What is THCA? Uses, Health Impact, Benefits & Where to Buy | Cannabis

4. Mystic Labs THCA Pre-Rolls

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Potency (mg of Actives): 1.25 g of THCA-infused hemp flower

Capacity: 1 pre-roll (1.25 g of flower)

If vaping isn’t your thing, these THCA pre-rolls may suit you. 

Mystic Labs THCA pre-rolls contain 1.25 grams of premium THCA hemp flower per roll. They’re rolled to perfection, burn evenly, and induce a high similar to smoking regular marijuana. 

They’re available in three strains — Biscotti, Ice Cream Cake, and White Truffle.

These pre-rolls are a great alternative if you enjoy smoking weed. However, although they’re infused with terpenes and flavonoids, the industrial hemp flower doesn’t have the same depth of flavor and burn that a high-quality cannabis strain does. 

5. Binoid THCA Disposable Vapes

Rating: ⭐⭐

Potency (mg of Actives): THCA (unknown quantities)

Capacity: 2 gram (2000 mg)

Binoid’s disposable THCA vaporizers contain two grams of live resin that are infused with a 99% pure THCA distillate. 

They’re available in a range of “strains” from Unicorn Berry to Watermelon OG. However, they don’t have the same intense flavor as some of the weed carts on the list.

We like the Binoid THCA disposable vapes because they’re relatively low-cost and contain quality extracts. You shouldn’t expect the same potency, flavor, and consistency as the more premium products we’ve discussed. We’re not sure about the exact amount of THCA and other cannabinoids used in Binoid’s formula — this information isn’t available to consumers, which is worrying.

If you’re on a budget and have a lower tolerance, these disposable vape pens are worth a look. 

6. Cookies THCA Pre-Rolls

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Potency (mg of Actives): 1000 mg of hemp extract (including THCA)

Capacity: 1 gram (1000 mg)

The one-gram THCA pre-rolls from Cookies come in a range of strains. Each different pre-roll has been formulated with US-grown hemp flower that have been infused with THCA and a range of terpenes from different strains. 

Some of Cookies’ pre-rolls are coated in THCA “diamonds,” and others contain “double-potency” extracts. There’s plenty to choose from in the range, from blends of “Gelatti and Lemon” to diamond-coated “Menthol 2 and Gelatti.”

If you’re looking for a potent hemp-derived THCA pre-roll, Cookies is well worth a look. They don’t have the same flavor and are much milder than regular cannabis pre-rolls, but they’re a good alternative if you live in a restricted state. 

7. Exhale Wellness THCA Disposable Vape

Rating: ⭐⭐

Potency (mg of Actives): 200 mg THCA, 500 mg Delta 8 THC

Capacity: 1 gram (1000 mg)

The Exhale Wellness THCA disposable vapes contain a blend of 200 mg of THCA and 500 mg of delta 8 THC. They’re some of the weakest vapes on the list but come in at a cheaper price compared to some of the other products. 

The lower price is attractive, but be aware that these are one-gram vapes — they won’t last as long as those offered by Finest Labs, Area 52, or Binoid. They’re available in a choice of four strains — Maui Wowie, Biscotti, Birthday Cake, and Orange Creamsicle — but they all taste and feel pretty similar. 

If you’re a seasoned smoker looking to replace cannabis with a federally legal alternative, these aren’t the vapes for you. However, if your tolerance is low and you don’t expect to consume much, these are worth a look. 

CBD products are also worth a try, and the brand is a great place to buy CBD gummies for anxiety as well as CBD gummies for pain.

What is THCA, & Why is it a Good Alternative for Weed Smokers?

If you’ve ever heated cannabis in the oven before making edibles to “activate it,” what you did was convert the THCA into delta 9 THC. 

THCA is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid found in hemp and marijuana plants. It’s the precursor to delta 9 THC. Although it doesn’t induce a high when consumed in its raw form, heating it changes it to delta 9, inducing effects similar to marijuana.

Here’s why it’s a good alternative for weed smokers:

1. THCA is Legal

Although delta 9 THC is illegal, THCA isn’t, as long as it’s derived from hemp. The 2018 Farm Bill made THCA and all other hemp-derived cannabinoids legal under federal law. Although some states have banned certain hemp-derived THC isomers, THCA remains widely unrestricted.

2. THCA is Stronger Than Delta 8 THC

THCA is much stronger than most hemp-derived THC isomers, such as delta 8 and delta 10 THC. When consumed using a vaporizer, this cannabinoid induces intense euphoria, relaxation, and altered perception. 

3. THCA Induces Similar Effects to Marijuana

THCA converts to delta 9 THC when heated. This makes it the perfect legal cannabinoid to use in vaporizers. When the vapor of a THCA vape is inhaled, the user is inhaling the same psychoactive component found in marijuana.

It’s difficult to tell the difference between a high-quality hemp-derived THCA vape and a marijuana THC vape. Most THCA vapes are slightly less potent compared to their cannabis-derived siblings, but even the experienced cannabis connoisseur will enjoy the experience.

Dosage: How Much THCA Should You Take?

The effective dose of THCA varies from person to person, depending on tolerance, body weight, and consumption format. If you consume THCA in its raw state, it won’t induce any psychoactive effects, meaning it can be consumed in almost any quantity, similar to CBD. 

If you “activate” the THCA first, it will metabolize to delta 9 THC and induce effects similar to weed. With this in mind, the dose is the same as delta 9 THC. 

THCA dosage guide:

If you’re unfamiliar with THCA or smoking/vaping cannabis, you should start with a low dose and gradually build it up. One or two puffs of a THCA vape is a good start. Wait 10 minutes between tokes and gradually increase until you achieve the desired effects. You can always consume more, but you can never take less.

Does THCA Show Up On Drug Tests? 

Although THCA is federally legal when derived from hemp, it will trigger a positive result on a drug test. This is because it metabolizes into delta 9 THC during decarboxylation. 

Drug tests can’t tell the difference between cannabis-derived THC and hemp-derived THC. They also can’t distinguish between different THC isomers such as delta 8, delta 10, etc. This means that most hemp-derived THC products will show up on a drug test. 

If you regularly undergo drug screenings for work or legal reasons, you should avoid consuming any form of THC, regardless of whether it’s legal or not.

With that said, the type of drug test performed does play a role in whether a positive result is produced. 

THC is present in the saliva glands from 12 to 30 hours after the last use, so it’s possible to pass a swab test if you haven’t consumed THC in a couple of days. 

It can be found in blood and urine samples for up to 30 days after the last use and in hair follicle samples for up to 90 days after the last use. If you need to undergo one of the latter drug screens, it’s best to avoid using THCA vapes entirely. 

THCA vs. Other Cannabinoids

THCA is just one of over 100 different cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant. It’s manufactured from another compound called CBGA, depending on the growing conditions and individual needs of the plant.

CBGA can also be converted into CBDA and CBCA in the plant, each of which further evolves into CBD and CBC, respectively.

Let’s examine how THCA compares to some of the other cannabinoids produced by the cannabis plant: 

1. Delta 9 THC

THCA is the precursor molecule to delta 9 THC. When the plant manufactures THC, it adds a carboxyl group (acid). This prevents THCA from binding to the endocannabinoid receptors. 

However, once heated over 200º, the added energy rips off the carboxyl group, producing pure delta 9 THC.

2. Delta 8 THC

Delta 8 THC is virtually identical to delta 9 THC, but the location of a double bond in the central ring is moved one spot to the left. When this happens, the potency of the molecule drops by about 50%. 

Delta 8 THC is popular today because it sidesteps existing bans on delta 9 THC. It’s a psychoactive cannabinoid that will get you high, but when it comes to delta 8 vs delta 9’s effects, the former has a milder, smoother effect than the latter.

Delta 8 is also oftentimes confused with delta 10, another THC variant. When comparing delta 10 vs delta 8’s effects, delta 10 gives you a more energizing experience like sativa, while delta 8 has more indica, relaxing effects.

3. HHC

HHC forms further down the line after THCA is converted to delta 9 THC. Further decomposition yields mostly CBN (another, non-active cannabinoid) and a small portion of HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). 

HHC looks just like delta 9 THC, but the double bond in the central structure is removed entirely and replaced with an extra two hydrogen atoms. This stabilizes the molecule and helps it resist breakdown when exposed to oxygen, light, heat, and acid.

4. CBD

CBD (cannabidiol) is the cannabis plant’s primary medicinal component. It’s completely non-psychoactive, which means no matter how much you ingest, you won’t get high.

However, just because CBD doesn’t make users feel high doesn’t mean it’s “inactive.” CBD binds to the CB2 endocannabinoid receptors to regulate everything from hormone production and temperature regulation to inflammation control and sedation.

Of the different cannabinoids on the market, CBD is one of the most popular. You’ll see CBD in many formats — from full-spectrum CBD gummies and full-spectrum CBD oils to CBD creams and even CBD dog treats for anxiety.

Many people use CBD for anxiety and CBD for pain. Some even use CBD for sleep and find it very helpful for their symptoms.

5. THCV

THCV looks just like THC but with a shorter carbon tail on the end. This rare cannabinoid is only produced in notable quantities by a few rare African cannabis strains. The effects of THCV are much more subtle than THC (roughly 30% as potent) but produce stimulating effects when taken at equivalent doses.

6. THCP

Similarly to THCV, the only difference between THCP and delta 9 THC is the size of its carbon chain. This compound has a 7-carbon chain, which dramatically increases the overall potency on the CB1 receptors.

THCP is estimated to be between 7 and 10 times stronger per milligram than delta 9 THC.

7. THC-O

THC-O is a semi-synthetic cannabinoid made by adding an extra functional group to the central structure. The added group improves the bioavailability of THC to make it more efficient when smoked or eaten. THC-O is estimated to be around three times more potent than delta 9 THC.

FAQs: THCA & Other Legal Cannabinoids 

Read the answers to the frequently asked questions below if you want to find out more about THCA and other hemp-derived, legal cannabinoids…

1. Why Isn’t THCA Used in Legal THC Gummies?

THCA is the non-psychoactive precursor to delta 9 THC. In its raw form, it’s inactive. It must be decarboxylated to convert it to delta 9 THC to induce any psychoactive effects. 

THCA is not used in gummies because they don’t require heating like hemp flowers and vape liquids do before consumption — THCA gummies are useless to the recreational user who wants to experience the effects of THC.

If you want a legal THC gummy that induces a strong high, check out Area 52’s UFO Max full-spectrum THC gummies. Each piece contains 15 mg of THC while remaining under the legal threshold of 0.3% THC by weight. These gummies induce a similar high to cannabis but are completely legal. 

2. What’s the Best Alternative to THCA?

If THCA vapes are not available to you, there are some effective legal alternatives to consider.

Delta 8 THC is a popular hemp-derived cannabinoid that offers similar effects to THCA, though the high is milder. Vapes with delta-8 extracts are great for functional use or for those who are more sensitive to delta-9 THC.

Another option is HHC, a hydrogenated version of delta-9 THC. This cannabinoid is created by adding hydrogen atoms to delta 9 THC, altering its structure enough to make it federally legal in any concentration.

3. Which Hemp-derived Cannabinoids Have Psychoactive Effects?

Several hemp-derived cannabinoids have psychoactive effects, including:

-Delta 9 THC (only federally legal if under 0.3% by weight; commonly found in gummies).

-Delta 8 THC

-Delta 10 THC

-HHC

-THCV

Delta 9 provides a balance of effects but is limited to specific formats due to legal thresholds. Other derivatives, such as delta 8, delta 10, HHC, and THCV, are federally legal in higher concentrations and can be used in products like vapes, tinctures, and edibles.

4. Is it okay to Consume THCA Long-Term?

Yes, consuming THCA long-term in its raw form is generally safe, as it lacks psychoactive effects. However, if it’s decarboxylated into delta-9 THC, regular use could have similar long-term effects as marijuana consumption.

5. What is the comparison between THCA and CBD?

THCA and CBD are both non-psychoactive in their raw forms. However, THCA becomes psychoactive when heated, converting into delta-9 THC, whereas CBD remains non-psychoactive no matter how it’s consumed. CBD is commonly used for its potential health benefits, such as anxiety relief and reducing inflammation, without causing a high like THC.

6. What Should I Look for When Buying THCA Products?

When you buy weed online, including THCA products, look for third-party lab testing to verify the potency and purity of the product. Ensure the product contains high-quality, organic hemp and check for brand transparency regarding ingredients and extraction methods. Reviews and brand reputation are also crucial in determining the quality of THCA products.

7. Are THCA products usable in edibles?

Yes, THCA can be used in edibles, but it needs to be decarboxylated (heated) to convert the psychoactive delta-9 THC. This activation process can be completed by baking, cooking, or heating the product before consumption. Consuming raw THCA will not produce any psychoactive effects.