THCA is a cannabinoid that has been around for as long as cannabis was first discovered. However, it didn’t gain popularity just up until recently. And that is probably because it cannot get users high. Cannabis is popular for many things, but one of its most sought-after characteristics is its psychoactive effects.
While THC is the main cannabinoid that gets users high, THCA is not a psychoactive substance – despite having the letters “THC” in its name. However, even if THCA doesn’t necessarily get you high, it does have potential therapeutic properties – meaning that knowing THCA percentages in cannabis products could be essential.
In this article, we will delve into the realm of THCA, including the meaning of THCA, the importance of its percentages in cannabis products, THCA products you can consume to get high, and a lot more. After reading this article, you will understand what to expect when selecting strains with high THCA percentages.
If you are not ready for THCA and want to consume hemp-derived Delta-9 THC instead, you can try some of our best-sellers right now at the Melee Dose store!
Key Takeaways
- Unlike THC, THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis or hemp plants.
- THCA slowly converts into THC as the plant ages, which is why smoking fresh or young cannabis plants doesn’t get you high.
- THCA percentages in cannabis strains and other cannabis products are important to consider when selecting the right product for you because they can affect its therapeutic potential.
- A high THCA percentage doesn’t always mean it is better. Although THCA doesn’t get you high, consuming more than you can tolerate can lead to side effects, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, anxiety, dry mouth, and fatigue.
- The legality of THCA is vague, but as long as products are hemp-derived and comply with the 2018 Farm Bill, they should be legal.
What Is THCA?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCA, is one out of hundreds of cannabinoids found in cannabis and hemp plants. THCA is mostly found in raw cannabis plants that haven’t matured yet.
Through time, THCA will naturally convert into Delta-9 THC as the cannabis plant matures. But unlike THC, THCA does not produce psychoactive effects.
As the cannabis plants grow and mature, THCA will turn into THC, and that process is called decarboxylation. However, the decarboxylation process can be accelerated with the use of heat. Basically, you can think of THCA as THC that is not yet activated.
One of the main differences between THCA and Delta-9 THC is that Delta-9 THC does not have the presence of a carboxyl group. Although THCA is basically THC in its inactive form, it cannot produce any psychoactive effects because THCA does not bind with the body’s CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors.
How Strong Is THCA?
As mentioned before, THCA is not a psychoactive substance as long as it stays in its original form. With that said, you will not experience any of the psychoactive effects associated with the consumption of Delta-9 THC from cannabis and other psychoactive cannabinoids.
Although you may not experience relaxing, euphoric, and mind-altering effects with THCA, you may enjoy some of its potential therapeutic effects.
What Does THCA Percentage Mean?
The THCA percentages vary between different cannabis strains and products. Generally, the higher the THCA percentage in a strain, the more effective its therapeutic effects can be. But because THCA cannot get you high, its high percentages don’t mean it can raise the intensity of its psychoactive effects.
However, with that in mind – a higher THCA percentage also means it can convert to a higher THC percentage – meaning if it gets decarboxylated or if the plant matures, the strain will have more potent psychoactive effects.
What Is Considered A High THCA Percentage?
THCA is commonly sold as a form of hemp flower or raw cannabis. And sometimes, it is being sold as seeds. When buying THCA flowers or seeds, knowing the percentage and how high is too high is essential.
Anything that goes above 25% is considered a high THC percentage. Although having a higher THCA percentage may seem good, considering it will have a higher THC percentage when decarboxylated, it might be too strong and have potential side effects for users.
If the THCA percentage is too high, you will probably not have a good experience unless your tolerance to THC is high already.
But generally speaking, you might experience a dissatisfying high that you wouldn’t enjoy as much if you smoke strains with higher THCA percentages. Note that the ideal percentage will balance out each strain’s potential benefits and risks.
What Is A Good THCA Percentage To Look For?
When purchasing THCA in any form, the ideal percentage to look for is around 15 to 20%. This optimal range will balance out the potential benefits and risks and produce a good amount of THC when the plant grows or goes through the decarboxylation process.
We mentioned before that the higher percentage of THCA means it will have increased potential therapeutic benefits. Although it is true, the high percentage of THCA could also result in experiencing side effects that you would not want to experience when consuming THCA.
With that said, you may also want to note that the response to THCA percentage varies from one individual to another based on their tolerance, age, metabolism, and other factors. Still, the 15 to 20% THCA range is recommended for any individual consuming THCA.
If it is your first time consuming THCA and any other cannabis product, you can start with a lower THCA percentage just to be safe – and gradually increase consumption to determine your optimal dose.
In addition to this, the THCA percentage also varies between different products. For example, flowers, gummies, THCA diamonds, and other products have different percentages of THCA.
Does THCA Convert To Delta-9 THC When Heated?
Yes, THCA converts into Delta-9 THC when heated. When a cannabis plant dries and is exposed to heat, the THCA undergoes a process called decarboxylation, which converts it into Delta-9 THC – the main psychoactive substance in marijuana.
To convert THCA into THC, you won’t need any special equipment. Because it is a natural process, THCA will convert into THC without much intervention.
Leaving raw cannabis at room temperature will allow decarboxylation to happen naturally, and you can speed up the process if you expose your raw cannabis plants to sunlight.
If you have been smoking cannabis for a while now, lighting up your weed in your bowl, bong, or joint is like unconsciously converting THCA into THC. However, smoking might not be the best or most efficient way to decarboxylate THCA into THC.
The most efficient way to get the most THC from THCA is by vaping or dabbing. Because of the higher temperatures, you can get the most out of the THCA when converting them into THC, which also results in a better high – considering you have an ideal percentage of THCA in the first place.
Another efficient way to decarboxylate THCA into THC is by cooking. When making cannabis oil or butter from trimmings, leaves, and stems – you are converting these non-psychoactive substances into edibles that can get you high.
How Much THCA Converts To Delta-9 When Decarboxylated?
When THCA converts into Delta-9 THC through the process of decarboxylation, some THCA might be lost in the process. With that said, only around 87 to 90% of THCA will convert into THC, and the other 10 to 13% will be lost during the process – which is not bad if you have an ideal amount of THCA.
Note that THCA and THC percentages are different. 15 to 20% THCA might be the ideal percentage, but when converted to THC, the ideal numbers slightly vary.
THCA vs. THC Percentages And How They Vary
We previously mentioned that the higher the THCA percentage, the more effective its therapeutic effects will be. But when it comes to THC, a higher percentage of THC is equal to a more potent high.
THC percentages vary greatly from one strain to another. These numbers depend on certain factors such as strain genetics, growing conditions, harvest time, and how well the curing process was executed. In addition, you should note that indica strains have higher THC percentages compared to sativa strains.
If your strain has a higher THCA percentage, expect it to have a higher THC percentage when decarboxylated – meaning it can get you really high when the high THCA percentage converts to the psychoactive THC.
What Is A High THCA Percentage For Flower?
If you want to purchase THCA flowers, note that a high THCA percentage for flowers ranges from around 25 to 30%. Compared to other forms of THCA, flowers have the highest concentrations of THCA, so you should expect them to have higher THCA percentages.
However, the percentages ultimately depend on how the flowers are cultivated and what seeds the growers use. If you are a cannabis user with high tolerance, a higher THCA percentage might be appealing – but remember that higher THCA percentages do not always mean you will have the best experience.
The side effects of getting higher than you can tolerate may lead to dizziness, nausea, headaches, anxiety, and cottonmouth. With that in mind, you might start with something with a lower THCA percentage – especially if you are not used to getting high.
What Is A High THCA Percentage For Gummies?
THCA gummies might be the most popular form of THCA. Since you are not burning it or exposing it to heat, the THCA percentage in gummies will not convert into THC. However, some THCA gummies can still get you high depending on the other cannabinoids included in them.
Delta-9 gummies feel like eating regular edibles, but gummies with a higher THCA percentage will have more therapeutic effects.
When consuming gummies, the ideal dose of THCA should be around 10 to 15%. This amount is good enough to experience the therapeutic effects without experiencing the risks and side effects.
Keep in mind that, unlike smoking or vaping, consuming gummies might take longer to kick in, and the effects may last longer.
What Is A High THCA Percentage For THCA Diamonds?
Out of all the THCA products and forms, THCA diamonds might be the most potent option. If you are a long-time cannabis user with a high tolerance, and you are looking for something that could make you feel like the first time you ever tried weed – THCA diamonds might be the best option.
You are probably wondering why THCA diamonds are potent, considering THCA does not get you high at all. Well, since diamonds require high levels of heat to smoke, the 85 to 99% THCA will convert into a high THC percentage that will get casual smokers baked out of their minds!
Consuming THCA diamonds at this rate can be quite intense, and we do not recommend first-time cannabis smokers do this method. Even if you are an experienced cannabis user, it is still best to start at a low dose and test the waters before diving into this extremely potent form of THCA.
THCA Diamonds vs. THCA Crystalline vs. THCA Isolate Powder
THCA comes in many forms. Some of these are THCA diamonds, THCA crystalline, and THCA isolate powder. These options have different percentages, and the consumption method varies for each.
People who consume THCA diamonds commonly use a dabbing rig. This method is used for heating cannabis concentrates at high temperatures and then inhaled. This method decarbs THCA diamonds and converts them into THC to get the psychoactive effects. As mentioned, THCA diamonds have high percentages of THCA, meaning dabbing these highly potent concentrates is ideal for long-time cannabis smokers who can handle it.
THC crystalline is an ultra-refined form of THCA, resulting in crystal flakes with a purity level of 99% – which is even higher than THCA diamonds. This form can also be dabbed, but it can also be vaporized. Some users say that crystalline offers a cleaner experience as they melt at lower temperatures, which preserves a distinct flavor that THCA diamonds don’t have.
Lastly, THCA powder or isolate powder is another form of THCA that is made by freezing and grinding cannabis. The THCA contained in the ground plants is extracted and crystallized, resulting in fine light green powder.
Out of all the three forms mentioned, isolate powder has the lowest percentage of THCA. You can consume the powder by heating and inhaling, but the most popular method is by consuming them orally – which provides therapeutic effects instead of psychoactive effects.
These forms of THCA offer the same benefits if you consume them properly. The only difference is some characteristics that may have a certain appeal depending on the user. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best option for you.
Is A Higher THCA Better?
When it comes to THCA, a higher percentage doesn’t always equate to a better experience. Higher concentrations might contribute to more therapeutic effects, but that does tip the scales and increases the risks of side effects.
To find your ideal dose, it is always better to start small and observe the best dose for you.
Final Thoughts – What Is A High THCA Percentage
Based on everything we discussed in the article, the best THCA percentage for any user is around 15 to 20%. Anything above 20 or 25% is not recommended because it can lead to side effects that you might regret.
Also, you need to keep in mind that the ideal THCA percentage might vary from person to person. But the 15 to 20% range is still the ideal concentration that most cannabis users enjoy!
Where To Buy Delta-9 And THCA Products Online
THCA might not be for everybody, and it might not always be readily available in the market. Luckily for you, nothing beats the main psychoactive Delta-9 THC when it comes to getting high – and Melee offers a wide selection of Delta-9 products that will not only satisfy your mind and body, but also your taste buds!
Here is a list of our best-selling gummies and vapes:
Kiwi – Pink Candy Kush Gummies
This strain is one of the most popular strains in the world of cannabis, and now you can try it in the form of chewy, flavorful, and potent gummies. If you want an entirely new way to experience this award-winning strain, you should definitely try out these gummies!
Blue Razz – Runtz is the result of combining award-winning strains Zkittlez and Gelato. Once you open the packaging, you will be welcomed by resin-drenched gummies that offer a happy and euphoric high!
Orange Creamsicle Live Resin Disposable Vape
If you are into sweet citrusy flavors, a puff from this disposable vape blend will seal the deal. It contains a well-curated combination of terpenes and cannabinoids that offers a satisfying high!
Strawberry Zkittles Live Resin Disposable Vape
If you loved chewy candies growing up or up until now, you can experience the sweet goodness while getting high with this disposable vape option.
Watermelon Mimosa Live Resin Disposable Vape
If you like mimosas and enjoy them at any time of the day, this vape is the best option for you. It features a sweet, refreshing flavor with an even better high no matter what time of day!
THCA: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Type Of High Is THCA?
If you are wondering what type of high THCA is, it is good to note that THCA itself doesn’t get you high. However, if you expose THCA to heat, it will convert into THC and provide users with psychoactive effects, depending on the percentage.
What Is THCA Flower?
THCA flowers are unprocessed buds from a young or raw cannabis or hemp plant. These flowers do not contain THC yet, but when exposed to heat or when the buds mature, the THCA becomes THC, which can get you high.
How Is THCA Flower Made?
Hemp farmers make THCA flowers by growing cannabis or hemp plants in cold temperatures to prevent THCA from converting into THC.
Is THCA Natural?
THCA naturally occurs in young hemp or cannabis plants, which makes them a natural cannabinoid or substance.
