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Whether you consume cannabis for its anticipated health benefits or for the euphoric feeling it gives, THCa is very important. THCa is the precursor of Delta 9 THC. It won’t get you high nor do you feel any intoxicating effects from consumption unless it’s heated first.
Heating THCa activates the cannabinoid, which converts it into the beloved Delta 9 THC consumers often want. While most people pay attention to THC levels on their cannabis, the THCa levels actually make a huge difference in its overall effects to the user.
The heating process is called decarboxylation, or decarb for short. THCa needs this extra process because while it’s only one of the 100 plus cannabinoids found in cannabis, it is oddly shaped and larger than the rest, preventing it from fitting inside cannabinoid receptors, specifically CB1 receptors found in the brain. Since it does not fit inside the molecule until heated, users don’t feel high.
Some people swear they get high by eating raw cannabis. Since raw cannabis plants do not contain activated THCa, getting high from eating the plant is scientifically impossible.
Don’t waste your cannabis by eating it raw unless you juice the fresh leaves off a live plant. You will get some very special benefits, but it still won’t get you high. If your preferred method of consumption is edibles, then just be sure to decarb the flower first and make canna butter or oil. You can then cook with it for the experience you are looking for!
Many people eat raw cannabis anticipating spectacular health benefits. A growing number of consumers consider raw cannabis to be a superfood, ranking up there with foods like quinoa, kale, and spinach.
To get high, don’t eat your cannabis raw: heat your cannabis through the decarboxylation process. This simple process converts THCa to Delta 9 THC so users experience the out-of-this-world euphoria they desire.
Heating cannabis, or decarbing, can be done in a few different ways. Most cannabis consumers perform the decarb process by heating THCa through smoking cannabis. Each type of decarb process converts THCa to Delta 9 THC differently, thus giving a higher or lower conversion rate – and an intoxicating feeling after use.
Some of the most common and effective heating techniques:
Every purchase made at a cannabis dispensary includes a label indicating the percentage of Delta 9 THC, THCa, and other cannabis ingredients as measured by an independent, third-party laboratory. The numbers written on the package matter, but if you are like most people, you’re looking at that label wrong.
Cannabis consumers often focus attention on the Delta 9 THC levels in their cannabis product, assuming it is the only number that affects the potency of the product. Delta 9 THC levels are important, so don’t neglect learning the THCA %. The levels of THCa contained in a product make a difference in its effects, psychoactive and otherwise.
Delta 9 THC levels matter, but since heating cannabis can burn away some of its cannabinoid content, those numbers do not always indicate potency. While you should grab a product that contains high levels of Delta 9 THC, do not forget the THCa levels.
Products with high levels of both Delta 9 THC and THCa provide users with maximum benefits. Even when THC is lost through heating, THCa is still there to convert to THC.
The question everyone wants and needs to know, is THCa legal under federal law? Most people find laws surrounding the legality of cannabis confusing because they differ significantly from state to state and sometimes, from county to county. Possessing Delta 9 THC products in non-legal states can land you a ticket, or worse, in jail with a criminal record. You certainly do not want this to happen. We are here to protect you by providing the answers you need surrounding the legality of Delta 9 THC and THCa.
Recreational marijuana (THC) is legal in 19 states. Medical marijuana is legal in 37 states. Possession of products containing D9THC concentrations of 0.3% or higher is illegal in the remaining states. On the other hand, edibles with less than .3% of Delta 9 THC on a dry weight basis is federally legal, and these products are considered hemp products in the terms of the law. They are quite potent and enjoyable as well!
THCa, on the other hand, is completely legal in all 50 U.S. states. Since it is not classified as a psychoactive and not listed as a scheduled substance, anyone, anywhere, can legally possess and consume THCa as often and in any form they wish.
A few extra tips you should know concerning the legality of THCa:
THCa side effects are nearly non-existent but mimic the effects of CBD when users do experience them. Sleepiness and/or anxiety are the two most common side effects of THCa. Most people experience side effects only in rare cases when ingesting THCa in large quantities.
When heated, the effects of converted THCa are almost immediate. In raw form, the effects of THCa can take up to a couple of hours to peak. This differs for each person based on the method, quantity, and quality of the THCa consumed.
This differs from each user, the consumption method, quantity and type of THCa used, and other factors such as your personal tolerance level. For example, a THCa concentrate can provide users with effects lasting four to five hours. A THCa edible can provide all day effects depending on the number of milligrams the edibles are that you are consuming. Edibles also take 1-3 hours to kick in so don’t make the mistake of thinking the edibles are weak and eat more to get your desired effects. This will result in a less than positive experience. You can find some of the best edibles here.
Consuming raw cannabis containing THCa will not cause a negative drug test. Heating THCa in any capacity changes things since you will absorb THC no matter how much cannabis is decarboxylated. THCa can show up on a drug test in its activated form.
The THCa decarb process removes the extra carboxyl molecule that prevents it from fitting inside the CB1 receptor and blocks the psychoactive effect. Transforming THCa into THC requires extended exposure to heat at a temperature of 220 – 240 degrees F.
THCa is a cannabinoid acid, CBD is a cannabinoid, and the two are not the same. Both compounds are structurally different but may offer some of the same benefits. CBD provides no intoxicating effects and may provide health benefits to the user.
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