By now, you have probably heard a thing or two about THC, or maybe just a little. But are you familiar with THCA? Are we the first to introduce you to this acidic variant of the more popular psychoactive cannabinoid? If so, we did not intend to create any confusion. Those who do know a bit about THCA often ask the same question: Are Delta-9 and THCA the same thing? This blog will answer this question, as well as introduce and reintroduce you to THCA.
Before moving on to the details, we need you to know this: D9 THC is what you think of when the cannabis high comes to mind. It is the cannabinoid known for producing the euphoric buzz you have come to know and love. Things would be much simpler if we just called it “THC.”
Now, how does THCA fit into all this? Well, all THC starts as THCA. Once THCA is exposed to heat, a chemical reaction called “decarboxylation” occurs, transforming it into THC. On its own, THCA does not produce any psychoactive effects.
For the sake of simplicity, just know that smoking THCA flower or vaping it is going to cause certain effects that you would experience if you smoke THC flower or THC vapes. That being said, there is more to this story than meets the eye. Let us go deeper.
Differences Between THCA and Delta-9 THC
The ultimate difference between these two cannabinoids comes down to one simple letter – “A.” That “A” in THCA refers to its acidic state. Acidic cannabinoids do not produce any sort of psychoactive effects.
They are, however, packed with potential. The moment you spark up a THCA flower for sale or puff on a THCA vape pen, you will jumpstart a conversion process that activates the psychoactive nature of THC.
What is Delta-9 THC?
You probably see loads of THC products these days, and for good reason. These products bring the benefits of THC and CBD together so that your body gets a more strain-specific experience.
Thanks to growing popularity and loosening regulations, almost anyone can get their hands on high-quality THC products online if local options are not available.
So, what is Delta-9 Texas, actually? It is the cannabinoid we have all come to know and love as THC. In the scientific community, it is called delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol.
Brands and manufacturers have found new, innovative ways to create high-quality products using cannabinoids derived from both marijuana and hemp plants. Even today, most THC products you see on the shelves of dispensaries are fabricated using marijuana.
Thanks to emerging technology and continuing innovation, now there are products derived from hemp, often referred to as Delta-9 THC. It is the same cannabinoid that is sourced from a slightly different plant.
This slightly different plant is called hemp, which is now federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This act legalized growing and selling hemp-based products, such as CBD and THC.
There is just one hitch – the hemp plant itself must be grown in such a way that it yields less than 0.3% THC by dry weight.
Most THC products come with 5mg or 10mg of the cannabinoid, but some do offer higher concentrations. The amount of total THC by percent compared to the entire weight of the product is still less than 0.3%. That is why hemp-derived THC is considered federally legal, whereas marijuana-derived THC is still illegal.
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What is THCA?
THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the non-psychotropic cannabinoid found in live cannabis. Yes! Live cannabis!
Essentially, it means that THCA does not induce any effects and is found in the raw form of cannabis. It is a live, raw cannabinoid that is a crucial building block of the whole plant.
Many people order THCA online right now, but it is a relatively new discovery, with early studies dating back to less than a decade ago. This means we still have much to learn about this acidic cannabinoid.
What we do know for sure is that it has the power to be as psychoactive as Delta-9 THC. It is converted into THC once it is heated, a process called decarboxylation. This can happen in the following ways;
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Exposure to room temperature
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Exposure to sunlight
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Exposure to heat through smoking, vaping, concentrates, etc.
Once THCA is heated, it becomes THC – the cannabinoid we all know and love. This raises the question – does THCA convert to Delta-9 when smoked?
Does THCA turn into Delta-9 when smoked?
Yes! THCA does become THC when smoked and causes the chemical structure to change slightly. This is what results in the high associated with Delta-9.
Decarboxylation is basically fire! Without high heat, there is no THC. And without Delta-9, there is no high. What is the point of THCA, then? Before we answer this question, let us find out whether THCA is the same as Delta-9 THC.
Are They Similar?
Absolutely not! Although THCA can become Delta-9, both cannabinoids have different personalities and traits. The terms should never be used interchangeably.
You will find out why as we compare and contrast THC in Delta-9 live rosin gummies and THCA side by side. For now, just know that THCA products are loaded with potential, but will not do anything until heated or decarboxylated, if you prefer.
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Comparing THCA vs. Delta-9 THC
Should you use THCA or Delta-9 products? If you are lucky enough to be able to choose between the two, our advice would be to stick with THC because it tends to offer more true-to-strain experiences.
That means your favorite Green Herbal Care THC products are a great way to legally enjoy everything cannabis has to offer. But if you are still curious about the differences between the two, just keep reading.
Is THCA Stronger Than Delta-9?
Here is a quick question – does THCA get you high? As it is found in live, raw cannabis, it does not have any psychotropic effects – meaning it does not cause a high. So, in that sense, no. THCA is not as strong as THC.
The latter is more potent than the former because it can produce a high instantly. It interacts with a set of receptors in the brain, whereas THCA does not have as strong an effect on the same receptors.
While THCA has its uses and benefits, most users look for the high associated with THC. If you are one of them, you will love this next bit: smoking or vaping THCA flowers/oil will give you the authentic cannabis experience that you desire.
That is to say that THCA can actually be as strong as Delta-9, but only if it is decarboxylated. There are differing schools of thought on the conversion efficiency between THCA and Delta-9 THC, but many believe it is a 1:1 ratio. So, if you have a 95% THCA vape, it may as well be a 95% THC vape.
Therapeutic Benefits
Now, what if you are not chasing the high? What if you are only after the therapeutic benefits of THCA? Since it was discovered only recently and research is still in its early stages, there is much left to learn about its capabilities. What we have found already, though, is quite promising.
Early anecdotal evidence suggests it may bring neuroprotective qualities to aid in managing some underlying diseases. Just like other cannabinoids, THCA can also help with overall well-being and balance as it is believed to support a healthier inflammatory response.
But we do know much more about what Delta-9 can and cannot do. It does a lot more than just get you high. THC has been studied more closely and found to aid in;
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Physical discomfort relief
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Appetite stimulation
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Nausea and vomiting reduction
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Mood enhancement
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Muscle relaxation
Does this mean Delta-9 drinks have more medicinal properties than THCA? No. We just do not know what the acidic form of THC can do yet. Besides, you need to remember that the benefits of genuine THC can be found in THCA. You just need to decarboxylate the stuff!
Is THCA Better Than Delta-9?
We hope this comparison of THCA vs. Delta-9 THC has provided you with some clarity on the differences and similarities between them. So, is THCA better? No cannabinoid is inherently better than the next, but one may be better than the other based on your preferences or requirements.
THCA is perfect for someone who wants a non-psychoactive option or needs a legally accessible cannabis product that can still be converted into THC. But if you have access to Delta-9 products, those are going to be much more predictable.
At the end of the day, both cannabinoids have a place in cannabis culture, and the choice comes down to how you want to consume, the kind of effects you are looking for, and the legality regarding THC and THCA in your state.
Pick a product accordingly, and know that whichever you pick, you are getting more or less the same experience in the end if you smoke, vape, or dab.
Also Read: Is Delta-9 Safe?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you eat raw cannabis to get the effects of THCA?
No, eating raw cannabis won’t get you high. THCA needs heat to convert into THC. Raw cannabis keeps THCA intact but won’t deliver psychoactive effects.
Does THCA show up on a drug test?
Yes, most standard drug tests look for THC metabolites. Since THCA converts into THC when heated, using THCA products can trigger a positive test.
How long does the THCA to THC conversion take when smoking?
The conversion happens almost instantly. Once exposed to flame or high heat during smoking or vaping, THCA quickly changes into THC and produces psychoactive effects.
Is THCA legal everywhere in the U.S.?
Not exactly. THCA derived from hemp is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, but individual states may have stricter rules regarding THCA products.
Can THCA and Delta-9 be used together?
Yes, some people combine them. THCA adds raw cannabinoid potential, while Delta-9 provides the high. Together, they may offer a broader range of effects and benefits.
