What Is THC-A Flower - Weed Is Finally Legal!

Everything You Need To Know About THC-A Flower

With all the cannabinoids recently surfacing, it may be hard to keep up.

Unlike Delta 8 flower, HHC flower, and THC-O flower, THC-A flower is 100% natural and gets you just as high as the weed from the dispensary. 

What is THC-A - 

THC-A or THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and it is the precursor to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). When cannabis is growing it makes cannabinoids as carboxylic acids that most often convert into non-acidic compounds through a process called decarboxylation. Almost all cannabinoids start off in their acidic form which have differing structures and effects than that of their non-acidic versions. THCa is an inactive cannabinoid contained in the trichomes of live and freshly-harvested cannabis.

Is THC-A Flower Weed?

THCa flower refers to cannabis buds marketed as hemp. These buds are intended for smoking or vaping. They contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) and low concentrations of D9. Specifically, their D9 levels do not exceed 0.3% by dry weight. Despite sounding similar, THCA and THC delta-9 are very different compounds and the more we learn about THCA, the more it seems to have more in common with CBD than it does with THC

Will THC-A Flower Get Me High?

THCA is a non-intoxicating compound that does not directly bind to CB1 receptors in the central nervous system like Delta-9 THC, and therefore does not produce a psychoactive effect. However, this only applies if THCA is consumed in its raw state. When THCA is decarboxylated or smoked, it is converted to Delta-9 THC, which can cause intoxication if the THCA concentration is sufficiently high. What makes things complicated is that, when you smoke THCA flower, it turns into THC which makes the smoker feel high. The high is exactly like the high one feels when smoking cannabis. In fact, regular cannabis is often times quite low in Delta-9 THC (around 0.5-1.0%) but very high in THCA (20-30%).

 

What If The Cops Stop Me With THC-A Flower?

Hemp products are legal under state and federal law. The idea that there are legal hemp buds that are no different from illegal marijuana buds seems counterintuitive, but proving that this is true involves a very straightforward analysis. The 2018 Farm Bill distinguishes legal hemp from illegal marijuana solely by reference to its D9 levels. Specifically, hemp is cannabis with no more than 0.3% D9 by dry weight. So, a hemp bud with THCa levels of 20% and D9 levels of 0.15% falls squarely within the 2018 Farm Bill’s definition of “hemp” and is legal under federal law.

It is difficult for law enforcement officials to distinguish between CBD or CBG flower and cannabis nugs grown for their THC content, as they have identical appearances, aromas, and flavors. Similarly, CBD or CBG prerolls are indistinguishable from regular prerolls. In the case of fresh, unopened containers of non-THC flower, provided that a brand's lab report can be accessed via QR code and reveals non-detectable THC levels, law enforcement officials could scan the code and verify the contents of the container. However, in the event that the container has been opened, it would be challenging for law enforcement officials to determine whether it contains THC or non-THC flower.

 

How Do I Know My THC-A Flower Is Safe To Consume

Take one look at a Colorado marijuiana label and you will see two types of THC listed on the packaging. 

THC-A and THC (which is short for ∆9-THC)

Here is where it gets interesting.... Get ready. You might want to sit down for this one.

Hemp is considered any product that has less than .3% ∆9-THC, So the product shown above that was sold as Marijuiana, is actually classified as hemp under federal law. 

And with that being said. Weed is legal, we're just able to call it hemp now.