What is THCa vs. THC? Differences & Which is Stronger

THC-what?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is a naturally occurring cannabinoid in the hemp plant. Unlike THC, it is not psychoactive and will not get you high. 

THCa has many potential therapeutic benefits, but most people never consume it. That’s because it converts to THC when heated through a process called decarboxylation – all cannabis/hemp flower is really THCa flower, but the THCa converts to THC before you inhale it. Without THCa, THC can’t exist. 

While THCa can become THC, it can actually do much more: THCa has a variety of benefits and effects. In this article, we’ll discuss them while giving you a full breakdown of THCa vs. THC. 

What is THCa?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is one of the 100-plus naturally occurring cannabinoids that are found in the cannabis/hemp plant.

THCa is the chemical precursor to delta 9 THC (THC). In other words, all THC is just a converted form of THCa.

Unlike THC (and its isomers, like delta 8 THC and HHC), THCa will not create a head high. Instead, it renders a very mild mental effect.

What is THC?

Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is also of the 100-plus cannabinoids naturally found in the cannabis/hemp plant. 

THC is well-known for the head high it produces because of its dominant presence in many strains of cannabis. However, THC is also found in hemp – the federally legal version of cannabis – and it’s the same thing. 

While THC’s high makes it enjoyable for recreational purposes, it’s also been researched for a variety of therapeutic uses. Most of the research looks at medical cannabis in general, but THC is a major piece of the puzzle. 

THCa vs. THC: Key Differences

THCa and THC differ in three primary ways: their origin, their strength/effects, and their side effects. 

Origin in hemp

The basic difference between THCa and THC is where they come from. 

THCa is found in live hemp plants, while THC isn’t. For THCa to become THC, it must be decarboxylated – heated – so that it loses its acid ring. 

And to have a frame of reference for this, you must know another cannabinoid: cannabigerolic acid (CBGa). 

CBGa is the cannabinoid from which all other cannabinoids are derived. It’s found in young hemp plants. 

As the hemp plant matures, most of the CBGa that is initially present is converted into THCa, CBDa, CBCa, and CBG. Therefore, THC is not found in live plants. Rather, it’s produced naturally when THCa is decarboxylated. 

Strength

THC is far more potent than THCa — it can be thought of as the “activated” form of THC. It’s psychoactive, while THCa isn’t.

THC creates a head high punctuated by feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Some people also report heightened sensory perception, an altered perception of time, and an increase in appetite after consuming THC.

THCa, on the other hand, creates very few noticeable effects — you won’t really “feel” it if you use it in an edible or other product. Some people have noted slight feelings of energy or drowsiness after using it, but these effects aren’t consistent across users.

Instead, THCa contributes to physical and mental health in other ways, which we cover in the “Benefits of THCa” section below.

Side effects

THCa and THC are both safe to consume, and research suggests they may have therapeutic benefits. However, they may also cause some adverse effects. 

THCa’s side effects aren’t well-researched. However, anecdotal evidence suggests THCa may cause some people to feel drowsy or tired while causing others to feel energized.

Potential side effects of THC include:

• Anxiety
• Dry mouth
• Memory loss
• Difficulty thinking and speaking
• Red eyes
• Delayed reaction time
• Heart rate increases
• Increased appetite

There is more potential downside to using THC than THCa – by far. Still, most of these side effects can be reduced or negated through proper THC dosage. 

The Conversion: How THCa Becomes THC

It’s well known that THC is what makes cannabis flower (whether from hemp or marijuana) psychoactive — THC is the cannabinoid responsible for the euphoric head high experience. 

However, live cannabis plants don’t contain any THC. Instead, they contain tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa), which itself comes from CBGa that breaks down as the plant grows. 

THCa can then turn into THC through a process called decarboxylation.

In decarboxylation, THCa loses its acid group, becoming the neutralized version of itself, THC (a similar conversion also happens when CBDa becomes CBD). 

The decarboxylation process happens to a small degree during the storage of cannabis. However, it primarily occurs whenever the plant is heated — this is how prerolls, vapes, dab rigs, and other methods of inhaling THC work. 

When heated, the THCa becomes THC, and its psychoactive properties are “activated.” So what you consume when you smoke THCa flower is THC.

In products like gummies and drinks, where no heating occurs during consumption, the THCa is decarboxylated and turned into THC before adding it to the product. 

This step can also be skipped to keep THCa in its original state, allowing you to consume raw THCa in gummies, tinctures, and similar products. 

What is a Good THCa Percentage?

Some dispensaries classify flower strains by their THCa level, rather than their THC level. But since THCa becomes THC when burned, the THCa level is the THC level — minus a few percent to account for the conversion.

Potent, high-quality flower typically contains 15-25% THC, so look for strains with similar levels of THCa.

In general, be sure to ask the budtender (or the company, if you’re buying online) how to read and understand the potency of the various strains for sale. 

Benefits of THCa

Preliminary research and anecdotal evidence indicate that THCa, despite having no psychoactive effects, may offer therapeutic effects in a variety of areas:

• Relaxation: Anecdotal evidence suggests THCa may promote mental calming and relaxation without the psychoactive effects that THC has.
• Inflammation: In a 2017 study published in the journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, THCa was found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects [1]. 
• Neuroprotective properties: A 2017 study from researchers in Spain and Italy found that THCa has potential neuroprotective properties. The researchers stated that THCa should be studied further as a treatment for neurodegenerative disorders [2].
• Seizures: A 2017 research review noted that THCa has shown anticonvulsant (anti-seizure) activity in several studies [3]. 

Benefits of THC

THC’s effects and “high” are well known. However, it can do more than just get you high — research and anecdotal evidence suggest THC has a variety of potential therapeutic uses:

• Stress & Anxiety: Research on THC for anxiety shows that it may either be beneficial or detrimental, depending on how much you take. A Yale School of Medicine study found that THC may exert anxiety-reducing effects at smaller doses [4]. Larger doses may cause anxiety. 
• Pain: Several studies have indicated that THC has potential analgesic (pain-reducing) properties, which may be due in part to its psychoactive effects [5]. 
• Nausea: In a  2010 study from a major research institute in Barcelona, Spain, a THC:CBD mix exerted antiemetic (anti-nausea and vomiting) effects. The study stated that THC should be further studied for use with chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting [6].
• Sleep: Anecdotally, THC may promote restful sleep through its euphoric, relaxing effects. In a 2022 study by three Australian researchers, medical cannabis improved both the duration and quality of sleep [7]. 
• Appetite: THC’s ability to stimulate appetite is the origin of the term “munchies,” which refers to the feeling of hunger you get after smoking cannabis. However, researchers have investigated this effect formally, too, for therapeutic use. A 1994 study by the Cleveland Clinic found that THC may have appetite-stimulating properties [8]. 

THCa vs. THC: How They Work in the Body

Cannabinoids like THCa and THC work via your body’s Endocannabinoid System (ECS), a receptor system responsible for regulating many vital functions, including sleep, mood, inflammatory response, and body temperature.

The ECS’s primary function is to keep your mind and body in a state of balance.

There are two main receptor types in your ECS: 

• CB1 receptors, which, when stimulated, render mental, or “head” effects
• CB2 receptors, which, when stimulated, render physical, or “body” effects

THC binds strongly to CB1 receptors, thereby rendering potent psychoactive effects. THCa doesn’t bind as intensely to these receptors, so it doesn’t produce the same “high” feeling.

Instead, THCa likely renders its benefits by supporting your ECS in other ways — more research on how THCa is necessary to fully understand its mechanism of action.

How to Use THCa and THC: Product Types & Dosage

THCa and THC are both available in many of the same forms. Just remember that THCa flowers, vapes, and other smokable products are actually THC products, because the THCa in them turns to THC when heated. 

Edibles

Bioavailability: 10-20%

Onset Time: About 1 hour

The most common type of edible is a gummy, although you’ll also find candy, brownies, and other options out there. The upside of edibles is that they taste great and offer a fixed dose.

Capsules

Bioavailability: 10-20%

Onset Time: About 1 hour

Capsules, like edibles, offer a fixed-dose consumption method for THCa and THC.

Oil

Bioavailability: 20-30%

Onset Time: 15-20 minutes

Oils are a very potent THCa or THC delivery method because they can be taken under the tongue and swallowed, rather than having to pass through the digestive system as an edible would.

For therapeutic purposes, oils are also a great option because they allow you to customize your dose down to the drop.

Vapes & Flower

Bioavailability: 30-50%

Onset Time: 5-10 minutes

Vapes and flower, like oils, are a higher-potency delivery method. They deliver cannabinoids to your body through the lungs, rather than the digestive system.

However, remember that THCa vapes and flower aren’t giving your body THCa — they’re giving your body THC. So these options are not true THCa delivery methods. 

THCa vs. THC: Legality

The 2018 Farm Bill made all hemp-derived cannabinoids federally legal. Hemp is defined as cannabis containing 0.3% THC or less, by dry weight.

However, THC has been made illegal in some states. The legality of THCa isn’t as clear, but if THC is illegal in your state, THCa likely is, too (and vice versa if THC is legal).

With this in mind, here are the states where THC is legal, as well as the states where it’s illegal or restricted:

States Where Hemp-Derived THC is Legal

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

States Where Hemp-Derived THC is Illegal or Restricted

• California
• Idaho
• North Dakota
• Mississippi
• Colorado
• Kentucky
• Pennsylvania 
• Vermont

THCa vs. THC on Drug Tests

Both THCa and THC will show up on drug tests.

THC is screened for due to its presence in marijuana, which is illegal in many states. THCa, on the other hand, is sometimes used as the target analyte for THC (meaning that the drug test looks for THCa to determine whether you’ve been consuming THC).

Therefore, we recommend avoiding THCa and THC products if you have a drug test coming up. Instead, consider opting for a Broad Spectrum CBD or CBD Isolate product.

Conclusion: Is THCa Worth a Try?

You might have been wondering why your dispensary keeps talking about THCa levels when they should be talking about the THC levels. Or maybe you were just curious. Either way, you now know the difference between THCa and THC. 

Learn more: THC-O vs. Delta 9

Learn more: THCa vs. Delta 8

THCa vs. THC: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers commonly ask us about the differences between THCa and THC.

What is the difference between THC and THCa?

THC and THCa are both cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid that produces the high effects commonly associated with using cannabis, while THCa is the non-psychoactive precursor to THC that is converted to THC when heated (this process is known as decarboxylation).

What percent of THCa is high?

The conversion of THCa to THC is not exact, but generally, most of the THCa that exists in a plant before it’s decarboxylated is converted to THC. Strains containing 15-25% THCa are generally considered to be high in THC.

What is different about THCa?

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the acidic version of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THCa will not create psychoactive effects by itself, but it is converted to THC when heated. THC will create the “high” effect. The difference between the two cannabinoids is the additional carboxyl ring in THCa.

What type of high is THCa?

Unlike THC, THCa will not produce a high when consumed in its raw form. Instead, THCa’s effects are mostly rendered in terms of physical benefits. THCa, whether consumed in raw cannabis flower or an extract, will not produce the high commonly associated with smoking marijuana or hemp.

Is THCa as potent as THC?

Unlike THC, THCa is not potent and will not render any psychoactive effects. However, THCa is converted to THC when heated, as when THCa flower is smoked.

Sources

[1] Nallathambi, Rameshprabu et al. “Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Colon Models Is Derived from Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid That Interacts with Additional Compounds in Cannabis Extracts.” Cannabis and cannabinoid research vol. 2,1 167-182. 1 Jul. 2017, doi:10.1089/can.2017.0027

[2] Nadal, Xavier et al. “Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a potent PPARγ agonist with neuroprotective activity.” British journal of pharmacology vol. 174,23 (2017): 4263-4276. doi:10.1111/bph.14019

[3] Perucca, Emilio. “Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Epilepsy: Hard Evidence at Last?.” Journal of epilepsy research vol. 7,2 61-76. 31 Dec. 2017, doi:10.14581/jer.17012

[4] Lichenstein, Sarah D. “THC, CBD, and Anxiety: A review of recent findings on the anxiolytic and anxiogenic effects of cannabis’ primary cannabinoids.” Current addiction reports vol. 9,4 (2022): 473-485. doi:10.1007/s40429-022-00450-7

[5] Bains S, Mukhdomi T. Medicinal Cannabis for Treatment of Chronic Pain. [Updated 2022 Dec 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK574562/

[6] Duran, Marta et al. “Preliminary efficacy and safety of an oromucosal standardized cannabis extract in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.” British journal of clinical pharmacology vol. 70,5 (2010): 656-63. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2010.03743.x

[7] Ried, Karin et al. “Medicinal cannabis improves sleep in adults with insomnia: a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study.” Journal of sleep research vol. 32,3 (2023): e13793. doi:10.1111/jsr.13793

[8] Nelson, K et al. “A phase II study of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol for appetite stimulation in cancer-associated anorexia.” Journal of palliative care vol. 10,1 (1994): 14-8.