THC vs. THCa: What’s a High THCa Percentage?

Most people are familiar with cannabis now that a vast majority of the stigma has been removed. Even recreational use has met much less resistance in many places, and understanding the plant and its many uses has never been easier. But even with acceptance on the rise, there is still a lot to learn, even for seasoned cannabis fans. Things like THC vs. THCa percentages might be confusing for people not familiar with the industry. 

Understanding what sets different strains apart has become more involved. One of the most often researched topics is how strong strains are compared to others. In this guide, we hope to clear some confusion surrounding the strength of cannabinoids to help you determine the kind of THC percentage you’d prefer. 

Key Takeaways:

• THCa is the precursor form to THC, so while they’re different, they’re also the same.
• Through heat, THCa converts into delta-9 THC, providing a euphoric experience.
• A high THCa percentage often exceeds 25%, with some strains breaching above 30%.

 

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THC vs. THCa: What’s the Difference?

Some cannabis compounds are extremely similar in makeup and might even affect the same areas of the endocannabinoid system, further muddying the conversation surrounding them. 

One of the most prevalent examples is misunderstandings surrounding THC and THCa. 

Even though these two compounds both have THC in their names, they are not the same. An entire chemical process affects their percentage content and how your body interacts with them.

Chemical Differences

The most important thing to understand about cannabinoids is that most undergo a chemical reaction either within the body or before entering it. This change alters the cannabinoid’s chemical composition and impacts how we absorb it. 

THCa vs.THC are some of the best examples to use here, thanks to their extremely different interactions with the endocannabinoid system. 

First, THCa is a precursor to THC in the chemical chain. The only difference is a slight change in how its molecules are arranged. 

That seemingly tiny change completely changes how these two compounds work. THCa, if extracted and used without changing to THC, cannot cause any intoxicating effects. What it does seem to do, however, is help with issues such as pain relief and even nausea. 

When THCa is heated, the chemical chain loses a carboxylic acid group (COOH) attached to the structure. Without this addition, the newly formed THC can be much more potent to us.

Once this change happens, THC becomes highly intoxicating and produces the full range of psychoactive effects it is well known for.

In short, heat activates THCa, transforming it into THC. So, that THCa flower of ours with a lighter? Well, you can do the math there.

Legality of THC vs. THCa

The difference between THC and THCa plays a significant role in their legal status, and each state has a different stance on them.

While THC is a natural result of THCa’s chemical change, the way they interact with the body couldn’t be more opposite. 

For some states, that can be the difference between legal and illegal, especially if the THCa is cultivated from hemp plants in their naturally low doses. 

Regardless of where THCa is harvested, it is smart to check your state and local laws to ensure it is allowed. Rules regulating THCa based on how it is harvested or outright banning it may exist, so it’s better to play it safe and double-check.

Federally, though, THCa is legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. Our THCa products (and even our delta-9 THC products, for that matter) all contain 0.3% delta-9 THC or less on a dry-weight basis. That means our products are federally legal, even if they’re not recognized as such in all 50 states.

Does THCa Get You High?

The short answer is yes, THCa can get you high – but only if you heat it to activate the cannabinoids first. In its raw and base form, THCa cannot get you high. The effects change once it goes through decarboxylation. 

Put a flame to it, and you’ve transformed the THCa into THC. Decarboxylation removes the extra carboxylic acid group from the chemical chain, unlocks its full potential, and converts it to delta-9 THC. 

Once THCa has been activated, the percentage amount in the strain becomes very important. The impact will vary greatly depending on its raw amount. For example, there’s a noticeable difference in the effects from a 10% THCa strain versus a strain with 20% THCa.

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Is 25% THCa good? Is it a lot?

Understanding percentages when it comes to cannabis compounds can quickly become overwhelming for those new to the game. Things like CBD, THCa, delta-8, and others’ names attached to numbers can make picking the right strain difficult. 

But even so, there are a few things to keep in mind. Knowing your desired effects can make all the difference when assessing a strain’s overall strength. 

People looking for the intoxicating effects of cannabis need to understand how strong their options are. A strain containing a THCa level of around 10-15% would be considered middle strength, whereas a strain with 25-30% would be considered a high amount. 

Our THCa flower strains often exceed 25% THCa, with many cresting past 30%. It makes them potent choices for any experience level.

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Is Delta-8 Stronger than THCa?

Delta-8 is a milder form of THC compared to the THC that THCa transforms into once it’s decarboxylated. 

Delta-8 THC is considered more mellow than THCa. That is dependent on a caveat, however. Delta-8 THC is already in a psychoactive form, meaning it is ready to deliver its full effect.  

Once THCa is converted to THC, it becomes a much more potent compound than delta-8 THC. Once it’s converted, delta-8 is about half as potent as delta-9.

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Is THC Stronger than THCa?

THCa is the precursor form of THC. That means that once it goes through a heating process, it becomes delta-9 THC. In its base form, the human body does not absorb it in the way that causes intoxicating effects. But outside of extracting and using THCa directly, there aren’t many ways to achieve this. 

That’s why we don’t offer many THCa options outside our flower, THCa diamonds, and THCa disposables. Each of these products goes through a heating phase before they’re consumed. Otherwise, our converted delta-9 THC products offer a legal alternative, as they remain under the 0.3% maximum on a dry-weight basis.

Once THCa has been converted, the impact is clear and abundant since the new molecule can cause psychoactive effects. 

So, it isn’t a matter of one being stronger than the other. THCa becomes THC, which makes it a strong, potent option for many consumers.