THCA Flower

Cannabis flowers or buds, which naturally contain THCA, offer another way to consume this compound. You can vape or smoke THCA-rich flower, and if the buds contain less than 0.3% THC, they can be legally classified as hemp. Some individuals also consume the flower directly for medicinal purposes.

A new variety of hemp flower has recently emerged in the market: THCA flower. Many people claim it’s identical to the cannabis sold at dispensaries, but is that really the case?

In this guide, we’ll explore the nuances of THCA flower and see whether the distinctions between THCA and THC cannabis are truly significant.

THC vs. THCA Flower:

THCA flower is cannabis cultivated to be rich in THCA and low in THC. Since THCA is the chemical precursor to THC, it naturally converts into THC when exposed to heat. This conversion happens at temperatures much lower than those used for smoking or vaping. Therefore, when smoked, THCA flower is essentially the same as THC cannabis—unless it's consumed in a way that doesn’t involve heating, such as eating it raw.

The term "THCA flower" refers to cannabis Sativa buds specifically bred to have high levels of THCA and low levels of THC. Traditional THC-rich cannabis typically contains around 15% THCA and only about 5% THC. The key difference is that THCA flowers must contain less than 0.3% THC to be legally sold online.

When people refer to “weed,” they’re usually talking about cannabis high in delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the type of cannabis sold in medical or recreational dispensaries, as well as in the black market. Due to federal and state regulations, cannabis with more than 0.3% THC is prohibited in certain areas, which has led to the rise in popularity of THCA flower as a legal alternative.

What’s The Difference?

While THCA and THC cannabis may seem nearly identical to the user, there are a few key differences worth understanding:

Structure

Cannabinoids each have their unique molecular structure, but THCA is a carboxylic acid, meaning it has a carboxyl group that significantly impacts the compound’s biochemistry. When heated, THCA loses this carboxyl group and transforms into THC.

Effects

In its raw form, THCA is non-psychoactive. While it may offer benefits in certain situations where THC’s effects are undesirable, it won’t cause a high unless heated to around 232°F.

Legality

The most notable difference between THCA and THC lies in how they’re treated by the law. In 2022, the DEA sought to clarify that THCA products are generally illegal, but their statement inadvertently pointed to the opposite conclusion. According to Kight Law, the legal experts who also provided our explanation for Secret Nature THCA, the DEA’s restrictions on THCA do not actually apply, thanks to the wording in the 2018 Farm Bill.

Essentially, Kight explains that the legal framework leaves the government in a contradictory position, where it has no choice but to allow THCA products to be sold online without obstruction.

How To Select THCA Products?

Whether you're a cannabis newbie or a seasoned user of traditional cannabis, diving into the newly emerging THCA market can feel overwhelming. While it’s clear that THCA flower is essentially the same as THC weed, how do you know which THCA products are best suited for you—and which ones you should avoid?

Let’s start by revisiting some basic THCA facts to help frame the question:

THCA doesn’t convert to THC until exposed to heat. If you want the effects of THC, use an ingestion method that applies heat; if you want to experience the benefits of THCA, choose a method that doesn’t involve heat.

It’s crucial to always check lab reports when buying THCA products. If THC content exceeds 0.3%, it’s considered a federally illegal substance. Reliable THCA producers make their lab reports easy to access, and they typically work with well-regarded, independent testing labs.

As a rule of thumb, companies with experience in the CBD flower industry tend to produce the best THCA products. These brands have the expertise and resources needed to invest in research and development, ensuring high-quality offerings.

If you're curious about THCA and want to try it before it turns into THC, THCA gummies can be a good starting point. However, don’t just settle for the cheapest options from the most hyped-up brands—do your homework on the company’s track record and ensure the lab reports are detailed and easily accessible.

For most users seeking the classic effects of THC, vapes or flower are the top choices. While vapes deliver a fast, controlled experience, flower provides a more traditional, natural high—without the need for added chemicals or synthetic cannabinoids—just pure tetrahydrocannabinol goodness.

What are the best buds you can buy online?

Among the many new THCA sellers popping up online, Secret Nature stands out for its stellar reputation and ability to deliver a premium, high-quality THCA experience. Those who’ve tried Secret Nature THCA can attest that it rivals the finest top-shelf dispensary weed—true, potent, and top-notch.

In contrast, most THCA flower available online contains around 10% total cannabinoids and is typically grown outdoors. While we do offer more affordable greenhouse-grown THCA options, our indoor-grown strains are in a league of their own, offering the highest quality THCA you can find—whether online or anywhere else.

Although THCA flower and THC weed are technically different, they’re essentially the same once heated. THCA converts to THC when exposed to heat, and most THCA cannabis strains on the market contain at least 15-20% of this easily converted cannabinoid.

Before it’s lit up, THCA flower is distinct from THC weed. But once you ignite it, all those differences disappear in the burst of trichomes and the rush of smoke through your pipe, joint, or bong—THCA turns into THC, delivering the classic effects of the most famous cannabinoid. This is something to keep in mind for those who either want or prefer to avoid the psychoactive experience of THC.

FAQ

There's still much to uncover about THCA weed. Below, we answer some frequently asked questions to clarify the key differences between THC and THCA:

What is a high THCA percentage in flower?

A THCA percentage between 15% and 30% in cannabis flower is considered high. Most cannabis strains, even those marketed as "high-THC," will have a high THCA content, as THCA is the primary cannabinoid before it decarboxylates into THC when exposed to heat. Many modern strains are bred to have THCA levels around 20%, with some reaching up to 30%.

Does THCA produce a high?

THCA doesn’t induce a high when consumed without heat. However, if exposed to temperatures over 232° F, THCA undergoes decarboxylation, transforming into THC, the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. Most common consumption methods, like vaping and smoking, apply enough heat to convert THCA into THC, triggering its intoxicating effects.

Is THCA flower legal in all 50 states?

The legal status of THCA flower is nuanced. According to the 2018 Farm Bill and clarification from the DEA, THCA-rich cannabis doesn't fall under the definition of “marijuana,” meaning it’s generally considered to be industrial hemp. However, local regulations may vary, so it’s important to check your specific state’s laws regarding THCA products.

Does THCA cause euphoria?

When unheated, THCA does not produce euphoric sensations. Instead, its effects are similar to CBD—relaxing and potentially beneficial for various conditions. THCA itself won’t make you feel "high" unless it’s heated and converted into THC, which is responsible for the classic euphoria associated with cannabis.

What percentage of THCA is present in flower?

THC cannabis, including what you’d typically find in dispensaries, contains mostly THCA, as the THC is in its THCA form at harvest. THCA comprises roughly 80% of the cannabinoid content in most cannabis flowers, with THC typically making up only 20%. Lab results usually show THCA levels between 15-18%, while THC content tends to be around 3-6%. This ratio explains why cannabis won’t produce psychoactive effects unless heated to convert THCA into THC.

What is considered a high THCA percentage?

Strains with around 20% THCA are considered high-THCA, which is equivalent to the THC content in many dispensary products. Since THCA turns into THC when heated, this means THCA flowers with 20% THCA will ultimately provide effects similar to THC flowers with the same concentration.

Is D9 THC stronger than THCA?

When THCA remains in its unaltered form, it is not psychoactive, whereas delta-9 THC is one of the most potent intoxicating cannabinoids. THCA does have unique properties that THC doesn’t, such as anti-inflammatory effects, but in terms of psychoactivity, THC is far stronger.

Is THCA flower real weed?

Yes, THCA flower is real weed. It is natural and unaltered, and when smoked, it undergoes the transformation into THC, giving you the familiar high. While the cannabinoid profile is technically different before heating, THCA flower is essentially the same as traditional THC-rich cannabis when smoked or vaporized.

What is the difference between THCA and THCB?

Despite similar names, THCA and THCB are quite distinct. THCA is the chemical precursor to THC, while THCB is a variant of THC, similar to compounds like THCV or delta-8. THCB doesn’t directly convert into THC like THCA does.

Is THCA flower natural or synthetic?

THCA flower is entirely natural. It is the precursor to THC and occurs naturally in cannabis plants before heat is applied. Unlike some other cannabis products, THCA flower is not altered or treated, making it as organic as any weed you’d find at a dispensary.