You can’t act on a hunch when choosing hemp products. It is never just about the most beautiful buds or the easiest method to try cannabis. All varieties and compounds like THCA mean something, and you must understand whether what you’re smoking is really what you’ve bought and what you want.
To help you make your way through the concepts of THCA, D-9, and their connections, we’ll cover:
- How are these cannabinoids related?
- Does THCA convert to Delta-9?
- How many ways of transforming one cannabinoid into another exist?
Keep reading to become a more mindful consumer and know what to expect from each drag you take.
Does THCA convert to Delta-9 when smoked?
There would be way fewer reasons to smoke THCA if it wasn’t the first step to Delta-9. So yes, it does.
Smoking inevitably turns THCA into D-9, with decarboxylation taking the central spot in the process. To better understand the intricacies of this transformation, let’s dive deeper into the properties of the two compounds.
THCA vs. Delta-9
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is the first chair of the hemp orchestra. As a highly concentrated cannabinoid, it can be discovered in raw Sativa plants and doesn’t have euphoric traits, at least not in its preheated form. Unlike psychoactive compounds, THCA doesn’t induce the typical high effects, which makes it legal to buy and consume in most US states. It’s also a #1 choice among manufacturers of THCA pre-rolls, edibles, tinctures, and other products.
Besides being the prevalent cannabinoid, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid may develop into THC if influenced by heat. This might appear irrelevant until you learn that D-9 wouldn’t exist without it. THCA converts to Delta-9 and leads to the desired mental and physical state (we’ll explain how a little bit later).
Delta-9 stands out as one of the most prominent hemp plant components. It has everything to do with happiness feelings and physical relaxation, depending on the strains you pamper yourself with. Here’s a brief heads-up:
- Sativas are typically associated with a more cerebral high
- Indicas tend to evoke a more profound body-centric experience
D-9 is a controlled cannabinoid in the US, so it is either limited or entirely forbidden to purchase and consume. At the same time, THCA lacks ‘heavily monitored’ properties and is available without the clampdown on the products containing it. It is legal all the way until decarboxylation steps into the story to define your smoking experience.
How can you turn THCA into D-9?
Before being harvested, hemp and cannabis plants boast high THCA rates, while their D-9 levels fall behind. However, the situation is different with ready-to-use THCA flowers and pre-rolled joints. The D-9 levels of these products can be unlocked in all their beauty through decarboxylation, an elaborate term to define a simple heat-based chemical reaction.
Decarboxylation occurs when cannabis is dried and heated. Throughout this process, THCA magically converts into D-9.
Smoking pre-rolls is the simplest example of releasing the cannabinoid’s full potency. Whenever you flick the lighter, you initiate decarboxylation, thereby enriching tetrahydrocannabinolic acid with new properties.
When heated, THCA converts to Delta-9 and starts interacting with neurotransmitters in your brain. As a result, it may cause the following effects:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Appetite boost
- Improved sleep
- Pain relief
Of course, there may be other individual reactions. You can’t put all eggs into one basket when it comes to predicting the experience.
What temperature does THCA convert to Delta-9?
The efficiency of decarbing depends on how thoroughly you heat a pre-roll or other product during your smoking session. Higher temperatures lead to the increased conversion rates of THCA to D-9.
Typically, it starts calming you down or boosting your energy at around 220°F. However, variations in strains may result in differences in THCA levels, so you may need to heat your joint for longer or crank up the heat to reach the desired effect.
Alternative ways of converting one into another
As decarbing removes carboxyl from the THCA structure by exposing it to specific temperatures, does it mean that smoking joints or flowers is the only way to get high?
No.
Beyond smoking, there are other ways to convert innocent tetrahydrocannabinolic acid into a potent psychoactive compound highly sought after by enthusiasts:
- Vaporizing. Are you into vaping cannabis rather than smoking? This method also entails heating the cannabinoid to release it without combustion while preserving delicate compounds (like terpenes) and enhancing flavors.
- Cooking. Low-temperature baking is a good skill to master. Doing so with THCA flower is the first step of infusing the cannabinoid into fats for use in recipes like brownies, cakes, or gummies. This method also causes longer-lasting effects and slower onset.
- Dabbing. For those aiming to maximize cannabinoid potency, dabbing presents a convenient option. If you have a dab rig, you can quickly heat THCA products and inhale the vapor with an avalanche of the accompanying effects.
As you can see, all methods imply exposing the cannabinoid to heat, but which one to use is up to you. Some specific products will also come with step-by-step recommendations on how to convert THCA to Delta-9.
Conclusion
THCA is a favored natural remedy and a decent recreational option. For some, it proves more effective than D-9. Whatever effect you’re looking for, you can easily play with both compounds if you know how to turn the raw plant into a source of the desired ingredients.
Keep in mind the following things and stock up on flowers and other goodies that can be transformed into THC in the blink of an eye:
- THCA and Delta-9 are (and will always be) relatives.
- The former isn’t psychoactive, but D-9 is and can create that high experience.
- THCA can convert to Delta-9 through the decarboxylation process or simply heating.
- Pre-rolled joints and disposables are some options to decarboxylate it and produce euphoric effects.
There are various methods to unlock the hidden potential of THCA. You can choose your favorite one at Venera, offering many collections of goodies to indulge in by flicking the lighter.
