All my weed packaging has a label that shows the percentage of THC but the label also has THCa, why? If you've ever wondered what the differences are in between these two, this is article is for you.
We're going to learn what THCa actually is and how it acts differently in your brain and why your cannabis products have two different percentages on the label for THCa and THC Delta-9.
What Is THC-A?
Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid or THCa is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in raw and living cannabis plants and the molecular structure of THCa and THC look very similar but there is one huge
difference. THCa has a carboxyl group attached to and THC does not which is the game changer that I'll explain next.
How THCA Is Different Than THC
This added carboxyl group that I discussed earlier that THCa carries is much different in shape and bigger size which prevents it from easily getting into our brain's. Our body has an endocannabinoid system and CB1 and CB2 receptors are how cannabis interacts with our bodies. CB2 receptors are mostly in your immune system but CB1 receptors are mainly in your brain and are mostly responsible for how cannabis makes you feel. THCa alone can't give you that classic psychoactive stoned feeling that most of us seek because it really can't get into your brain at least not until we convert it to THC with a little bit of magic called heat.
Converting THC-A Into THC
THCa is a precursor to THC and the change from one to another takes place just by adding heat in a process called decarboxylation. Decarbon can happen slowly over time after harvesting by simply being exposed to sunlight or it could be done with an external heat source like an oven or more commonly just from a lighter when you've set your cannabis buds on fire. When the cannabis plant grows, it grows with THCa in the trichomes and as the buds dry from the temp of the dry room, the cannabis flower will slowly start to convert a tiny bit of the THCa into THC but still not enough to get you high at least not until you apply the fire from the lighter. Same theory can be applied when making edibles and decarbing your buds in the oven before mixing it with your favorite brownie mix or gummies.
THC Labels Explained
You will see two main THC percentages on your labels that you'd be interested in the most if you're mission is to get high and that's THCa and THC Delta-9. The percentage for THCa which is usually high and a percentage for THC which is usually a lot lower. Once again, we need the Delta-9 to get baked but its lower because the low amount of heat that the plant has been through after harvest. The drying room temp levels are only in the 70s so only the tiniest amounts of THCa converts into THC and that's why you're seeing the low amount of THC on the label. The THCa percentage remains in its acidic precursor form to THC, but it will be converted when you get it home, spark it up and let the magic take over.
Our THCa buds, prerolls and diamonds have high THCa percentages and federally legal to ship to your doorstep.