THCa Flower VS THC Flower: Is It Weed?

When hemp was legalized in 2018, it changed the world of legal weed forever. 

The modern-day hemp market has exploded with countless different legal hemp-derived products. THCa flower has become one of the most popular legal hemp products, especially amongst consumers who live in states where recreational and/or medical marijuana is still illegal.

What’s the difference between THCa flower vs THC flower, though? And perhaps more importantly…do THCa buds get you high? In this article, we’ll explore all that and more.

Keep reading to discover all there is to know about THCa flower, including what it is, how it’s different from hemp flower and what to expect when smoking it yourself.

Key Takeaways: THCa Bud VS Weed

• THCa flower is hemp flower that contains high levels of THCa. 
• THCa converts into D9-THC when it’s decarbed and produces the same effects as Delta 9 THC. 
• Hemp usually naturally contains low THCa levels, while marijuana contains high levels of THCa. 

What Is THCa Flower?

THCa flower is cannabis flower that naturally contains high levels of THCa. 

But, for THCa flower to legally qualify as hemp, the flower must have a THC concentration of 0.3% or less. 

Marijuana flower already contains high levels of THCa. This is because THCa is the precursor to THC. When THCa flower is exposed to heat during the process of decarboxylation, the THCa converts to THC and produces the same effects as traditional delta 9 THC. 

This is why when you look at the label on weed purchased from a dispensary it’s typically high in THCa but low in delta 9 THC. 

The only real difference between hemp THCa flower vs THCa flower from marijuana is that THCa flower from hemp will contain less than 0.3% delta 9, which meets federal hemp regulation. 

At a federal level, high THCa hemp flower that contains less than 0.3% D9 THC can be purchased legally, and this is becoming especially popular in states that have not passed recreational and/or medical marijuana laws.

Keep in mind that states can make their hemp laws and it’s important to check state regulations before consuming hemp-derived products. 

In states where hemp-derived products are legal, THCa flower can be legally purchased in smoke shops across the country and from online retailers.

Related Read: CBD Flowers VS THC Flowers

How Does THCa Flower Differ From Hemp Flower? 

THCa flower differs from hemp flower in one major way. Regular hemp flower doesn’t get you high. It has a low THCa content and less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC. 

While some hemp flower contains higher levels of other cannabinoids like CBD and you may experience some therapeutic benefit from smoking it, it will not get you high. Unless it’s infused with another THC Isomer e.g D8 flower.

This is different from smoking THCa flower, which will induce the same high as THC once THCa is activated through decarboxylation. 

As soon as THCa flower is ignited (using a lighter to ignite a bowl, for example) the cannabinoid acid is converted into D9-THC.

Does THCa Bud Get You High? 

Yes, THCa bud gets you high. 

And what’s even better is, the effects are identical to the effects of delta 9 THC. 

This means you can consume THCa flower just like you would regular Delta 9 THC flower. Simply light it and smoke it, knowing you’ll feel the same effects of THC almost immediately. 

You can actually treat THCa flower just like you would regular weed as long as you’re going to decarb it. This means you can smoke, vape or bake with THCa flower, and you’ll experience the same effects as THC flower. 

In my personal experience, the high from THCa flower is literally identical to a delta 9 high. When smoking a sativa THCa flower strain in my typical THC dosage, I feel just as chatty, giggly and creative as I do when I smoke regular weed. 

Same thing goes for indica THCa flower strains. When I need to relax after a particularly stressful day or I can’t sleep, I can take a few hits of THCa indica flower and experience the relaxation and sedation common with indica strains of THC flower.

Wrapping Up 

Once it’s decarbed, THCa flower is the same thing as THC flower. 

While THCa won’t get you high on its own, after it goes through the process of decarboxylation it converts to THC and will get you high. 

When it’s smoked, vaped or baked, THCa flower will create the same effects as THC flower. 

The biggest difference between THCa flower vs THC flower? 

THCa flower is federally legal and can be legally purchased and consumed in most states. It’s easily accessible in smoke shops and online and can be shipped almost everywhere in the US. Even in states that haven’t legalized medical and recreational marijuana.