Popular among those in states without legal cannabis and among people who prefer to buy weed online, THCa vapes are a great alternative to traditional weed vapes. But as they’ve increased in popularity, so has the confusion around these portable devices. So what are THCa vapes? And can THCa vapes get you high like regular weed?

In short, THCa vapes are vaporizers filled with tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the precursor to THC. THCa vapes can get you high just like regular weed vapes because the THCa converts to THC as it heats up. We’ll break down the process and explain more about how THCa vapes work below:

What are THCa vapes?

THCa vapes are vape cartridges or disposable devices that contain THCa. Like all vape pens and devices, they are portable electronic devices that heat up liquids and cannabis concentrates to transform them into an inhalable vapor. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but in general, resemble an oversized pen or small plastic tank. 

Unlike traditional THC vapes, THCa vapes are widely available online and over the counter in many places. They are not restricted by the legal cannabis market’s regulations. Here’s why:

THCa is non-intoxicating. It’s the acid precursor to THC. When heated to the right temperature, THCa converts into THC, the intoxicating compound behind the typical weed high. 

THCa vapes do not contain enough THC to legally be considered weed, so they can be sold online or in stores. But when you heat up the contents of a THCa vape, the non-intoxicating THCa converts to THC. As a result, THCa vapes can get you just as high as typical THC vapes. 

What’s the difference between THCa vapes and THC vapes?

Despite THCa vapes and THC vapes having the same end result of getting you high, there are some important differences to note about the two, particularly when it comes to legal definitions. 

First, THCa vapes must contain less than 0.3% THC. Only products with 0.3% THC or less can be sold online or in regular stores. Anything with a higher THC content is considered cannabis and must be sold in a licensed cannabis dispensary. 

Because of this distinction, THCa vapes and THC vapes are sold in very different spaces. While you can buy THCa vapes online, you can’t buy THC vapes online. Instead, you have to visit a licensed cannabis dispensary to get your hands on a traditional weed vape. 

For legal and regulatory purposes, THCa is considered to be a form of non-intoxicating hemp rather than intoxicating cannabis. 

Apart from these important regulatory distinctions, THC and THCa vapes function in the exact same way. The portable device heats up the contents to create an inhalable vapor that gets you high. 

Different types of THCa vapes

There are two distinct types of THCa vapes on the market: disposable THCa vapes and THCa vape cartridges. 

Cartridges attach to a battery and require you to replace the cartridge each time you run out of THCa. You can easily swap between different strains and extracts with the same battery, allowing for plenty of flexibility for your vaping experience. 

THCa disposable vapes are all-in-one devices with a battery, heating element, and oil all fused together as one. You don’t have to swap out any of the contents or deal with maintenance, making them a great option for on-the-go vaping. 

Will a THCa vape get me high?

Yes, a THCa vape can absolutely get you high. The experience is often the exact same as using a regular THC vape. Because the THCa converts to THC when heated, you’ll experience the exact same effects as using a THC vape. The strength of your high will depend on how potent the THCa vape is and how many times you use it. 

How to choose a good THCa vape

THCa vapes have seriously changed the game for people who want to buy THCa online, live in states without regulated cannabis markets, or simply prefer a federally legal option. 

While convenient, it’s important to keep in mind that the THCa industry is not as tightly regulated as the recreational cannabis market. There are no tight regulations requiring THCa vape producers to test their products for impurities. That’s why it’s important to choose a good THCa vape from a reputable brand. 

Here’s how to choose a good THCa vape:

Look for lab tested THCa vapes

A good THCa vape brand will offer transparent lab test results proving they tested for and passed all requirements relating to molds, pesticides, heavy metals, and other impurities. 

If you can’t easily find lab test results for a THCa brand, it’s a good idea to look elsewhere. Reputable brands will be upfront about their lab test results to ensure customer safety and satisfaction. 

Skipping over the lab test results can put you in a precarious situation. In an unregulated environment, it’s important to look for brands that take customer safety seriously. Fortunately, there are many tested THCa vapes on the market. 

Look into the strains 

THCa strains operate exactly like THC strains. If you know you have a preference for a certain strain, you may be able to find the THCa version. Pay attention to whether the product is an indica, sativa, or hybrid strain to see what kind of effects you can expect. 

Some brands even include the terpene content to help you better tailor your experience.  

Read reviews

You can learn a lot by checking out the customer reviews. If a brand has no reviews at all, it may be because the company is hiding or deleting negative reviews, or simply because they haven’t had enough customers to garner reviews yet. Both of these scenarios could be a red flag when looking for safe, trusted THCa vapes. 

Products with honest reviews from real shoppers can help you better understand the experience from shipping and packaging to the actual effects of the product. Knowing what to expect from your purchase can help you make the right decision and save you money in the long run. 

Will I fail a drug test if I use a THCa vape?

It’s a common misconception that THCa vapes don’t cause users to fail drug tests. Even though THCa vapes containing less than 0.3% THC are legally considered hemp, they can still get you high because the THCa converts to THC when heated. Because of this, you can fail a drug test after using a THCa vape. 

When you take a drug test after using a THCa vape, your body will show remnants of THC use because the THCa converted to THC before you inhaled it. It’s the same exact effect as if you inhaled regular THC smoke or vapor. 

If you have a drug test coming up, avoid using THCa vapes or any other product that involves consuming THC. 

The bottom line: THCa vapes get you high 

Even though they are filled with non-intoxicating THCa, the truth is, THCa vapes will still get you high because the THCa converts to THC when heated up. 

Once the THCa has converted to THC, the experience is indistinguishable from that of a traditional THC vape.