If you’ve dipped your toe into the world of cannabis—or visited one of our Massachusetts and Illinois dispensaries—you probably know that the major “active ingredients” in the cannabis plant are called the cannabinoids. And you probably know that the major one—delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol or more commonly THC—is the one most responsible for the plant’s psychoactive “high.”
But believe it or not, cannabis plants don’t actually produce a lot of THC. Instead, they make a precursor compound called THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), and as it turns out, it’s quite a big deal in the cannabis ecosystem.
What’s the difference between THC and THCA? THC is an intensely psychoactive and intoxicating cannabinoid, a natural compound that partners with our body to produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation, among other benefits.
By comparison, THCA is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that’s been linked with some intriguing potential benefits. But what’s most important to know in the context of using cannabis is that when it undergoes the chemical reaction known as decarboxylation, THCA instantly transforms into: You guessed it, THC. But because it doesn’t actually contain THC, THCA exists in an interesting legal grey area—a topic we’ll explore in greater detail in a moment.
There are some other important distinctions when it comes to THC vs THCA, and in today’s post we’re going to share everything we know about these two crucial cannabinoids.
Ready to roll? Let’s begin.
What Is THCA?
If you’ve ever shopped at a cannabis dispensary, you’ve probably noticed that every batch of cannabis flower, pack of pre-rolls, and tin of concentrates has a clearly marked THC content or percentage on its label. Because THC is such a crucial part of the cannabis experience and can have varying effects on people, state regulations require that consumers know just how much of the cannabinoid each product contains.
However, you may be surprised to learn that, despite what their labels say, many of these products don’t actually contain any THC at all! How is that possible? They actually contain THCA. While you may think that the frosty trichomes on cannabis flower contain the THC responsible for cannabis’ effects, in reality, that THC doesn’t even exist—at least not yet.
That’s because it’s still in its precursor form: THCA. THCA is short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and it’s the basic building block of THC. The extra “A” in the name signifies that it’s an acidic compound, and it’s produced by the cannabis plant through a complex series of enzymatic reactions. In fact, many cannabinoids—including CBD and CBG—have acidic precursors (in this case, CBDA and CBGA).
While the two compounds are similar, THCA has a feature known as a carboxyl ring. On the molecular level, it prevents the cannabinoid from binding with the CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system. This means that if it’s consumed in its raw state, it won’t produce any intoxicating effects.
THC vs THCA
So THCA is the chemical precursor to THC, but what does that actually mean? There are some important differences between THCA and THC, both in how they show up in living plants and how they impact our body and minds.
THC vs THCA In Flower
A moment ago, we pointed out that the cannabis plant doesn’t produce much THC. What they do produce is plenty of THCA. If there’s any THC present in raw cannabis, it’s because a proportion of THCA has been broken down by sunlight or the passage of time. One of the key differences between hemp and cannabis plants is the amount of THC present when they are tested. By law, hemp plants must contain no more than 0.3% Delta-9-THC by dry weight when tested before harvesting.
THCA, THC and Decarboxylation
To get THC from THCA, cannabis must undergo decarboxylation. This process effectively exposes THCA to heat, allowing it to break down into THC. One way to do this, when making edibles or tinctures at home for example, is by placing cannabis flower in an oven for a set amount of time and at a set temperature. Another way is by applying heat to cannabis plant matter with a vaporizer or a lighter.
In the first example, THCA is slowly converted into Delta-9-THC over time in the oven. In the second, the conversion takes place instantly when the lighter’s flame hits the plant matter. THCA also breaks down into THC at ambient temperatures over time and with exposure to light.
So…does THCA turn into Delta-9 when smoked? Yes! When THCA is exposed to sufficient heat—either through long, slow baking in an oven or through the high heat of a match or a lighter—that carboxyl ring is removed, and now the THCA has become THC. But that doesn’t mean that THCA is the same as Delta-9—as we’ve covered, THCA is the chemical precursor to Delta-9-THC.
THCA vs THC: Effects
If you’ve ever tried cannabis, you already know all about the effects of THC: The dreamy euphoria, the relaxing body high that melts away stress and strain, and—especially in sativa or sativa-leaning strains—the cerebral buzz that can lend clarity, focus, and a delightful creative spark.
What about THCA? Perhaps the most noticeable difference when comparing THC vs THCA is that if it’s consumed without being decarboxylated, it won’t have intoxicating effects. Of course, you probably wouldn’t want to do that. Consuming THCA in the form of raw cannabis flower isn’t that appealing and—anecdotally at least—it can cause stomach upset. If you’re interested in the cannabinoid’s potential therapeutic effects, you’d probably want to consume it in the form of a tincture or a tea.
THC vs THCA: Potential Benefits
If we can thank THC for the bulk of the cannabis plant’s delightful psychoactive effects, that’s not all it does for you. A robust number of studies suggest that THC has the potential to reduce pain, help you sleep, and impart a number of other useful effects.
Then there’s THCA. Even though the cannabinoid may not bind to our CB1 receptors, that’s not to say it’s not doing anything for us. While it’s not intoxicating, THCA has been linked with some intriguing potential benefits, including potent anti-inflammatory effects, relieving nausea, and modulating metabolism. Initial research is also exploring THCA’s impact on certain types of seizures.
The Difference Between THC and THCA: Wrapping Up
THC and THCA may look and sound similar, but while they’re closely related—THCA is the chemical precursor to THC—they’re also quite different in terms of their effects. THC, of course, is the cannabinoid most responsible for the cannabis plant’s psychoactive high, in addition to some very useful therapeutic effects such as relieving pain and nausea.
By way of comparison, THCA doesn’t have intoxicating effects. But when it undergoes the simple chemical reaction called decarboxylation, it’s instantly transformed into THC.
If you’re interested in trying THCA out for yourself, you could do so by using cannabis flower to infuse into a tea. Of course, those aren’t your only options. With growing consumer interest in THCA, you may be able to find this precursor to THC in specially formulated products such as edibles and tinctures.
At Mission, we’re on a mission to bring you the very best cannabis (and cannabis information). At our cannabis blog, you’ll find in-depth guides on topics like how to clean a glass pipe like a pro, plus specific strain guides and more. If you have any other questions visit one of our Massachusetts and Illinois dispensaries and ask your friendly budtender for help!
