15 FAQ’s About THCA

It’s fine to be skeptical of THCA. In fact, it’s admirable.

With the illicit market running rampant across the United States, particularly in regions where cannabis is illegal, we’re thrilled to see consumers question which products are 1) good quality and 2) safe to consume.

Enter THCA. You’ve likely seen various products featuring this cannabinoid and wondered: is this just another marketing gimmick? Is THCA safe, and is it anywhere close to the real Delta-9 THC experience?

We’ve compiled a list of the top facts and FAQs to clear up misconceptions about this relatively new cannabinoid. Read on to discover more about THCA

Before we dive into the more specific FAQs about THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid), let’s understand what it actually is. THCA is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in hemp and raw cannabis plants. But here’s what stops people from trying it: THCA isn’t psychoactive in its raw form.

The good part? THCA turns into Delta-9 THC when heated. It’s the same reason why we decarboxylate weed when making edibles—to activate THCA and convert it to psychoactive Delta-9 THC.

Because THCA naturally exists in cannabis before Delta-9 THC forms, it is considered the precursor to Delta-9 THC. This means that the THCA percentage in raw cannabis indicates how much Delta-9 THC will be available once heated, making it a key factor in determining potency.

As mentioned above, THCA and Delta-9 THC are more similar than they are different.

Think of THCA and Delta-9 THC as relay runners—one starts the race, and the other finishes it. Both are essential to delivering the full cannabis experience.

However, their main difference lies in their chemical structure. THCA is the acidic precursor to Delta-9 THC and is non-psychoactive in its raw form (it doesn’t cause a high).

When THCA is heated, it undergoes decarboxylation, which removes a “carboxyl group” to convert it into psychoactive Delta-9 THC.

THCA, in its raw form, isn’t psychoactive. If ingested without heating, it won’t bind to CB1 receptors and won’t produce a high.

Once THCA is decarboxylated, it can effectively bind to cannabinoid receptors and delivers an almost identical high as regular THC would. Around 100mg of THCA converts to about 87mg of Delta-9 THC, meaning you often get 87% of the product’s original strength.

For a heavy-hitting yet legal buzz, we always look to Binoid. Their True Strain 7 Gram Disposable Vape packs seven whopping grams of various cannabinoids—with THCA as the star of the show.

Depending on which of the 10 available strains you choose, Binoid infuses different blends of:

• THCA
• Delta 9P
• THC-H, PHC
• THCV
• CBC
• Live resin terpenes for a powerful entourage effect

Expect Indicas to have more Delta 9P, Hybrids with THC-H, and Sativas containing more THCV and CBC.

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One of the most common THCA products on the market is THCA flower. These are simply hemp plants grown with high concentrations of THCA.

High THCA strains often reach potencies of 25-30% THCA, but we’ve even seen heavy hitters reach 40%+. As a general rule of thumb, anything above 30% THCA is extremely potent.

For comparison, a high THC concentration in traditional cannabis flower usually falls between 20-30% THC, while premium strains may push 35% THC.

In its raw form, THCA does not interact strongly with CB1 receptors, meaning it won’t produce psychoactive effects. However, some research suggests that THCA may have potential neuroprotective properties, which are being explored for their effects on inflammation, brain function, and overall wellness.

Once converted to Delta-9 THC, it binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, influencing mood, memory, coordination, and sensory perception. This activation is what produces cannabis’ well-known euphoric feeling and relaxing effects.

The answer to this question depends on whether or not you are heating THCA flower before consuming it.

If you were to eat the raw flower or juice it in a smoothie, THCA wouldn’t cause effects because it hasn’t converted to Delta-9 THC. However, whenever THCA is heated, like sparked by a lighter or baked in the oven, it converts to Delta-9 THC and produces the same effects.

THCA comes from real cannabis and hemp plants, meaning THCA flower is indeed real weed. THCA flower is simply cannabis flower with high concentrations of the THCA cannabinoid. It may also contain other cannabinoids like THC, or terpenes, and flavonoids to make it the real thing.

Due to its legal nature (which we’ll get to below), countless brands have tapped into the THCA market to help users legally purchase weed.

Traveling with THCA flower, even for medical reasons, is risky due to its legal gray area. While THCA itself is non-psychoactive, it does convert to THC when heated, which makes it legally questionable. The 2018 Farm Bill allows hemp-derived products with less than 0.3% THC, but some states and TSA agents may not differentiate THCA from illegal cannabis.

TSA focuses on security threats, not cannabis enforcement, but if they find THCA flower, it could be confiscated, and legal trouble depends on local laws. If traveling, check regulations beforehand or consider alternative, clearly labeled hemp products for peace of mind.

THCA can be decarboxylated in a few different ways, with the most common and easiest methods being:

• Smoking or vaping, which causes instant decarboxylation
• Baking at 230-245°F for 30-45 minutes for edibles
• Cooking with cannabis in oils or butter
• Exposing to sunlight/air over time (much less efficient)

When vaping, THCA converts to Delta-9 THC around 315-330°F. This might be the most optimal way to experience THCA since it might preserve more potency than the scorching hot temperatures of combustion in smoking.

This really comes down to your preferences and what you expect from a cannabis experience. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Smoking: The quickest way to feel the effects of THCA is by smoking THCA flower. However, high combustion temperatures can burn off some cannabinoids and terpenes, reducing potency and flavor.

Vaping: Vaping THCA also causes fast-acting effects, but unlike smoking, it allows for precise temperature control, preventing the loss of cannabinoids and terpenes due to high heat.

Edibles: THCA edibles may be the safest method to consume the cannabinoid, keeping lung health better in check than smoking or vaping. Most THCA edibles take about 45 minutes to two hours to fully kick in, with some fast-acting options available. THCA edibles might decrease slightly in potency since they interact with powerful stomach acid and travel through the lengthy digestive system.

The Best THCA Vape

Our recommendation for a THCA vape? Binoid’s THCA + Delta 9P 5 Gram Disposable – Blazed is one of the strongest THCA vapes on the market.

Not only does it contain 5 grams of premium liquid diamonds THCA, but THC-JD and also Delta 9P, which often produces even stronger effects than Delta-9 THC.

Paired with live resin terpenes, these vapes produce a deeply immersive buzz with a power-packed entourage effect. Choose from the 10 available strains.

Save 25% at Binoid with code HERB25 at checkout.

On average, THCA stays in your system for 5-30 days, depending on use. Since THCA converts into Delta-9 THC when heated, it will show up on a drug test just like regular THC. If you have an upcoming test, it’s best to avoid THCA products.

Estimated detection times:

• Occasional use (once or twice): 2-5 days
• Regular use (weekly): 5-10 days
• Heavy daily use: 30+ days

Even if the product is hemp-derived, it still converts to Delta-9 THC, meaning standard drug tests won’t differentiate it from traditional cannabis.

Yes, THCA flower is safe to smoke, and it is essentially the same as regular cannabis in terms of safety. The only difference is that THCA flower is cultivated to contain high levels of THCA and less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, making it legally classified as hemp.

There are some concerns that THCA hemp flower is “synthetic” or chemically altered, but that’s not the case. It’s a naturally grown cannabis product bred to have high THCA levels while staying within the legal THC limit.

However, like smoking any cannabis product, there are potential health risks, including exposure to combustion byproducts, which may affect lung health over time. If you’re concerned about respiratory effects, vaping or edibles may be safer alternatives.

The legality of THCA can be pretty confusing. After all, isn’t it just non-decarboxylated Delta-9 THC? Yes, but it’s also technically its own non-psychoactive cannabinoid.

Per the 2018 Farm Bill in the United States, products must stay below 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. But since there’s nothing said about THCA, it falls under a legal loophole and can be shipped to most states nationwide.

Vapes like the new THCA Disposable 2 Gram – Gourmet Desserts from Binoid are completely legal. This mouthwatering vape packs two grams of Binoid’s premium THCA distillate alongside their brand-new hash rosin dessert terpenes.

Plus, they’re available in some of the most delicious strains you’ll ever find:

• Indica: Blueberry Muffin, Key Lime Pie
• Sativa: Strawberry Cheesecake
• Hybrid: Peaches & Cream

Grab yours now and save 25% with code HERB25 at Binoid.

THCA diamonds are a highly potent cannabis extract made up of nearly pure THCA.

These crystalline structures, often reaching 99%+ purity, are created using advanced extraction methods like closed-loop extraction and recrystallization. Because of their extreme potency, THCA diamonds are commonly used in dabs, vapes, or infused into THCA flower for a stronger effect.

Thinking of where to buy THCA products online? Binoid.

Their impressive catalog is packed with THCA options ranging from vapes and edibles, all of which contain different formulations of cannabinoids to produce a wicked entourage effect. We’ve trusted this brand for years as the #1 source for new, quality cannabinoids.

Whether that’s THCA, Delta-8 THC, or even heavy hitters like THC-P—they’ve got it all. Save big for a limited time and use code HERB25 at checkout.