THCA is one of the most exciting trends for good reason. It’s a lawful way of getting your hands on some cannabis-derived goodness – at the point of purchase, that is. But consumption is a different story. That’s where it can get perplexing, as THCA comes from a plant that is potentially psychoactive.
Luckily, the consumption method isn’t a part of the bigger picture when it comes to THCA’s legal identity. At your discretion, this cannabis hero in disguise can make your experience as euphoric and dreamy or relaxed as you wish. No wonder it is so popular as the precursor to these effects and is a secret agent until uncovered by heat or UV exposure (decarboxylation).
Where does THCA come from?
In the beginning was the Farm Bill, and the differentiating word was THC. Since then, the cannabis laws have been understood as referencing only Delta-9 THC when denoting the legality of various products. That’s why, though D-9 THC and THCA come from the same plant species, their legal statuses bear different names nationally and statewide.
The allowed 0.3% level is the threshold between hemp and non-hemp products and a convenient loophole for:
- THCA flower being sold with no restrictions
- Hemp-derived highs as THCA is decarbed into THC
- Expanding markets for new cannabinoids
THCA buds are real buds that are harvested from the cannabis plant. The key thing here is how processed they are to be distinguished from THC.
So, does THCA come from hemp?
From a commercial and legal perspective, it does. But to be precise, it originates from cannabis that is marketed as hemp. The growth process for the plants THCA flower comes from is different from that of hemp farming for crops, soil regeneration, or industrial purposes.
The cultivation methods for harvesting THC-rich buds and THCA flower are similar. However, when breeding cannabis strains and hybrids, the genetic profile and environmental conditions define the result as THC or THCA-dominant. So, you can choose from:
- Marijuana strains, if THC is the goal
- High-THCA strains that are low in THC but can be highly potent when heat is applied
While THCA flower and weed are close relatives and may have a remarkable visual and olfactory similarity, they aren’t the same thing as long as D-9 THC levels remain the reference point. But they definitely could be – in terms of the resulting high – when that line is blurred by decarboxylation, which is a sure way to get enough THC from THCA buds.
In other words, while the former is typically deemed responsible for deep relaxation effects or a cerebral high, the latter is just a legal detour to the same destination.
Is this a good thing?
Some health experts and lawmakers argue it is not, which is why they would prefer THCA flower to be classified as marijuana. They assert that despite the unique chemical makeup of this cannabinoid in its raw form, it induces the same psychoactive effects as THC in weed and should be treated as such.
But to regular consumers who live in or travel between cannabis-unfriendly states, the answer seems a no-brainer. Making these effects accessible for users amidst the changing and conflicting laws, THCA flower should be viewed as a blessing and a magic herb in its own right.
Apart from being a gateway to the full-spectrum effects of a high, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid has a range of non-euphoric uses and benefits. Until decarbed, it is not intoxicating, which is a fundamental difference. The full psychoactive potential of THCA flower comes from the process initiated by the consumer, who should be entitled to a personalized experience provided they consume responsibly.
The current legal framework allows any genetic cannabis plant material or its derivatives to fall under the definition of ‘hemp’ as long as its D-9 level is compliant. As a result, anything classified as marijuana is rigorously tested and limited to dispensaries, while hemp products and synthetically derived cannabinoids can be sold without the same quality standards and regulations. This makes the industry and consumers face:
- Counterfeit cannabinoid formulations
- Mislabeled goods
- Inaccurate dosing
- Improper storage, handling, and transportation
- Contaminants and toxic substances in the products
The last thing you want is to smoke something that comes from such practices.
Verifying the flower’s quality, potency, and safety
Due to easy accessibility for the user, new cannabinoids are a crowd-pleaser. But they have gained notoriety for added toxicity and inconsistent effects. They do not always serve their purpose by producing a milder or more intense high than THCA coming from the plant. Synthetic cannabinoids are more affordable, but they don’t have the edge over the rich natural strain profiles and flavors, complete with the abundance of other beneficial compounds such as terpenes.
That’s why THCA flower that comes from organic farms is the safest and healthiest option for legal euphoric effects. Anyway, it is essential to know your supplier or the brand manufacturer you are buying from. When you have the data and lab reports backing the safety, purity, and potency of the product, you can be confident in your choice of the best THCA flower strains.
Fast shipping, special offers, bulk prices, and plentiful opportunities to save when buying online are nice bonuses and extra reasons to stick with reputable providers.
Enjoy your buds today
Not all options for bypassing cannabis restrictions come with added risks and quality concerns. Nor does the legal alternative have to be a toned-down version of your preferred experience, like a non-alcoholic beer or zero-nicotine smoke.
The effects of THCA and THC are so alike that they might be considered the same thing. But, as a lesser-known fact, this doesn’t compromise THCA’s legality today.
That said, as the nearly instant conversion requires something as simple as heat to indulge in THCA as a genuine THC experience, the situation may change anytime. The future can hold all sorts of restrictions for the hemp industry, so while you still can, enjoy THCA flower to the fullest!
