerned about safety is the THCA percentage. Anything that goes over 20% is considered a high percentage and could have side effects for new users.
Where To Buy Delta-9 THC And THCA Products Online
Aside from THCA, there are other products out there that could get you high legally, such as hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, HHC, Delta-8, Delta-10, and many more. If you are looking for the best alternative hemp-derived product options – Melee has a vast range of products you can get right at your doorstep!
If you’re looking for THCA, check out our new line of THCA pre rolls available now. You don’t want to miss them.
FAQs
Does THCA Show On A Drug Test?
In case you were wondering, does THCA show on a drug test – the answer is yes. Consuming THCA flower or any other form of THCA will turn into THC, especially when vaped, burned, or cooked. If you are expecting a drug test soon, we will advise you not to take THCA.
Does THCA Get You High?
THCA is THC in its inactive state. Consuming raw THCA without smoking, vaping, or cooking it with your cannabis-infused dishes will not get you high. However, if the THCA goes through decarboxylation before consumption, you will get high – and the intensity of your high will depend on the process and THCA percentage.
Is THCA Legal?
As of now, THCA is not banned at a federal level in the United States. However, sales and possession of THCA could get you prosecuted under a thing called the Federal Analogue Act. If you live in a state where the recreational use of cannabis is legal, THCA will most likely be legal in your state as well. Make sure you check local THC laws to be sure before purchasing THCA products, or any other cannabis products for that matter.
What Is A High THCA Percentage?
The ideal THCA percentage is 15 to 20%. Anything above 20% is considered a high THCA percentage.
Is THCA Psychoactive?
THCA is a non-psychoactive substance found in raw or young cannabis plants – meaning it cannot get you high. However, when exposed to heat or when it goes through the process of decarboxylation, THCA will turn into THC – which is the main psychoactive substance in weed.
The higher the percentage of THCA turned to THC, the more potent it is, so you need to make sure that you know the THCA percentage of a product before consuming too much and feel the risks and side effects.
