Posted on April 6, 2023 by Munchies

What if the key to unlocking your ideal cannabis experience lies in a specific amount? One of the first things our customers ask us about is the potency of our THCA products for sale online. After all, this dictates how high they’ll get you.

THCA converts to delta 9 THC when you smoke it or vape it, almost at a 1:1 rate. In this sense, a 78% THCA vape acts just like a 78% delta 9 THC vape. But what is a high THCA percentage, exactly?

This is fairly subjective, as what one person deems to be a very potent THCA vape pen, another person might find weak. The concept of cannabinoid content can be a bit convoluted, too, as some brands will market “total cannabinoids” which doesn’t tell you the whole story.

For instance, our THCA vapes have nearly 98% total cannabinoids! That sounds pretty potent. But the truth is, the THCA percentage is roughly 24% in that same vape. This is actually fairly high! Just wait till you learn about our THCA dabs, though.

Find the highest percentage THCA prodcuts online at MUNCHIES! today, or dig deeper into our guide to finding the right THCA content for your needs below.

Overview of THCA

So what is THCA, exactly? This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is found in raw cannabis, be it hemp or marijuana. In fact, it’s among the most prominent cannabinoids. The thing is, though, it has no psychoactive properties on its own. But, it has all the potential to get you high!

This is because it converts to delta 9 THC (the real deal) when exposed to heat, be it through smoking, vaping, or even baking. This is known as decarboxylation.

In this sense, our THCA products provide the same authentic cannabis experience as the marijuana you’d find at a dispensary. But, you can get them shipped to your door 100% legally! That being said, what is a high THCA percentage? Let’s discuss how percentages are calculated first.

How is THCA Content Determined?

Before we talk numbers, it helps to understand how those numbers are calculated in the first place. The THCA percentage you see on a product label isn’t pulled from thin air or an educated guess based on the cultivar in question.

Brands invest in lab testing to get a crystal clear understanding of THCA content, usually through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). This technique measures the precise chemical composition of the product, including cannabinoids in both their active and inactive forms.

But because most of the THC in raw cannabis is present as THCA, labs measure the amount of THCA and then apply a conversion formula to estimate the total potential THC yield. The equation often looks like this:

Total THC = (THCA x 0.877) + THC

Why 0.877? That accounts for the loss of the carboxyl group (CO₂) during decarboxylation. This is important context when you’re shopping for THCA-heavy products, because some brands may report “total cannabinoids” or “potential THC” like we said earlier.

This can be a bit disingenuous because it doesn’t really paint the full picture for customers. Instead, we choose to let you view the lab tests for our products yourself so you can arrive at your own conclusions! That said, what is a high THCA percentage?

What is a High THCA Percentage?

Remember, “high” THCA content is somewhat subjective. It’s also important to remember that THCA percentage will vary based on product type. Dabs will be much stronger than raw flower, while vapes typically sit somewhere in the middle. Here’s a range for most cannabis products:

  • Low THCA: Under 10%
  • Moderate THCA: 10-20%
  • High THCA: 20-30%
  • Ultra-high THCA (concentrates): 40%+

It’s important not to get caught up comparing a flower to a concentrate or a vape. A 24% THCA flower is considered very strong. That same percentage in a vape or dab, though? Pretty tame by concentrate standards.

There’s a reason you’ll find so many different THCA levels across our atalog here at MUNCHIES! Strain genetics, cultivation practices, storage conditions, and processing methods all shape the final THCA percentage. Here’s the role they play:

  • Strain Genetics: Some strains are naturally more THCA-rich than others. High-THCA cultivars are often bred for potency, similar to high-THC marijuana strains.
  • Cultivation Practices: Light exposure, nutrients, temperature, and harvest timing can all impact THCA production.
  • Storage Conditions: THCA can slowly degrade into other cannabinoids (like CBNA) if the product is exposed to heat or UV light over time.
  • Processing Methods: How the plant is dried, cured, and extracted has a major effect on THCA concentration – especially in concentrates and vapes.

That being said, what is a high THCA percentage? let’s take a closer look at THCA percentages across the most common products you’ll encounter on the market.

Cannabis Flower THCA Percentages

This tends to be the weakest of all cannabis products, but that isn’t a bad thing! Good ol’ flower always has its place in the realm of consumption methods. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Below 10% THCA: Very mild, often used for beginners or those who are sensitive to THC.
  • 10-15% THCA: Moderate potency for casual or occasional users.
  • 15-25% THCA: Considered strong and more than enough for most experienced users.
  • 25%+ THCA: Top-shelf potency, comparable to the strongest dispensary-grade marijuana.

Keep in mind that THCA flower becomes Delta 9 THC once you smoke or vape it. So 25% THCA flower will hit just like 25% THC flower.

THCA Concentrates

Now we’re entering heavy-hitter territory. THCA concentrates, such as diamonds, wax, or shatter, are refined to isolate the THCA molecule, often to extremely high purity. These are some of the common ranges you’ll encounter:

  • 50-60% THCA: Moderate-strength dabs for those with some experience.
  • 70-90% THCA: Potent extracts for seasoned users who want quick, strong effects.
  • 95%+ THCA (Diamonds): Extremely pure and powerful. This is about as concentrated as cannabis gets. Not for the faint of heart!

THCA dabs don’t mess around. Even a tiny amount can feel overwhelming if you’re not used to that level of potency. These are best for the most experienced users for that reason.

Stick with something more mellow like flower or vapes if you’re relatively inexperienced, or simply want to keep your tolerance in check.

Vape Cartridges

Vapes are a bit trickier because like we said earlier, brands often promote “total cannabinoids” instead of a pure THCA percentage. This can make it hard to tell what’s what. We’re here to help you cut through the noise:

  • 10-20% THCA: Milder effect, better for microdosing or daytime use.
  • 20-40% THCA: Strong and functional, ideal for regular users.
  • 40-60% THCA: Very potent, often mixed with other cannabinoids or terpenes.
  • 70%+ THCA: Extremely strong; most vapes don’t get this high unless they’re live resin or formulated for experienced users. We’ve got some of these, though!

Our best advice is to always look at the COA (Certificate of Analysis) when buying a vape, or any THCA product for that matter. You won’t have to play the guessing game about the THCA content or risk falling victim to shady marketing tactics.

Plus, you’ll get an idea of what other cannabinoids are in the vape/dabs/flower, and in what strength – be it THCA vs delta 9, THCA vs delta 8, or even THCA vs THCO.

What is a Good THCA Percentage?

You know what a high THCA percentage is, but let’s reframe your thinking. What is a GOOD THCA percentage for YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS? Not everyone should chase the highest THCA percentage, after all.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for what the best THCA percentage is. Moderate users often prefer products with a 15-20% THCA concentration. Experienced users might seek products with 25-30% THCA or higher.

As for medical usage, the ideal percentage can vary widely depending on the condition being treated and individual patient needs. Some medical users may benefit from lower THCA percentages for milder, more manageable effects that still let them go about their day.

It’s also important to remember that the THCA percentage is only one piece of the puzzle. The entourage effect shapes the experience you have with cannabis too. This means that if you’re consuming pure THCA, the high might feel a bit flat or one-dimensional.

On the other hand, consuming THCA products that contain the full spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, flavonoids, and other good stuff gives you a more true-to-strain experience. Even though the THCA content may not be crazy, the high will feel complex and more intense.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Right THCA Percentage

So what is a high THCA percentage? We hope this guide has left you feeling clear not just on what sort of THCA content you should look for, but how these numbers are determined and why they matter.

From mellow flower strains to ultra-potent dabs and vapes, potency can vary widely. Remember, bigger numbers don’t always mean a better experience. Start low, go slow, and focus on quality over quantity.

Speaking of quality, head over to the MUNCHIES! storefront for the finest legal THCA products online. We lab test everything we sell and proudly display the COAs for you to confirm the THCA percentage and find the right product for your preferences.

There’s something for everyone, too, from chill vapes to the highest percentage THCA dabs you can get your hands on. Shop now and spoil yourself at MUNCHIES!

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