THCA vs Delta 9 THC

THCA vs Delta 9 THC: What’s the Difference?

A lot of people have been asking what THCA is. Especially now that it’s been everywhere in the market the past couple years. What a lot of people don’t realize is that THCA is essentially the same exact cannabinoid as delta-9-THC when it comes to the effects.

So let’s break things down and try to make this simple.

What is cannabis, marijuana, and hemp?

So both marijuana and hemp are cannabis plants. That’s the first thing. They’re both the same plant. The only difference is in how much delta-9-THC they contain.

If a cannabis plant has over the legal limit of 0.3% delta-9-THC, it’s classified as marijuana.

If it has 0.3% or less, it’s classified as hemp.

But again, it’s the same plant. Marijuana just has more delta-9 thc than hemp. 

So what’s the deal with THCA vs Delta 9 THC?

Here’s the key thing: Before delta-9-THC ever shows up in the plant, it’s actually THCA.

When cannabis plants are growing, they produce THCA first. That’s the precursor to delta-9 THC. THCA naturally converts into delta-9 THC over time, or if you heat it to around 220  degrees Fahrenheit. So if you heat your THCA flower to 220°F or more, it’s going to convert into delta 9 THC, which is the federally controlled compound found in marijuana, and what you’re buying when you go to a legal dispensary.

Even most of the flowers in dispensaries? It’s mostly THCA. It just hasn’t had enough time or heat to fully convert into delta 9 THC yet.

So what does that mean?

That means it’s pretty much the same compound. The only reason they’re treated differently is because Congress decided to define cannabis plants with under 0.3% delta 9 THC as hemp, and anything over that threshold as marijuana.

So it’s not that the actual effects are any different – it’s that the classification is different.

Then how is THCA flower legal?

So here’s the thing: the only requirement for legality is that the certificate of analysis (COA) needs to show that 30 days prior to harvest, the flower has less than 0.3% delta-9-THC.

Pre-harvest means before it’s been trimmed, before it’s been cured, and before it’s been packaged when it’s still raw, still on the plant. As long as the lab test shows it’s compliant at that point, it’s classified as legal hemp.

That’s how we’re legally able to sell THCA flower – even though, yes, eventually it’s going to convert into delta-9-THC when it’s smoked or heated.

Does all the THCA convert into Delta 9 THC?

Yes, for the most part. When THCA decarbs and converts into delta-9-THC, about 87.7% of it converts. That means there’s a roughly 12.3% loss in active potency during the process. But once it’s smoked or vaporized, you’re still getting the same exact effects as if you were consuming traditional delta 9 THC flower. For example, if you have a 30% THCA strain, it will convert into 26.31% Delta 9 THC when you light it or heat it. 

So in summary:

• THCA is delta 9-THC in its raw form
• It becomes delta 9 THC when heated
• Companies like ours are able to sell High THCA flower based on how it tests before it’s harvested
• Yes, smoking THCA flower is pretty much the same experience as smoking Delta 9 THC flower found in dispensaries. 

That’s why it’s everywhere now. It feels the same & hits the same. Enjoy!

Interested? Shop for THCA here: https://highlyconcentr8ed.com/product-category/shop-by-cannabinoid/phantom-thca/