What is THCA vs THC?
THCA is the naturally occurring cannabinoid found in the marijuana cannabis plant. It’s molecule is Delta9-THCA, or Δ9-THCA. The delta stands for which carbon atom the double bond is located on.
Cannabis plants grow THCA crystals in their trichome heads. THCA is also called diamonds. It’s THC in crystal form. It forms the crystal form by having the ‘A’ which stands for acid. THCA’s molecule has an acid functional group.
THC refers to the activated form. THCA is activated by heat through a decarboxylation reaction. This occurs naturally. But is also done with heat through distillation or baking in oven. THC molecule is Δ9-THC and is used in vape pens.
THCA Profile
- Appearance: white crystals, powder, wet sand
- Color: white, yellow, amber, orange
- Cannabinoids: Δ9-THCA
- Total THC: 87% THC
- Concentrates: live resin, diamonds, isolate
- Common Uses: dabs, joint infusion
THC Profile
- Appearance: Clear, liquid, oil
- Color: pale yellow, yellow, orange, amber
- Cannabinoids: Δ9-THC
- Total THC: 100% THC
- Concentrates: distillate oil, liquid diamonds, decarbed live resin
- Common Uses: vapes, edibles, syringes, joint infusion
THCA vs THC Percentage
THCA and THC have are both THC, but they have different percentages because one is in the unactivated form.
THCA Potency Percentages:
- 0% Δ9-THC
- 99% Δ9-THCA
- 87% Total THC since mass is lost during decarboxylation as carbon dioxide gas.
THC Potency Percentages:
- 99% Δ9-THC
- 0% Δ9-THCA
- 99% Total THC since it’s already activated (decarboxylated).
What Are The Effects of THCA vs THC
Eating THCA will not get you high. Dabbing THCA will get you high because the heat activates it when vaporized. THCA turns into THC with heat.
THC is already activated allowing you to eat it and get high. Dabbing THCA and THC give the same effects because they become the same molecule.
THC gives a psychoactive high that is different from person to person. Consult your physician for guidance on product types and dosing.
THC does not impair you like alcohol, and it’s not physically addictive. THC is habit forming.
Why Is THC Better?
THC is better because it’s activated and ready to get you high. That means you can eat it. Eating THCA will not get you high.
Also, THC is an oil. This makes it more versatile – you can load it into a vape cartridge. You cannot put THCA crystals in a vape cartridge.
Delta 8 THC vs THCA
Delta 8 THC (or Δ8-THC) is the sister compound to normal THC (Δ9-THC). Both are activated forms of THC meaning they have been decarboxylated.
Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC have nearly the same molecular structure. Except the double bond is shifted one carbon atom.
Delta 8 THC gives a milder high than Delta 9, but it still does give a psychoactive high.
THC Molecule And Meaning
THC stands for Tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the psychoactive compound found in marijuana cannabis.
‘THC’ commonly refers to the activated, decarboxylated form (Δ9-THC). Whereas THCA is the virgin cannabinoid in the plant while it’s growing.
The red circle shows the carboxyl group thats represents the ‘A’ in THCA. This prohibits the compound from getting you high unless activated to THC by heat.
What is a Cannabis THC Concentrate?
This refers to a concentrated form of THC made by extracting cannabis flowers. Extraction can be done with hydrocarbons like butane or by mechanical means like water to knock off trichome heads.
The first type of THC concentrate is THC crude (aka BHO crude). It’s called Live Resin when made with fresh frozen wet cannabis flowers. THC crude is a thick brown syrup of oil. It contains cannabinoids, terpenes, and other impurity compounds. The plant cellulose is left behind in the spent biomass.
THC crude gets post processed through purging or distillation. This makes other THC concentrates such as distillate oil, wax, and shatter.
What is a THCA Concentrate Dab?
THC concentrates are sold as is as dabs or can be infused into other products like gummy edibles. The most popular types of dabs in California 2022 are Live Resin, Live Rosin, and Diamonds.
Legacy dabs are still popular in certain parts of America such as wax, shatter, and hash. Advancements in cannabis technology and biomass processing has increased in recent years.
What Are Weed Concentrates?
Other types of concentrate can be made at home such as Rick Sampson Oil. This is made with THC crude from ethanol. Making Rick Sampson Oil at home involves soaking cannabis in ethanol. Done in a glass mason jar over time. The alcohol extracts the oils. Next you filter the alcohol extract. Then you boil off the alcohol. This leaves a viscous, black, gooey weed concentrate called Rick Sampson Oil.
Hash is another popular weed concentrate. Hash is also called kief (or keef). Its the trichome heads on the plants. They look like mini mushrooms. The trichomes are the part of the plant that contain the cannabinoids and terpenes. Keef tests around 50% THC compared to flower testing at 35% THC.
FAQ
What to buy thc vs thca?
Only purchase THCA if for dabbing. Otherwise you need to activate it with heat. THC oil is what comes in vape carts and edibles