THC vs. THCA: What are they and how do they compare?
When it comes to cannabis terms, there’s a lot of discussion around THC and THCA. While they may sound similar, they are actually very different in terms of their overall chemical properties, effects on the body, and legal status. If you're trying to learn more about the world of cannabis, it’s key to understand these differences, including what’s legal in your state or local area.
What Are THC and THCA?
First, let’s break down what these cannabis compounds actually consist of.
THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the cannabis compound that most people are familiar with. THC is the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, which in essence means it’s the one responsible for any euphoric "high" feeling people report feeling from various methods of using marijuana. The THC binds to receptors in the brain, which in turn produces effects like happiness, along with increased appetite for some users.
THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid), by comparison, acts as the precursor to THC. It’s found in raw cannabis plants, and has no psychoactive effects. This means that if you consume cannabis with only THCA properties (for example: fresh or raw cannabis), then you won’t get any “high” feeling. While it doesn’t have any psychoactive effects, THCA has its own potential benefits for users. Some use it for it’s potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, but research on THCA is still ongoing and not yet conclusive for any proven health benefits.
For THCA to be converted into THC, it has to undergo a process refered to as decarboxylation, which occurs when the cannabis is heated at a high heat.
How Are THC and THCA Used?
Because the THC compound is psychoactive, it's the most popular
Flower (the female buds of the cannabis plant)
Edibles (e.g. THC-infused gummies or candies)
Vapes (THC oils or concentrates)
Tinctures and more
THCA, by comparison, is usually only found in raw, unheated cannabis. It’s often used in products that emphasize the potential health benefits rather than its psychoactive effects, for example:
Raw cannabis juices
THCA tinctures
THCA-rich concentrates
THCA can also be used in some cannabis topicals for its potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Legal Questions: THC vs. THCA
One of the biggest differences between THC and THCA when it comes to legal access is how each compound is treated, with different laws for each state. Since THC is the compound with psychoactive effects, it’s more heavily regulated in most places, whereas THCA, being non-psychoactive, can be treated differently in some areas.
Legal Access to THC:
In the United States, the legal status of THC varies widely depending on the state and established laws over time. While cannabis is still technically “illegal” at the federal level, many states have legalized THC for either medicinal and/or recreational use for citizens.
Recreational Use: In states like California, Colorado, and Oregon, adults with proper government or state issued IDs over 21 are able to legally purchase cannabis with THC in various forms, including flower, edibles, concentrates, and more.
Medical Use: Certain states allow just medical cannabis access with an approved prescription or medical card from a doctor. In these states, the THC products available will often be geared towards patients with qualifying medical conditions including chronic pain, PTSD, and anxiety.
Illegal States: There are still more states than not that consider cannabis illegal in line with the federal government. States with complete THC bans include Idaho, Wyoming, and Texas.
What is the legal access to THCA?:
The legal status of THCA is more complex since it’s technically found in raw cannabis, which is typically not psychoactive at all. In most states where THC is illegal, THCA may often be less regulated, especially if it's found in truly raw forms including fresh cannabis flower. That being said, the legal status of THCA really depends on the specific product and how it’s used and regulated as a result.
States that have Legal THC: In places where THC is legal, THCA is usually available as well, particularly in states that have legalized cannabis for medicinal use.
States that have CBD-Only Laws: Some states that have legalized CBD (Cannabidiol -which doesn’t contain anyTHC) might also allow for some THCA in certain products, if they have very low levels of THC under a certain limit.
So Which One is for You? THC or THCA?
When educating yourself on the differences, and trying to decide whether THC or THCA is right for you, it depends on what you want to get out of it. If you’re looking for psychoactive effects, then THC is the best choice. It’s the known cannabis compound that will produce that “high” euphoric feeling that people often seek out for recreational or therapeutic effects like pain relief and relaxation.
If you're into exploring cannabis for its potential health benefits without the psychoactive effects, then THCA is probably the best option. While the research on THCA still has a long way to go, the potential anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective elements have promising potential for long-term natural therapy needs.
Conclusion
Both THC and THCA offer unique elements and benefits for users, but differ significantly with how they affect the body, and where products with each are legal or banned. Depending on your location and the laws regarding cannabis in your state, legal access to products with these compounds will vary. As always, do your research and know what’s legal and what’s not so you don’t find yourself in legal trouble for something you thought was legal in your state.