If you’ve ever looked at a cannabis product label and wondered what all those numbers and letters are, you’re not alone. All of the information can get confusing fast, including the separate sections for THC and THCa percentage. If you’re wondering what’s considered a high THCa percentage, we’ll go over this and more in this article. 

What is a THCa percentage?

The THCa percentage listed on a product label indicates how much tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is present in a given product. You can generally use this number to gauge how strong the effects will be. 

But it’s not quite the same as the THC percentage listed on a label. When you see THC listed, you can quickly determine how potent the product is. But THCa is a little bit different. Here’s why:

THCa is the acid precursor to THC. On its own, THCa is not intoxicating. When THCa is heated up (such as smoking, vaping, or baking) it converts into THC. 

But the conversion process includes a bit of loss. When THCa converts to THC, it generally does so at a rate of about 87%, meaning you lose about 13% of the potency. 

With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at what’s considered a high THCa percentage.

What is a high THCa percentage?

What’s considered a high THCa percentage is entirely dependent on the product type. When it comes to THCa flower, a high percentage is generally anythi ng with more than 20% THCa. Most of our THCa flower falls above this 20% threshold, classifying much of our product catalog as high THCa flower. 

THCa concentrates require a much larger number to be considered a high THCa product. Concentrates with more than 70% THCa are generally considered to have a high THCa percentage. Most of our THCa concentrates fall into this category, too. 

As for THCa vapes, anything with 85% THCa or more is considered a high THCa product. Many of our THCa vapes fall into this category. 

Are high THCa products as strong as high THC products?

One of the most common questions we hear relates to THCa potency compared to THC potency. Is a high THCa product as potent as a high THC product?

The answer depends on your usage. On its own, THCa can’t get you high. It’s a non-intoxicating compound. So if you’re comparing raw THCa to raw THC, THC is the clear winner because it’s the only one that can get you high. 

But that’s not how most people use THCa these days. When THCa is heated up, it converts to THC. Most people who look at THCa percentages do so to gauge how strong a product will be after the THCa is activated and converted to THC. 

THCa has the potential to be just as potent as THC, so long as it’s heated up. 

Fortunately, users don’t need to do a lot of math when deciding how strong a THCa product is. Most THCa edibles and other products are labeled with all the required calculations already complete. 

For example, our 200 mg rosin gummies have 20 mg of THC per serving. Although they are made with non-intoxicating THCa, we have already done the math to calculate how much THC exists in the product once it’s been heated and activated. That’s why the label lists the dosage in THC, rather than THCa. 

What are the highest THCa products available?

If you want to find a THCa product with the highest potency, you’ll want to go for THCa concentrates. These can range from concentrate-filled vapes to THCa badder and THCa rosin. Depending on the specific product, these options can range from 70 to nearly 100% THCa. They’re not recommended for beginners. 

THCa flower can range from very low percentages to more than 30% THCa. Unless additional concentrates have been added, THCa flower almost never exceeds the THCa percentage present in concentrates. 

THCa gummies can vary widely in their dosage, with 10 mg of THC as a common standard dose. 

Should I shop for a high THCa percentage?

Some people are strictly searching for the highest THCa percentages on the market. While this method works well for some users, many others have better luck shopping by desired effect. 

A high THCa percentage is likely to get you higher than other products, but it’s not everything. There are other compounds present in the plant, such as terpenes and other cannabinoids, that all contribute to the overall effectiveness of a product. 

New or inconsistent users should avoid shopping by high THCa percentage. Products with high levels of THCa can trigger anxiety, paranoia, and other unpleasant side effects associated with getting too high. 

We often recommend new or inexperienced users avoid high THCa percentages and instead play around with their dose using a lower THCa option. For example, rather than eating a 100 mg THCa gummy, you might want to try a 5 mg and slowly work your way up (taking multiple as needed) until you find the desired effect. 

Are products with a high THCa percentage legal?

Products with high THCa percentages are perfectly legal, so long as they follow the guidelines set forth in the 2018 Farm Bill. Put simply, if a THCa product contains less than 0.3% THC, it’s federally legal. 

When THCa products contain less than 0.3% THC, they’re considered hemp in the eyes of the law, even though the THCa converts to intoxicating THC when activated. 

Since all of our products contain high levels of THCa but less than 0.3% THC, they are federally legal and can be sold online, even in states without recreational cannabis. 

Should any THCa product contain more than 0.3% THC, it would be considered cannabis and need to be sold in a licensed dispensary. 

How to select the best high THCa percentage products

Since THCa products are not regulated like other cannabis products, consumers should always opt for brands that offer lab testing. This is an easy way to ensure that your product is free of any contaminants or impurities and actually contains what the label promises. 

If you can’t find lab test results easily, look for a different brand that makes them easy to find. THCa brands that don’t offer lab test results should be looked at with scrutiny, as there’s no other way to ensure the product is safe and free of dangerous impurities. 

When deciding what kind of high THCa percentage product you want to use, consider the consumption method. If you’re someone who likes the act of smoking or inhaling something, you’ll probably enjoy using THCa pre rolls, THCa flower, or THCa vapes. 

If you prefer to take dabs, go for THCa concentrates like rosin and badder. And if you want a smoke-free experience, opt for THCa edibles. 

The bottom line: high THCA percentages 

Next time you find yourself looking at product labels with THC and THCA percentages, remember this: THCA converts to THC when heated up, at a rate of about 87%. A high product with a THCA percentage won’t get you high until it’s been activated with heat, such as a lighter or through the baking process. 

Products with high THCA percentages are federally legal because THCA on its own is not intoxicating. When shopping for high THCA percentages online, be sure to look for a company that offers transparent lab testing and adheres to all federal regulations.