THCA vs THC Percentages

THCA vs THC Percentages: Which one is Stronger?

If you’ve ever checked the label on your cannabis product and wondered why the THCA percentage is high but the THC is low, you’re not alone! Many first-time users of THCA flower, carts, gummies, and concentrates find this comparison confusing.

So, which measurement reflects the actual potency of your product?

This article will help you understand how to read THCA vs THC percentages. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to make informed choices for your cannabis experience.

Let’s dive in!

THCA vs THC: What’s the Difference?

Before we get into too many details, let’s start by understanding what THCA is and how it differs from THC.

THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the raw form of THC found in the cannabis plant. The difference between THCA and THCA is that THCA is non-psychoactive in its raw form, meaning consuming raw cannabis won’t get you high.

This is because THCA has an additional carboxyl group, which blocks it from effectively binding to the CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system, which is needed for your body to reap the potential benefits of THC.

To transform THCA into THC, you’ll need to apply some heat. This process, known as decarboxylation, takes place when you smoke, vaporize, or bake cannabis. By removing that carboxyl group, THCA converts into the psychoactive THC that produces sensations of euphoria, relaxation, and yes, even the munchies.

Why THCa Percentage Is Usually Higher?

As we’ve said, THCA is the dominant cannabinoid in freshly harvested cannabis flower. It must be heated for the psychoactive cannabinoid THC to become active.

This is crucial for legality and has shaped the modern cannabis industry.

What do I mean?

For THCA flower to be considered a legal hemp-derived product under the 2018 Farm Bill, its delta-9 THC content must be below 0.3% by dry weight.

Lab tests are typically conducted within 30 days before harvest. At this point, the raw cannabis mainly contains high THCA, with very little of it having naturally decarboxylated to THC. That’s why test results for THCA products like hemp flower show a high THCA percentage and only trace amounts of delta-9 THC.

So, the THCA percentage is the best indicator of how strong your flower or other THCA smokables will be. A higher THCA content means a high THC content after conversion. Thus, the more potent the intoxicating effects can be.

THCa vs. THC Percentage: How to Read Lab Reports

How to Read THCa Lab Reports

When purchasing from Super Greens, you can view the lab results on this page or by scanning the QR code located on the back of your package. The lab report has all the info you need (including terpenes, other cannabinoids like CBD, etc.). Still, for this discussion, we are only interested in the THCA and THC percentages.

Remember what we’ve said:

  • THCA %: Shows the potential THC content that can be released through decarbing(heating).

  • Delta-9 THC% %: Shows the current amount of active THC in the product. This must be below 0.3% for hemp compliance.

To calculate the potential Total THC after heating yourself, use this formula:

  • Total THC = THCa × 0.877 + THC

Why 0.877? This multiplier accounts for the weight of the carboxyl group that is lost during the decarboxylation process. 

Let’s take one of our customer-favorite strains, Pink Rozay Smalls, as an example. According to its lab report, it has:

  • THCA Percentage: 24.70%

  • Delta-9 THC Percentage: 0.29%

To get the Total THC potential, we do the math:

  • (24.70 × 0.877) + 0.29 = 21.95% total THC (approximately)

And just like that, you know this flower has the potential to deliver a 21.95% THC experience! Learning how to read this is essential, especially for accurately dosing homemade edibles and tinctures or managing your personal consumption method.

What are Strains with a High THCA Percentage?

What are Strains with a High THCA Percentage?

There are cannabis strains that fall within the 20–30% THCA range. They are a favorite for users looking for strong effects of THC.

At Super Greens, we pride ourselves on a curated collection of top-shelf, lab-tested hemp flower.

Some of our most popular hard-hitting strains include:

Ready to explore high-THCA strains that are organically grown and lab-tested? Browse Super Greens’ full collection of budget THCA smalls or premium THCA flower!

FAQS:

Does THCA Get You High?

Raw THCA is non-psychoactive. It must be heated (decarboxylated) to convert into the psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9 THC to produce a ‘high’.

How Does THCA Produce THC?

The process that changes THCA into THC is called decarboxylation. When you heat THCA by smoking, vaping, or baking, it loses an acid group known as a carboxyl group and becomes delta-9 THC.

Is 30% THCA strong?

Yes, 30% THCA is very strong for a cannabis flower.

What’s the Difference Between THC and Total THC?

THC refers to the active delta-9 THC that’s already in the product. On the other hand, Total THC counts both the THCA that could convert to THC and any existing THC. You can figure out Total THC by using the formula: Total THC = (THCA × 0.877) + THC.

How does THCA percentage affect the overall THC potency?

The higher your THCA content, the higher the total THC levels after decarboxylation — leading to more potent effects of THC like relaxation, euphoria, or sedation.

What Temperature Offers the Best Conversion Rate for THCa to THC?

For optimal conversion from THCA to THC, it’s ideal to heat it to between 220-245°F (about 105-118°C) for around 30 to 40 minutes.

Will THCA or THC show in a drug test?

Yes, they can. When you heat THCA, it turns into THC. Standard drug tests look for THC metabolites, not THCA, so consuming THCA can still lead to a positive result on a drug test.

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