What Is THCA Flower & Why Is It So Hot Right Now?

For weed aficionados, it’s getting easier to find hemp flower with high concentrations of our preferred cannabinoids—especially if it’s one of the more abundant ones, like CBD, CBG, or THCA. Herb can be either selectively bred or infused with a particular distillate. 

I’ve seen THCA hemp’s surge in popularity firsthand. It’s not hard to see the appeal, and people like it for different reasons than high CBD bud and CBG bud. There’s growing evidence that inactive THCA has medicinal benefits, but THCA-rich products are also the closest we’ll get to old-fashioned marijuana on the hemp market.

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, commonly abbreviated to THCA or THCa, is delta 9 THC’s biosynthetic precursor. THCA is a cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) byproduct, and heat or oxygen convert THCA into psychotropic THC. This is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle and occurs without human intervention, given enough time. 

In a sense, THCA flower isn’t anything new. Traditional marijuana is “high THCA” in its raw form. But there’s a key legal distinction: high THCA hemp must contain below 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight. Unheated marijuana exceeds this amount, usually containing 1% or more of the active compound. 

I’ll explain what makes THCA flower special, how it’s produced, and how we can consume it for maximum effect.

How is THCA flower made?

There’s nuance around high THCA hemp and its production. Growers need to ensure that it’s legally distinct from marijuana despite having a similar chemical profile.

Selective breeding and tightly controlled growing conditions can produce high THCA bud with only trace THC—but it’s a somewhat tedious process. Bud can easily wind up testing over 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight, which makes it federally illegal. That’s expected, considering high THCA strains become high delta 9 strains with heat or time. 

Still, most retailers sell high THCA bud that was naturally grown, not sprayed with distillate. CBG flower is produced in a similar way. According to some in the cannabis industry, this is common practice and more cost-effective than THCA infusion. 

Spraying the plant can produce bud with high levels of specific cannabinoids, even when it’s impossible to grow organically. For instance, high delta 8 flower is just hemp coated in delta 8 THC distillate. A dusting of infused kief can be applied to intensify the hit. 

Does THCA flower get you high?

That depends on the mode of consumption. It’s possible to get a euphoric response almost identical to dispensary-bought marijuana, but in other cases, there might be few to no psychotropic effects. Regular marijuana bud technically works the same way.

When we vape or smoke flower, heat triggers the conversion of THCA into THC through a process known as decarboxylation. There’s little difference between high THCA hemp sold online (or in smoke shops) and cannabis bought at a licensed dispensary, as far as the effects are concerned. 

THCA doesn’t convert into an equivalent sum of delta 9 THC. Rather, each molecule is slightly heavier due to THCA’s added carboxyl group, which is then removed during decarboxylation. Delta 9 THC weighs approximately 87.7% as much as THCA. Marijuana retailers adjust for this difference when they calculate total THC content.

So, if my bud contains 15% THCA, this isn’t equal to 15% THC when heated. It gives me closer to 13% delta 9 THC. For users, the distinction doesn’t mean much; they both get you high.

To experience THCA’s medicinal properties without getting high, keep bud away from heat. THCA is nonintoxicating on its own. I’ll get into it later, but there are ways we can consume high THCA flower without applying heat and triggering decarboxylation. 

What are the benefits of THCA flower?

From limited studies, we know that raw THCA has anti-inflammatory properties and could help manage inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Researchers have suggested several other benefits, including seizure prevention and neuroprotection. THCA may help those suffering from degenerative neurological conditions, such as Huntington’s and Parkinson’s diseases. 

I’ve found more research about THCA than many compounds I’ve explored, but studies are still needed to confirm its effects. The science does look highly promising, though. 

How to consume THCA flower

We can vape or smoke THCA flower just like other kinds of cannabis bud. Adding it to edibles is another possibility, as is ingesting it raw—yes, really.

Vaporize THCA

I’ll cover the major “but” in a second. Vaping is one of the simplest ways to enjoy high THCA bud—if you want to get high from it. Dry herb vaporizers are my personal favorite tools here; they’re convenient, effective, and don’t use combustion. Vaping dry herb produces similar effects to smoking it but preserves the delicate terpene flavors and doesn’t produce any nasty smoke.

For ease and the ability to vape THCA on the go, consider a portable herb vaporizer, or even a compact dry herb pen. For an in-home session with extra power and a wider range of settings, check out desktop vaporizers.

To prepare THCA bud for a vaporizer, I prefer to grind it to a medium-fine consistency. Herb that isn’t ground finely enough may not be heated all the way through, meaning weaker effects and less flavor. Be sure to use a clean grinder for better results and an easier experience. Scissors can work in a pinch but may damage the bud, so be careful. 

Now, about that “but” I mentioned earlier: when you vape (or smoke) THCA flower, you aren’t ingesting THCA. The heat turns it into delta 9 THC before the vapor even hits your lips. 

If your goal isn’t to get high, but to access THCA’s potential therapeutic effects, you can’t vape or smoke it. 

Make THCA oil or tincture

Since infused oil and alcohol-based tincture can be made without heat, I’d recommend this DIY project to someone who wants the raw, concentrated THCA cannabinoid. Just remember, if the bud isn’t decarbed, these mixtures aren’t intoxicating. 

Soaking THCA bud in high-proof alcohol like everclear or vodka is where I’d start. It’s a fast and easy approach, though other recipes and heat-free methods are also out there. 

Both THCA tinctures and oils are versatile and beginner-friendly ways to ingest the compound. You can add them to food, take them sublingually (under the tongue), or drop the liquid directly into the mouth. Taking THCA oil works the same way as taking CBD oil.

Make AVB edibles

Vaping THCA bud doesn’t need to be the last step. Once it’s done in my vaporizer, I store leftover already vaped bud (AVB) in a jar to make intoxicating edibles with later. The time commitment is worth it, trust me. 

THCA flower can also be heat-activated without vaping it; a regular oven will get the job done. That’s not the thriftiest plan, but for non-vapers, it’s effective. 

I’d start by whipping up some basic cannabutter, or AVB-infused butter. It can be used as an ingredient in baked goods and other recipes, including brownies (a classic, and my personal favorite) and cookies. For a savory experience, try adding the buttery mixture to sandwiches, fried chicken, or other rich meals. 

Let the butter (or oil) and AVB simmer on a stovetop for around four hours; it can also be made in a slow cooker. Coconut oil is a good butter substitute and can be worked into a host of sweet and savory recipes. 

Again, AVB is rich in delta 9 THC, not raw THCA. High THCA bud is no different than marijuana-derived AVB in its cooked form. It’s already decarbed and any treats made with it will be intoxicating. 

Consume THCA flower raw

Is it conventional? Not exactly, but eating raw bud is one method of ingesting the raw THCA. The flower isn’t psychotropic if it hasn’t been decarbed. I’ve never done this, but many others have, and it’s even faster than preparing your own oil or tincture.

Try blending uncooked THCA flower into a smoothie or sprinkling it onto a salad. At that point, you’ll hardly be able to taste it. Unless you enjoy the taste, in which case, more power to you. 

Is THCA flower legal?

THCA flower can be legal. It meets the legal bar set by the 2018 Farm Bill, as long as it’s below the 0.3% delta 9 THC (by dry weight) content limit. Vapers may be able to sell, possess, and use THCA-rich bud, but there are major caveats to keep in mind. 

As the direct precursor to THC, and a substance that converts into THC given time and certain conditions, THCA sits in a legal gray area. While it’s not chemically or legally identical to delta 9 THC (an illegal controlled substance in the U.S.), it’s possible for THCA bud to cross that threshold after sale. 

Most importantly, high THCA isn’t legal in every state, so always check local laws before making a purchase. Certain states have stricter regulations around “total THC” content and how that number is measured. In other words, any flower high in THCA could be treated by police and courts the same as marijuana.