Does THCa Get You High?

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) has the ability to get you high, however it will not get you high in its raw state. The euphoric high you associate with cannabis comes from THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which is what THCa converts into when you add heat.

So, if you were to eat raw cannabis flower, you wouldn't feel the typical psychoactive effects, no high, except the potential wellness benefits. But once you smoke it, vape it, or cook with it, the magic happens. The heat kicks off a process called decarboxylation (more on that shortly), and all the familiar euphoria and relaxation feelings kick in.

Key Takeaways

• THCa is non-intoxicating until heated – In its raw state, THCa won't cause a high because it can't effectively bind to CB1 cannabinoid receptors in your brain

• Heat transforms THCa into psychoactive THC – Smoking, vaping, or cooking cannabis triggers decarboxylation, converting THCa to delta-9 THC

• THCa is federally legal under the Farm Bill – Unlike THC, THCa flower derived from hemp plants falls within legal boundaries, though state laws may vary

• Drug tests detect THC metabolites – Once heated and consumed, THCa converts to THC, which will show up on standard drug tests

How Does THCa Turn Into a Psychoactive Compound?

When you apply heat, like when you smoke THCA flower by lighting up a joint or in a vaporizer, you trigger a chemical reaction called decarboxylation, which removes that acid group. The molecule then changes and THCa becomes the psychoactive thc we know and love.

It’s only when it’s decarboxylated that it becomes psychoactive. That’s why you can’t just eat raw cannabis buds and get high; you have to smoke them or bake them to decarb the THCa and unlock its full potential.

Decarboxylation Explained

The word decarboxylation might sound like a mouthful to many, so even though we’ve already covered it, let’s reiterate what it means to decarb weed.

Decarbing is the scientific term for using heat to remove a carboxyl group from THCa, converting it into the more active THC form. This is what gives you the desired recreational and therapeutic effects.

Curious to know the strength of your flower after decarbing? You’ll need to look at the product’s lab report, often called a Certificate of Analysis (COA), for the THC and THCa content. Here’s the formula to calculate the maximum potential THC:

Total Potential THC = (THCa Percentage × 0.877) + THC Percentage

Why the 0.877 multiplier? Because when the carboxyl group is removed during decarboxylation the THCa molecule loses some mass. This formula gives you the most accurate picture of your THCa flower’s final potency.

Common Ways To Get High With THCa: Consumption Methods

By now, we have learnt that THCA gets you high if you heat it and why decarbing matters. Now let's jump in and learn the most popular ways to convert THCa products to THC and experience the effects:

• Smoking – This is the most common method and is no different to smoking dispensary grade weed. Rolling THCa flower into a joint or packing it into a bowl and lighting up instantly decarboxylates the cannabinoids, and you’ll feel the effects right away.

• Vaping – Vaping THCa flower or concentrates is a smoother, potentially less harsh experience than smoking. The controlled heat from vaporizing converts THCa into psychoactive THC while preserving more of those tasty terpenes.

• Edibles – If you like gummies or baked goods, you can make your own edibles. The first step is always to decarb your cannabis flower in the oven (usually around 240°F for 30-40 minutes), to activate the THC before infusing it into butter or oil. Edible effects take longer to kick in but last way longer than smoking.

• Dabbing – Using a dab rig or dab pens for THCa concentrates is potent and fast-acting. Concentrates are super potent, and the high heat converts raw THCa to THC instantly, making this method popular among experienced users looking for intensity.

How is THCa Legal if it Causes a High?

Now you may be wondering, if THCa turns into THC, how on earth is it legal? It’s all thanks to a legal loophole in the 2018 Farm Bill.

The 2018 farm bill legalized hemp by removing it from the list of controlled substances. Hemp is any cannabis product containing no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. This allows for legal cultivation and shipping across many states.

To keep things above board, high-quality THCa flower is cultivated to have a very high THCa content and harvested early so that the Delta-9 THC level stays below this legal 0.3% threshold at the point of sale.

Once heated, it may act just like THC — but legally, it’s still hemp.

However, keep in mind that state laws can differ. Some states have banned THCA by implementing a total THC testing requirement (which includes THC + THCA after decarboxylation). So, it’s always wise to check your local regulations before making a purchase.

THCa vs THC: The Difference

You may now already have an idea of how THCA and THC differ.

To be blunt, the only real difference between THCA and THC is that THC has one extra carboxyl molecule on the THCA molecule. We've already seen how that changes when THCA gets heated - that little CO2 molecule drops off and tada! It becomes THC.

Another difference worth noting is that THCA is currently federally legal while THC remains a controlled substance. As such, THCA provides a brilliant alternative to states with no legal state recreational programs to order THCA products online and experience all the benefits of THC( after heating).

FAQs:

Will I test positive if I smoke THCA?

Yes. When you smoke THCa, it converts to THC and produces THC metabolites in your body that standard drug tests are designed to detect.

How Does THCA Get You High When Heated?

Heating THCa removes its extra carboxyl group (decarboxylation), which changes its molecular structure into Delta-9 THC, allowing it to bind with cannabinoid receptors in your brain and produce psychoactive effects.

Does consuming raw cannabis with THCA produce a high?

No, consuming raw cannabis or raw THCa is non-intoxicating because the THCa has not been decarboxylated into THC.

Is THCA the same as Delta 9?

They are not the same, but they are directly related. THCa is the acidic precursor to Delta-9 THC. You can't have Delta-9 THC without THCa first.

How is THCA flower made?

THCa flower is cultivated just like regular cannabis, but harvested early before the THCA starts to decarb to delta 9 THC to stay compliant with the Farm Bill's requirement of hemp containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC.

Where To Buy THCa online?

For high-quality, lab-tested THCa products, you've come to the right place. Here at Super Greens Hemp Co., we offer a curated selection of premium THCa flower and other cannabis products that are federally compliant and shipped fast and discreetly nationwide.

Is THCa flower legal?

The THCa flower we sell here at Super Greens Hemp Co. is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill because it is derived from hemp and contains less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. However, we always recommend checking your specific state laws, as regulations can vary.

Does THCa have side effects?

In its raw form, THCa is not known to have significant side effects. However, once it is converted into THC, it carries all the potential side effects of THC, which can include dry mouth, red eyes, paranoia, or anxiety, especially at high doses.