Does THCA Make You High?

a green leaf laying on top of a leaf covered rock

THCA has been getting a lot of popularity in the cannabis community, and for a good reason. This cannabinoid is something like the ancestor of delta 9 THC, making it one of the strongest concentrates you can get. Or at least it can be, thanks to its potential.

Basically, THCA turns into delta 9 THC when heated. So, this cannabinoid could be used as delta 9 THC as a hemp product thanks to hemp-derived concentrated called diamonds. This way you can infuse weed, but instead of delta 8 THC extracts, you’ll get a similar experience to THC.

If you are interested in knowing how and if THCA actually gets you high and how this works, we have an article full of information to prepare you as an actual cannaseur. So keep reading if you want to know more about THCA and getting high.

Looking to get high with THCA? Order your THCA products from us and get them delivered straight to your doorstep!

 

Key Takeaways

  • THCA, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a cannabinoid found in hemp. It is considered to be the precursor of delta 9 THC, and it’s not psychoactive as it is.
  • This cannabinoid has great potential to get you high, as it can convert into delta 9 when heat or light is applied.
  • In general, this acid will not show up in a drug test unless you heat it up, as the THCA does not bind to the proteins of our ECS receptors due to the molecule’s size.
  • THCA can be found naturally in the plant, but the best way to actually try it is through a concentrate called diamonds. These can be dabbed or smoked in prerolls.

 

What is THCA?

First, let’s tackle what THCA is. The cannabinoid known as THCA is an acid and non-psychoactive compound that you can find in cannabis and hemp. It is considered one of the six major cannabinoids that can be found in these plants and are somewhat like the precursor of delta 9 THC.

THCA also has several potential wellness benefits. It can reduce and prevent metabolic disease causes, as this study showed. It basically could aid in reducing fat mass and aid with liver functions.

Since THCA is relatively new to the scene, research is still needed to assess its functions as a treatment. That said, users have reported that THCA could be useful for pain management and as an anti-emetic agent.

 

What is the Difference Between THC and THCA, Anyway?

Besides the a in the actual word, there are key differences between these two cannabinoids. First, THCA is somewhat like the parent of THC. While THC can have many forms depending on the carbon chain attached to it, delta 9 THC specifically comes from THCA.

Let’s explain this a little further. Inside the cannabis plant, THC is formed as an acid to regulate the plant’s functions. Then, through heat, most probably coming from the sun and metabolic functions, it turns into delta 9 THC we all know and love.

Now, THCA, on its own, is not psychoactive. As an acid, it needs to be heated to transform into this cannabinoid. Hence why people need to warm or apply light to cannabis to decarboxylate it. This process basically gets rid of the “acid” part of this compound and transforms it into delta 9.

Another key difference between the two is their legal status. delta 9 THC is not a legal substance in most states, as it is considered a controlled substance. THCA is legal as long as its hemp-derived, although some states consider it to be in a gray zone.

 

Does THCA Get You High?

Well, if you eat it in its inactive state, it is highly unlikely you’ll get high. Think of it eating THCA as eating raw hemp right from the field. Since THCA requires heat or light to turn into a psychoactive compound, you’d need to light it up first to feel intoxicated.

This process is called decarboxylation, and it is what most stoned bakers do when they want to add some “magic” to their pastries or brownies. If you have raw cannabis plant, there are some ways to activate THCA naturally, like putting it in the oven in a tray or using a sous vide method.

However, you can also activate THCA in concentrate form by dabbing it directly. We’ll go further in-depth about this in the following section, but since delta 9 flowers and nugs are not as easily accessible, you might want to opt for hemp-derived THCA prerolls instead.

 

Can You Smoke THCA?

Yes, you can smoke THCA! Actually, this is the best way to consume it if you want to feel high. Since THCA is naturally inactive in the plant, you are consuming THCA by smoking regular flowers or buds.

Since legislation around the country changes and not all states have access to medicinal cannabis, our best go-to would be to have hemp prerolls and infuse them with THCA concentrates.

One of the most popular concentrates for THCA are THCA diamonds, which can be added to your favorite jay, or you can just get pre-infused joints from a dispensary. Alternatively, you could get the concentrate and dab it, but this experience is a little tougher and can be a little daunting for first-time users. Also, you’d need a dedicated device like an e-rig.

 

Is THCA Legal?

The short answer to this is yes, since THCA on its own does not contain delta 9 THC in its inactive state. So, as long as it is hemp-derived, you can consume it under the hemp legal framework known as the 2018 Farm Bill. This federal legislation allows for products that contain under 0.3% of THC per dry weight to be sold and consumed freely.

Now, the long answer is a little of a rocky road. Since THCA has the potential to turn into delta 9 THC, it could become a controlled substance in the future. Moreover, some states have specific legislation about acids and salts of delta 9 THC isomers, meaning they are not available in that specific state.

For now, THCA is federally legal as long as it’s hemp-derived. Just be mindful that this cannabinoid is considered to be in a gray zone and that some local legislation might restrict it, so just double-check your state’s legislation to make sure.

 

Will THCA Show Up On a Drug Test?

If you don’t turn THCA into delta 9 THC, it is highly unlikely it will be found on a typical drug test. Since this cannabinoid is fairly new to the market, there aren’t many products yet that have THCA concentrate that is not smokable, but in the future, you might find gummies or gel caps that are focused on wellness goals.

That said, if you do smoke THCA, it will definitely show up in most drug tests. This happens because most tests look for metabolites, or in other words, traces in your metabolism of delta 9 THC.

Since THCA turns into delta 9 THC when heated and then is absorbed into your body, you’ll have traces of this cannabinoid in your body. So if you happen to know if a test is coming soon, we’d recommend stopping consumption at least a week before to stay safe.

 

Final Thoughts: Will THCA Get You High?

THCA has lots of potential. While on its own, it can help with inflammation and other symptoms like pain relief, this acid can be pretty helpful. Now, the potential for getting really high is strong as well.

Since these can be added as inactive products, you can basically spike up your favorite hemp bud with these concentrates.

Moreover, if you don’t like delta 8 THC or find it too mellow for your taste, THCA diamonds are a great way to have a hemp-derived concentrate without having to own a dabbing or e-rig device.

So to sum it up, THCA won’t get you high on its own. Consuming it like that is similar to munching on a cannabis leaf. However, with some love, care, and fire, you can get delicious puffs that also hit pretty strong.

 

Where to Buy THCA Products Online

When looking for THCA products, we really recommend going with reputable brands so you can have the best experience while having tasty products. Here at the Delta Munchies lab, we have some delicious THCA Diamond Infused Pre Rolls and THCA Diamond Sauce Dabs!

THCA really gives that extra punch to typically infused joints. With high-quality concentrate crystals, you’ll be able to get both flavor and potency with our 1.5-gram prerolls. Each of these delicious blunts is infused with THCA diamonds and kief to make them a mouthwatering concentrate experience.

The Double Doinks are available in three delicious flavors which match the three base strains. If you want to relax and enjoy the hit, the Champagne Slushie is perfect for some bougie-tasting tokes. Or, for some energetic session, the sativa Berry Marmalade is sweet and invigorating. Last but not least, lovers of both worlds can try the tasty and decadent Peach Cobbler hybrid, perfect for enjoying a get-over or watching something with friends.

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