In this post, we'll dive into everything you need to know about THCa, including its chemistry, psychoactive effects, legal status, and potential benefits.

In addition, we’ll give you some helpful recommendations for getting started with THCa flower and other cannabis products.

Visit the Rare Harvest Shop to browse our selection of high-quality flower, concentrates, edibles, and more. Subscribe for recurring orders to save 15%.

Table of Contents

• What Is THCa?

• How Is THCa Hemp Different From THC?

• What Are the Effects of THCa?

• How Do You Get Started With THCa?

• What Are the Benefits of THCa?

• Is THCa Legal?

• Will THCa Show Up on a Drug Test?

• How Does Mood Select Its THCa Flower?

• THCa FAQs

What Is THCa?

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is one of the many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant.

It’s the precursor to THC — the cannabinoid responsible for the high associated with weed. THCa hemp looks, smells, tastes, and elevates in familiar ways.

How Is THCa Hemp Different From THC?

THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is part of the chemical structure of the raw form of cannabis plants.

THCa is not psychoactive in its raw state. However, once cannabis buds are smoked or heated, THCa becomes more potent.

What Are the Effects of THCa?

As we mentioned above, heat makes the cannabinoid more potent.

At Rare Harvest, we produce ultra high quality American-grown strains with specific cannabinoid ratios and terpene profiles so we can confidently set you up for a good time.

How Do You Get Started With THCa?

Finding the right amount of THCa for you depends on factors like your individual tolerance, weight, experience, and the effects that you want from smoking or vaping THCa.

If you’re a beginner, start with a small amount to gauge your sensitivity and gradually increase as needed.

If you’re a seasoned vet, you may have a higher tolerance, which means you might want a product that includes a higher concentration of THCa.

Regardless of your experience level, always be mindful of the psychoactive effects of heated THCa and start off slow.

Is THCa Legal?

The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 — commonly known as the Farm Bill — authorized hemp production and removed hemp and hemp seeds from the DEA list of Controlled Substances.

As a result, hemp-derived THCa, containing less than 0.3% THC, is available online in theRare Harvest Shop and at dispensaries in many states.

All Rare Harvest Products comply with the 2018 Farm Bill, which defines hemp as cannabis containing “no more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis.”

Although THCa is related to THC, it is not the same compound. For this reason, the amount of it that a harvested bud contains does not affect its legal status.

However, state laws vary regarding cannabinoids like THCa, Delta-8, and even CBD, so make sure you check state-level regulations regarding the cultivation, sale, and use of THCa-rich hemp products before you order.

Will THCa Show Up on a Drug Test?

Unlike THC, THCa isn't psychoactive in its raw form.

However, THCa and other cannabinoids can cause people to fail a drug test. Take this into consideration before using any Rare Harvest products.

Generally, you can expect cannabinoids to linger in your saliva for up to 24 hours, one to two days in your bloodstream, three to 30 days in urine, and up to 90 days in hair.

These are just estimates, though, and individual cases can vary.

If you have a urinalysis test — the standard for most employers — coming up, make sure to skip all THCa products, including gummies, tinctures, and flower, for at least 90 days.

THCa FAQs

Q: What Is THCa dabbing?

A: A dab is a highly concentrated cannabis product that you vaporize and smoke using a pipe called a dab rig. THCa dabs come in multiple forms, including hash, crumble, live resin, diamonds moonrocks, and more.

These are all powerful products that are best for seasoned vets who are comfortable with vaporizing cannabis.

Q: What are the main side effects of THCa?

A: When you use heated THCa, you can expect to feel pleasant and intense psychoactive effects.

Depending on the strain of cannabis that you choose, the cannabinoid can alter your mood in unique ways, from making you feel inspired to getting you ready for intimacy.

If you're taking any prescription medications, make sure to talk to your doctor before smoking or consuming THCa.

Q: Is THCa safe to eat?

A: While THCa turns into a psychoactive compound when heated, it doesn’t get you high when consumed in its raw form. However, some people consider it a raw food supplement — this isn't our definition.

Juicing fresh cannabis plants is the most popular way to ingest raw cannabis buds and get potential therapeutic effects from THCa.

However, the jury is still out on using cannabis plant material as an ingredient in juices — more research is needed on the effects.

Visit the Rare Harvest Shop to browse a wide selection of premium THCa flower and more.