You probably already know that THC is the compound in cannabis that gives the plant its psychoactive effects. But you may be asking yourself: what is THCA? Well, THCA is a precursor of THC, meaning that the compound turns into THC when cannabis dries or gets exposed to high heat. In this blog post, we’re diving into cannabis chemistry, benefits, and more to bring you the five main differences between THC vs. THCA. 

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol and THCA is short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. The two compounds differ in their chemical structures due to the presence of a carboxyl group in THCA, which contributes to the higher acidity of this substance compared to THC. 

In simple terms, think of the carboxyl group as a chemical accessory that can be easily removed when exposed to heat or other specific conditions. This process is known as decarboxylation. During decarboxylation, THCA loses this carboxyl group (COOH), which is a carbon atom (C), two oxygen atoms (O), and a hydrogen atom (H). When it sheds this group, it becomes THC.

The chemical process described above explains why eating raw cannabis won’t get you high, yet the baked weed in edibles can be incredibly potent. 

THC induces its characteristic high by binding to the CB1 receptors in the endocannabinoid system, which is located primarily in the brain and central nervous system. This binding triggers a cascade of neurochemical responses, leading to altered perception, mood enhancement, relaxation, and sometimes other sensations such as hunger. 

In contrast, THCA does not produce any noticeable psychoactive effects when consumed. This is because THCA does not directly interact with CB1 receptors in the same way as THC. People have become interested in THCA because of possible health benefits that we’ll explore in the next section, but the compound has no use as a mind-altering substance (unless, of course, you heat it up to create THC). 

THC may be known for its psychoactive properties, but it also has several potential health benefits. The compound may help alleviate chronic pain by interacting with the endocannabinoid system and reducing pain signals. Additionally, THC can help improve appetite, making it beneficial for cancer patients dealing with lack of appetite due to chemotherapy. 

THCA is also being studied for its potential therapeutic benefits, some of which are believed to be different from those of THC. The non-psychoactive substance is considered an anti-inflammatory compound and may help reduce pain without the high that comes from THC. 

Some preliminary research also suggests that THCA could have neuroprotective properties, making it potentially helpful for neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, THCA is believed to have anti-emetic properties, meaning it could help reduce nausea and vomiting.

Most people are familiar with the countless ways that THC is consumed—smoked in a pipe or joint, vaporized and baked, just to name a few. But how is THCA consumed, given its chemical instability and tendency to turn into THC? There are crystalline concentrates known as THCA diamonds, but these are generally intended for vaping, which turns the substance into THC to achieve the desired psychoactive effects. 

If you want to reap the potential health benefits of THCA, one of the easiest methods is to incorporate raw cannabis into your diet. One way to consume raw cannabis is to juice it—leaves, stems, buds and all, if you want, since all parts of the plant are edible. Many people don’t find the taste particularly palatable, but you can always mix the juice into a smoothie with fresh fruit for more sweetness and nutrition. 

While legislation regarding THC varies state by state, it’s still illegal and classified as a Schedule I controlled substance at the federal level. THCA, however, exists in a bit of a legal gray zone. It’s technically legal at a federal level, since it’s not included in the national Controlled Substances List and cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC by weight is permitted. Of course, you should always check the laws of your state before making any assumptions.