Cannabis 101: THCa - What is it?

— CBTS Staff Report

THCa stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. When cannabis is growing it makes cannabinoids as carboxylic acids that most often convert into non-acidic compounds through a process called decarboxylation. Almost all cannabinoids start off in their acidic form which have differing structures and effects than that of their non-acidic versions. THCa, although abundant in fresh cannabis, is unstable under controlled storage conditions and when exposed to light and/or heat it readily decarboxylates into THC.

In other (or plain English) words: When THCa is exposed to heat, such as when smoking, vaping, dabbing, or cooking, it will convert into the intoxicating, beloved cannabinoid THC.

WHAT DOES THCa DO?

THCa is considered non-psychoactive meaning you do not experience a “high” when taking it. This is due to the fact that THCa does not bind to CB1 receptors, the receptors that have a high binding affinity for THC. Research has shown that THCa does not seem to bind much to either of the two major cannabinoid receptors.

It has, however, been verified that extracts that are predominantly made up of THCa have been known to have anti-inflammatory and shown to reduce nausea and vomiting. THCa is also an effective neuroprotectant, so it is beneficial in the treatment of such conditions as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. It can also help to stimulate the appetite in patients suffering from cachexia and anorexia nervosa. Most impressively, research shows that THCa helps to slow the proliferation of cancerous cells.

HOW TO TAKE

THCa When smoking cannabis you are decarboxylating it converting the THCa into regular THC. This means that in order to absorb THCa you’ll either need to find a freshly made extract of it or you can ingest raw cannabis. There are several concentrates meant for dabbing that are advertised as being high in THCa but these will convert over time into THC depending on how much light and room temperature heat it is exposed to.

While eating a nug of cannabis is not recommended (or generally pleasant), grinding fresh bud into something edible is a fine method for intaking THCa without decarboxylating it. Try adding ground bud to a smoothie along with other superfoods like kale or avocado to get the most health benefits from a delicious treat.

IS THCa LEGAL?

THCa’s legality is a thorny subject. Even though THCa itself is not psychoactive, it is still considered part of the cannabis plant and will convert to THC if consistently exposed to heat. It can also degrade to the semi-intoxicating CBN, also considered a cannabis-derived substance. Some US outlets have begun selling THCa products over the counter, no medical card required, but this ultimately depends on local and state laws, and shouldn’t be taken as a guarantee.