What is THCA?
With the hype surrounding THCA products - it certainly would appear as an exciting new cannabinoid. However, that's just not the case.
What is THCA?
THCA, or Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the main chemical compound produced by type I THC dominant cannabis plants. Once decarboxylated, aka heated, it turns to Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, or what is commonly known as THC.
Cannabis plants naturally produce only the acid forms of cannabinoids in their flowers, THCA, CBDA, CBGA, CBDVA, THCVA, etc. Their is no mechanism in the plant for producing Delta 9 THC, or CBD, or CBG, once again just the acid forms.
Where Does Delta 9 THC Come From?
Heat is the main catalyst that converts cannabinoids the acid form to THC, CBD, CBG, THCV, etc. Once the flower is harvested, small conversions virtually always occur through drying, trimming, rough handling, and exposure to UV light.
Smoking, vaping, cooking, or heavy heat of any kind is when the THCA really converts to Delta 9 THC.
What Is The Difference Between THCA and THC Flower?
Freshly harvested cannabis flower that is rushed to a laboratory will often show virtually no Delta 9 THC, but high amounts of THCA. This is because the THCA has not been given the conditions to convert, or degrade. You can see an example below THCA "Hemp". It boasts almost 24% THCA and 0.21% Delta 9 THC. 
The minor amounts of THCA is converted into Delta 9 THC during harvesting, drying, trimming, curing, transport, and aging of THC flower are small, but still testable. Generally speaking a well cared for flower dried in temperatures below 70 degrees and handled gently will generally end up with between 0.5-1% testable Delta 9 THC.
Below are sample results from THC flower grown a recreationally licensed farm in Oregon. This flower was sold in adult use cannabis dispensaries. It boasts around 38% THCA and 0.6% Delta 9 THC. The difference between 0.3% and 0.6% is extremely small - not to mention pointless when the goal is for people to smoke the flower and convert as much as possible to Delta 9 before it goes in their lungs. 
What is Total THC?
Laboratories, when testing flower for THC levels use what is called total THC. This is what dispensary post on the packaging of flower and other products. Total THC is essentially total potential Delta 9 THC a flower is likely to contain after its decarboxylated/heated.
The calculation for total THC is (THCA * 0.877) + Delta 9 THC. Almost the entire sum of the THC in THC flower is composed of THCA as can be seen in the COA's above.
Total THC is also what the USDA requires hemp growers test their plants for 30 days before harvest. Because hemp farmers must test their plants for total THC, they cannot grow THCA/THC genetics because they will have too much THC even at a young age. If you are curious about why you can't grow THCA as hemp - read more here.
So THCA Is The Same As THC?
THC flower and seeds are the same as THCA flower and seeds. The THCA the masses have come to fall in love with is the same cannabinoid they already loved - just more available because of a legal loophole. While crafty vendors have figured out a quasi legal way to play the game, there are few difference between the finished products. Only products such as edibles, drinkables, and tinctures - where the material has already been decarboxylated and does require heating, will you find large amounts of Delta 9.
The THCA Loophole
If you would like a complete rundown of the legal loophole, and how vendors are playing the game, visit our blog here.
Grow Your Own!
Love THCA? Grow your own. We've got a big lineup of feminized, stable, heavy producing varieties - including the industries first triploid cannabis seeds. If you've made it this far, use the code THCA at checkout for 20% off your order.
