If you’ve ever consumed cannabis, you probably already know that the major players in the cannabis plant are the family of compounds known as “cannabinoids,” mainly THC and CBD. But what many people don’t know is that these natural chemicals also have precursor cannabinoids—THC’s precursor is THCA, and it’s a cannabinoid you’re going to be hearing about a lot more in the coming years.
Why is it gaining so much popularity? If you’re interested in taking advantage of this unusual but crucial cannabinoid, you’re in the right place. Take a deep dive and get all your burning questions answered, including:
- What is THCA?
- What does THCA do?
- Is THCA legal?
…and much more! Ready to roll? We’ve got you covered.
What Is THCA?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid—or THCA—is the chemical precursor to THC, the compound most responsible for the cannabis plant’s euphoric high. The “A” signifies that it’s chemically an acid, and it’s produced by the cannabis plant through a complex series of enzymatic reactions. What’s interesting about it is that, unlike THC, it’s not psychoactive or intoxicating, though it still harbors many potential benefits. However, since it doesn’t actually contain THC outright, THCA exists in a legal grey area.
When THCA undergoes the process known as decarboxylation, it instantly converts to the intoxicating THC. Compared with THC, THCA has a feature known as a carboxyl ring. On the molecular level, the carboxyl ring prevents it from binding with the CB1 receptors in our endocannabinoid system, which means that when consumed as-is, it can’t produce psychoactive effects until it has been exposed to a heat source through decarboxylation.
Learn more about THCA’s relationship to THC.
What Does THCA Do?
Even if THCA doesn’t readily bind to our CB1 receptors until it’s decarboxylated, that’s not to say it’s not doing anything for us. Though it’s not psychoactive, THCA has been linked with some intriguing potential benefits, including:
- Being a potential anti-inflammatory
- Exhibiting anti-nausea effects
- Impacting the body’s metabolism
- There are also early indications that—like CBD—THCA may help control certain seizures
Like other unique cannabinoids, such as CBG and CBN, THCA is undergoing new research as cannabis, in general, is continually legalized across the US and beyond.
Is THCA Psychoactive?
The short answer? No, THCA does not appear to have psychoactive effects, but keep in mind the difference between “psychoactive” and “intoxicating.”
A substance that is psychoactive has some effect on our mood, perception, or consciousness. By comparison, a substance that is intoxicating alters our ability to function. You could think of an intoxicant as being “ultra-psychoactive,” though there’s a legal definition wrapped up in there as well. That’s why it’s not illegal to drive a car under the influence of psychoactive (but non-intoxicating) CBD or caffeine, while it is definitely illegal to drive under the influence of intoxicating THC.
With that in mind, let’s return to the question, “Is THCA psychoactive?” It’s not on its own, but when it undergoes decarboxylation, that changes things in a major way.
Does Smoking THCA Convert It to THC?
Remember the carboxyl ring we referenced a moment ago? When THCA undergoes the chemical reaction known as decarboxylation, it instantly converts to THC. So, if you’ve ever put a match to a bowl or a joint, you’ve already decarboxylated cannabis almost instantly!
Is THCA Safe to Smoke?
If you’re concerned about THCA being an “unknown quantity” or a cannabinoid that’s not fully understood, let us put that fear to rest. Again, if you’ve ever smoked or vaped cannabis before, you’ve already consumed THCA safely. It’s just that the form it converts to—THC—is far better known than THCA.
Does THCA Show Up on Drug Tests?
When it comes to drug tests, we’re in a “yes and no” situation for THCA. The question really boils down to: Are you consuming THCA in the form of raw cannabis flower or decarbing it by smoking it?
It’s possible that just consuming THCA without decarboxylating it could appear on a test. However, if you’re smoking or vaping THCA, remember that it’s being automatically converted to THC, which will definitely show up on a drug test. As for THCA, the most current science suggests that it probably will, so be cautious and refrain from consuming any THCA if you have a test coming up.
Is THCA Legal?
THCA falls into an unusual legal gray area. In cannabis-legal states, there’s no issue with THCA when it comes from cannabis plants. Elsewhere, it can get confusing. Why? While THCA converts to THC when decarboxylated, it doesn’t actually contain any THC on its own, which opens up an avenue for the sale of THCA derived from hemp flower in non-legal states.
So long as it contains 0.3% THC or less, THCA is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Still, certain states are less lenient towards THCA than others. If you want to know if THCA is legal where you live, it’s best to check your local state laws first.
Explore THCA and More at Mission
As a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, THCA doesn’t get a lot of press, but it’s slowly gaining popularity across the cannabis market. It’s a crucial chemical precursor, and once it undergoes the simple chemical reaction called decarboxylation, it becomes THC, arguably the most important cannabinoid and the one most responsible for the cannabis plant’s intoxicating high.
Want to convert some THCA into THC? Start by heading to your local Massachusetts or Illinois Mission dispensary, where you’ll find a huge selection of quality flower, ready to be packed into bowls, joints, or used for potent homemade edibles.
Ready to take your cannabis knowledge to the next level? Check out our cannabis blog, where you’ll find in-depth guides on topics like how to use a weed grinder, the difference between live resin and distillate, and so much more. Happy reading!
