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As you start learning more and more about cannabis there comes a point where you realize just how many cannabinoids are present in the plant. Sure, everyone thinks about THC and CBD – but there are hundreds of others worth exploring as well!
Even delta 9 THC has its own unique subtypes, like THCa – the acidic form of the cannabinoid associated with the classic “high.” But what’s the difference between THCa and delta 9 THC? This comparison of THCa vs delta 9 THC will answer all your questions.
It’s really this simple: THCa has the potential to be THC, it just needs to be decarboxylated – or heated. So when you consume THCa vapes, flower, or dabs, you’re essentially getting the real deal delta 9 THC.
In this sense, they can be the same thing! There’s a lot more than meets the eye in comparing delta 9 THC vs THCa, though, so let’s dive in below. In the meantime, know that there are great THCa products and delta 9 THC products alike right here at Delta Munchies!
What is THCA?
So, what is THCa? Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a natural compound found in raw cannabis. It’s the precursor to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which you know is the cannabinoid responsible for producing the plant’s psychoactive effects.
THCA stays non-psychoactive in unheated cannabis and only converts to Delta 9 THC when exposed to heat, such as through smoking or vaping. This process is called decarboxylation and will bring out the full psychoactive potential of delta 9 THC.
That being said, there are cases to be made for enjoying THCa in its raw form through juices and capsules. It has some therapeutic potential and won’t get you high, perfect for fueling workday creativity. We’ll talk more about this later on.
What is Delta 9 THC?
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta 9 THC) is the main psychoactive compound that produces the characteristic “high” associated with cannabis use. It’s found in both marijuana and hemp varieties and has been used both recreationally as well as therapeutically in some cases.
That’s right – although it’s known for getting people stoned, delta 9 does have some healing potential. We’ll get into that later on as we compare and contrast THCa vs delta 9 THC side by side.
Does THCA Turn into Delta 9?
Yes, THCA converts into Delta 9 THC through decarboxylation. This is the chemical reaction that activates the psychoactive properties of cannabinoids in cannabis. We like to think of THCa as THC in waiting – although it won’t get you high on its own, it just needs a little help.
Decarboxylation happens when cannabis is heated, such as during smoking or vaporizing. The THCa is instantly converted into Delta 9 THC, which is then readily absorbed by the body. So when you consume THCa vapes or dabs or smoke THCa flower, you’re actually inhaling THC.
It’s worth noting that decarboxylation can also occur at lower temperatures over the course of time, but high heat accelerates the process to make the psychoactive effects more immediate.
THCA vs Delta 9 THC: Key Differences to Consider
So what’s the difference between THCa vs delta 9 THC? Really, it comes down to chemical structure. There’s one additional carboxyl group which leads to a world of differences in how each cannabinoid interacts with the body and how they’re looked at in the legal landscape.
That being said, let’s take a closer look at THCa vs delta 9 THC side by side below to help you get a better understanding of where each is unique – starting with potential effects.
Potential Effects
Here’s where the conversation may start to get confusing. THCA transforms into Delta 9 THC, so comparing these two is almost like comparing Delta 9 with itself. So for the sake of this conversation, we’ll compare the effects of raw THCA with those of activated Delta 9 THC.
Consuming THCA in its raw form, (like in edibles or capsules) won’t result in any sort of head or body high. You may be supporting a healthier inflammatory response to help treat conditions associated with chronic pain, though.
We’ve also seen studies suggest THCA could play a part in alleviating nausea and vomiting – particularly that which is the result of chemotherapy. There’s even reason to believe THCA may provide neuroprotective benefits to protect the brain from damage caused by injury or disease.
That’s really it for THCa, though. So what happens when it’s converted to delta 9 THC? A whole new world opens up. The most classic effect associated with THC is euphoria, a strong sense of happiness and well-being. This is the high everyone talks about.
THC is also known for increasing appetite, commonly referred to as “the munchies,” which often results in food cravings and increased eating. That’s where we got our name here at Delta Munchies! While you may look at this as a side effect rather than a benefit, it’s a powerful connection for those struggling with appetite due to medical conditions or an eating disorder.
THC eases both the body and mind into a deep state of relaxation, melting away stress and creating a calming effect. You may notice an altered sensory perception – colors look brighter, music sounds better, and you feel a distorted sense of time.
Some users also use THC to stir up their creative juices and help improve focus during the workday. The key takeaway is that while THC definitely gets you high, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Potency
THCa is not considered potent in terms of psychoactive effects compared to other cannabinoids – it more closely resembles CBD in that it won’t produce a high when consumed raw.
As you now know, though, that all changes when you smoke or vaporize THCa and jumpstart the conversion to delta 9 THC. You’ll enjoy psychoactive effects, unlike CBD, which remains non-psychoactive even when smoked.
Delta 9 THC is considered one of the most potent cannabinoids. It’s the key compound responsible for the high experience when consuming or smoking marijuana.
Some Delta 9 THC strains can be so potent that they might be overwhelming for certain users, which is where milder cannabinoids like CBD, HHC, and Delta 8 THC come into play. We actually have some great delta 8 THC products and HHC products if you’re interested!
Best Ways To Use
There are so many ways to enjoy both THCa and Delta 9 THC, but the way you tap into these cannabinoids dictates the experience you have.
Raw THCa can be infused into edibles for its potential benefits like reduced inflammation and nausea relief. Just know if you’re baking anything, you’re likely decarbing the cannabinoid and turning it into THC.
THCa tinctures are one of the most versatile consumption methods you have at your fingertips. You can add them to food and drinks or take them sublingually for quicker effects. You get more control over the dosage, too.
THCa concentrates, such as THCa vape pens or THCa dabs, convert to THC when heated for a potent high similar to that of Delta 9 THC. THCA sand and diamonds are pure, crystallized forms of THCa that can be dabbed or added to other cannabis products for a potency boost.
You can enjoy delta 9 THC in all of the ways you could enjoy THCa. That includes the classic approach of smoking, the modern methods of vaping or dabbing, or even tinctures, edibles, the list goes on and on.
Legality
Comparing Delta 9 THC vs THCa through the legality lens reveals a few key differences, which are really important to understand so you can stay on the right side of the law.
Delta 9 THC is federally illegal in the United States under the Controlled Substances Act. While we hope to see that change in the near future, it’s classified as a Schedule I substance.
That being said, the vast majority of states have legalized delta 9 THC in some way or another, be it recreationally, medicinally, or both. This allows adults to enjoy cannabis is a similar way they would alcohol.
THCa, on the other hand, is federally legal. So how is THCa legal? It’s all thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This act made hemp-derived THCa federally legal as long as it contains less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight.
This means that THCa can be legally sold and consumed under federal law – and more importantly, you can buy it online without worrying about breaking the law! Even those who live in legal states choose this approach simply for the convenience of having cannabis shipped to their doorstep.
Where To Buy Online
There’s one more thing to consider in comparing delta 9 THC vs THCa – where you can access the two cannabinoids. Again, your specific state and city will dictate whether or not local shopping is an option.
What matters most when purchasing any hemp-THC product are safety and quality. That’s why users choose to shop at MUNCHIES!, your go-to online shop for both THCA and Delta 9 products.
Choose from our THCA Diamond Infused Prerolls or explore our THCA Diamond Sauce Dabs. We also offer industry-leading hemp-derived, full-spectrum Delta 9 THC gummy-edibles. Our
Our delta 9 THC edibles feature a powerful blend of 11 unique cannabinoids, including CBN, CBG, CBD, CBC, CBCA, CBGA, CBDA, THCV, THCVA, Delta 8 THC, and THCA. Experience the euphoric, cloud-like buzz where each cannabinoid works together in perfect harmony.
No matter your choice, you can rest assured you’re getting the safe, enjoyable experience you deserve when you shop with us. With a 30-day money-back guarantee, you don’t have to take our word for it! Treat yourself to the finest legal cannabis online today.
Bringing Our Comparison of Delta 9 THC vs THCa to a Close
That does it for our comparison of THCa vs delta 9 THC. We know this subject can be a bit confusing since THCa technically has the ability to be delta 9 THC.
That being said, there are distinctions in looking at raw THCa vs delta 9 THC. The subtle nuance in chemical structure leads to a world of differences in effects, legality, and more.
We hope you feel confident in which types of products are right for you between delta 9 THC vs THCa. Our blog has a similar comparison of THCa vs delta 8 if you’re interested, otherwise, it’s time to spoil yourself with either THCa products or delta 9 products today at MUNCHIES!
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