What is THCA, and What Are All Its Benefits?

Just when you thought you were almost done learning the specifics of the cannabinoids THC and CBD, how they affect you, how they interact with terpenes, which are another class of cannabis-derived substances, and perhaps even what the “entourage effect” is, there’s another cannabinoid that you should know about. The cannabinoid that you should be aware of is THCA.

Cannabis plants produce more than 100 different cannabinoids, and each one has a different effect on how you feel when you smoke, vape, eat, or topically apply them. You might not be aware of it, but the plant contains THCA, and it’s time you learned more about it.

What is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, also known as THCA, is a substance that exists naturally in cannabis plants. It is a precursor to THC, the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The “high” associated with THC is not produced by THCA because it is non-psychoactive. The cannabinoid THCA, which is present in the highest concentration in raw cannabis, is created when the plant is dried and cured. It is also the most stable variety of cannabis, which enables long-term storage without deterioration.

THCA has a variety of potential therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-anxiety effects. Its potential to lessen seizures in people with epilepsy has also been researched. In addition, THCA has been studied for its potential medical benefits, which are still undergoing research and testing.

Many people are turning to THCA as an alternative supplement. It comes in various formats, including oils, tinctures, capsules, and edibles. It is important to remember that THCA is not psychoactive and does not produce the same “high” effect as THC. As such, it is a safe and effective way to experience the potential benefits of cannabis without the psychoactive effects.

THCA: Is It Legal?

The legitimacy of THCA is a complicated matter. The 2018 Farm Bill was a major piece of legislation that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in December 2018. The bill had a major impact on the hemp industry, as it legalized the cultivation and sale of hemp and hemp-derived products, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol acid (THCa). The bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act, allowing hemp to be legally grown and sold in the United States.

The 2018 Farm Bill has been a major boon for the hemp industry, as it has opened up a new market for hemp-derived products. THCA is just one of the many compounds that can be derived from hemp, and its legalization has allowed consumers to access this compound without the psychoactive effects of THC. This has opened up a new market for hemp-derived products, including THCA-infused oils, tinctures, and edibles. 

THCA is not a scheduled substance, but local and federal prohibitions still apply if you possess THCA-rich goods like marijuana or concentrates in an illegal amount. Therefore, arresting officers won’t take into account the fact that raw cannabis isn’t intrinsically intoxicating if you’re found in possession of a pound of marijuana.

What Are THCA’s Effects and Benefits?

There is no high when raw cannabis is consumed without first being decarbed. However, ingesting raw cannabis for its THCA concentration, such as through juicing or taking a tincture or edible based on THCA, offers some of the same advantages as activating THC without getting high.

THCA’s chemical structure prohibits it from connecting with CB receptors in our bodies’ endocannabinoid systems, contrary to some anecdotal reports that claim it has some effect.

Though it still interacts with our receptors in a more peripheral way, there isn’t enough evidence to say that THCA doesn’t give people pain relief in the same way that THC does. According to studies, it may also possess neuroprotective properties that could help to delay the onset of or prevent neurodegenerative illnesses like Huntington’s disease. THCA might also help in the treatment of certain intestinal conditions like colitis and IBS. Preliminary studies suggest that THCA may be helpful for seizure disorders. Even so, a lot more research and studies must be conducted before these advantages can be verified.

How To Use THCA

Many patients and stoners frequently use THCA that has been transformed into THC by smoking, dabbing, vaping, or eating an edible to get the full effects of THCA. In these circumstances, THCA primarily acts as a conduit for the benefits of THC. The benefits of THCA when used alone, however, are being recognized by more and more businesses.

Consuming raw cannabis is a well-liked and convenient approach to using THCA. You can actually just eat it, but for more effectiveness and flavor, many people like to include it in their daily juicing routine. Many businesses also make THCA tinctures and topicals that can be used as part of a regular regimen, much like vitamins or massage oils after strenuous activities.

How To Activate THCA

Activating THCA is as simple as “pack, light, and inhale,” which is good news! Smoking marijuana, taking dabs, using a vape pen, or engaging in any other form of heat-producing intake activates a person’s THCA every day.

Cannabis can also be decarboxylated for topical applications, tinctures, and edibles. You may do it in a few different ways, but the most straightforward is to place the cannabis flower in a regular oven and heat it to between 200 and 245 °F for 30 to 40 minutes. Cannabinoid content will be destroyed by anything over 300 degrees and excessive cooking time.

Should You Dab or Smoke THCA?

Yes, but only if you have the right gear. You must really subject your THCA-infused cannabis product to heat in order to experience the high and other perks. THCA will start converting to THC as soon as it comes into contact with heat, such as that produced by your lighter, a vape pen battery, or a quartz dab nail. So you are mostly breathing THC when you smoke a joint, load a bowl, rip a bong, rip a Volcano bag, click your vape, etc. There are so many different ways to use THCA, as long as you can get it heated to the right temperature to get the most out of it.

THCA: Can It Show Up in a Drug Test?

Yes, a drug test will detect THC and THCA as positive substances. You are likely absorbing THCA as well because it is impossible to fully decarboxylate the entire THCA content of the weed you smoke or the dabs you consume into THC. THCA is a target analyte for marijuana testing in a range of drug tests. As a result, THCA might show up on a drug test as positive. Avoid using or eating THCA-containing items if you intend to get tested. To reiterate, THCA will indeed be detected in a drug test.

Where Can I Find the Best THCA Products?

CannaAid is the best place to buy THCA products because they offer a wide selection of high-quality products at competitive prices. Their products are lab-tested and verified for purity and potency, so you can be sure that you are getting the best quality product available. They also offer fast and reliable shipping, so you can get your THCA products quickly and conveniently. Additionally, their customer service team is knowledgeable and friendly, so you can get the help you need when you need it. You can rely on CannaAid to provide you with the best THCA products on the market. 

Check out CannaAid’s THCA Diamonds, an amazing concentrate that will give you a one-of-a-kind experience. The THCA Diamonds come in a 1-gram jar with 1000 mg of THCA with three different options to choose from. You can either get the THCA Diamonds in the Granddaddy Purple strain, Sour Diesel, or the Natural, which has no terpenes.