Is THCA Flower the Same As Weed? [Comparison]

If you’ve looked closely at the THCA flower being sold online and in many brick-and-mortar stores, you’re probably wondering how it differs from the cannabis flower sold in dispensaries. 

The only real difference is the THC content in raw form: THCA contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, which makes it federally legal in the US, whereas marijuana contains more than 0.3% THC and is therefore only legal at the state level in select areas. 

Besides that, the two types of flower are the same: the THCA in THCA flower is converted to THC when heated (as when you smoke it), meaning that both products are equally as potent when you consume them. 

What is THCA Flower?

THCA flower is dried cannabis sativa bud that’s been bred to contain high levels of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) and low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Because it contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, it’s considered hemp and is therefore federally legal. 

THCa turns into THC when heated through a process known as decarboxylation: you get the same effects from high-THCa, low-THC strains as you would from strains with a lower ratio of THCa to THC. 

All cannabis flower strains tend to contain high levels of THCa, but they typically also contain significant percentages of THC, making them federally illegal and therefore not as widely available. 

THCa flower is bred specifically to contain more THCa and less THC. This makes it legal, but due to decarboxylation, it still creates the potent effects you’d expect from regular THC flower.

How Does THCA Flower Compare to Dispensary Weed?

There are four main differences and similarities between THCA flower and dispensary weed: potency and effects, cultivation process, legality, and availability. 

Here’s an overview of each:

Potency & Effects

THCA flower and dispensary weed offer the same potency and effects. 

While dispensary weed may contain more than 0.3% THC in its raw, unheated form (and THCA flower doesn’t), both types of flower are similarly potent because what they mostly contain is THCA – tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, the raw, unactivated form of THC. 

When burned (as when you smoke it), the THCA converts to THC. 

So no matter how much of the cannabinoid content starts as THC versus THCA, if the total amount of both cannabinoids is the same in a THCA strain as in a dispensary strain, they’ll render the same effects (not accounting for terpenes or secondary cannabinoids). 

Cultivation Process

Both THCA flower and dispensary weed are grown and cultivated using similar methods – the cannabis sativa plant may either be grown indoors or outdoors (indoor is more common). 

However, THCA flower producers may take extra precautions to prevent decarboxylation during harvesting and curing, preserving the THCA content and keeping the THC content to a minimum to avoid passing the 0.3% THC threshold while still maintaining potency. 

Legality

THCA flower is federally legal, while dispensary weed is illegal at the federal level and instead only legal in select states that regulate it – just over half of the US, at the time of writing.

However, some states have outlawed THCA flower, and laws around what you can and can’t buy vary by state. 

Because of this, we strongly recommend you check your local laws before purchasing or possessing THCA products.

Availability

Because THCA is federally legal and can be shipped across state lines, it’s widely available from online brands as well as from brick-and-mortar CBD stores in many states. 

Dispensary weed, as its name implies, is primarily available through dispensaries in states where cannabis is legal and regulated. It can be purchased in-store or online for delivery or pickup. 

Note that some states allow medical access if you have a medical marijuana card, but don’t allow recreational cannabis sales.

Does THCA Flower Get You High When Smoked?

THCA flower will create psychoactive effects and produce the classic high associated with cannabis when you smoke it. 

While it contains less than 0.3% THC in raw, unheated form, it contains large amounts of THCA. When heated, this THCA is converted to THC, rendering psychoactive effects. 

This heating process is known as decarboxylation and can occur through smoking, vaping, or cooking. 

Therefore, consuming THCA flower through these methods can result in effects similar to traditional marijuana. 

Is THCA Flower Synthetic or Sprayed?

No, THCA flower is not synthetic, nor is it sprayed with cannabinoids. 

Instead, it is raw, unprocessed flower from hemp plants that contain naturally high levels of THCA and naturally low amounts of THC. 

Unlike some hemp products that are infused with synthetic cannabinoids, THCA flower is cultivated to preserve its natural cannabinoid profile without the need for additives.

Is THCA Flower Safe to Smoke?

When sourced from reputable vendors who provide third-party lab testing, THCA flower is safe to smoke. 

However, THCA is psychoactive and may cause short-term side effects. And as with any product that’s inhaled in the form of a smoke or vapor, there are potential long-term health risks associated with consuming THCA flower. 

Short-term side effects of THCA flower include:

• Dry mouth
• Red eyes
• Increased heart rate
• Impaired short-term memory

Long-term side effects from inhaled consumption of THCA flower include:

• Respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation

If you want to enjoy the benefits of THCA without the risks of inhalation, consider opting for THC edibles or other similar options.

Is THCA Flower Legal?

Yes, THCA flower is legal in the US on the federal level. It contains less than 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis, so it’s considered a hemp product, rather than a marijuana product. Because the THCA in it doesn’t convert to THC until it’s heated, it can be legally sold on the federal level while still offering high potency. 

However, it is important to note that some states have outlawed THCA flower and products containing any level of THC; always check your state’s regulations before purchasing or possessing THCA products.

Where to Buy THCA Flower

If you’re interested in buying THCA flower, you can get it from a few main sources:

• Online Retailers: Websites like Carolina Hemp Cafe offer a variety of lab-tested, federally legal THCA strains. 
• CBD Stores: Many local CBD shops carry THCA products, although product availability varies widely by store. 
• Wholesale Suppliers: For bulk purchases, consider wholesale vendors (we sell THCA flower wholesale), which offer wholesale options for retailers, distributors, and connoisseurs. 

Ensure any vendor provides third-party lab testing to verify product quality and legality.

What to Look for When Buying THCA Flower Online

There are a few main things you’ll want to look for when shopping for THCA flower:

3rd-party lab testing

Only buy THCA flower that’s been 3rd-party lab tested. The hemp market is largely unregulated and there’s a lot of bad quality flower out there. 

At Carolina Hemp Cafe, we’re dedicated to providing the best-quality flower you can buy online: we back that up with lab tests demonstrating THC potency, cannabinoid profile, and lack of contaminants. Every reputable company will do the same. 

All-natural flower

Only buy all-natural THCA flower. This will ensure the flower you buy is free of low-quality additives that don’t add to the experience and may even be harmful.

All-natural flower is richer in naturally-occurring cannabinoids (such as THCA), making it better for both therapeutic and recreational use.

Effects and potency

When you’re shopping for THCA flower, ensure you buy a product that provides the experience you are looking for. There are two main things to consider:

• THCA Percentage: The amount of THCA in the strain will determine how potent it is. Ensure you select a strain that’s appropriate for your preferences and level of experience. High-grade or exotic THCA flower will contain 25% or more THCA, while lower-grade flower will contain less than 20% THCA.
• Other Cannabinoid Content: If THCA flower contains other cannabinoids (whether naturally or through infusion), it will render different effects than THCA flower with minimal amounts of these other cannabinoids. 

Conclusion: THCA Flower is Legal Weed

In essence, THCA flower is just legal weed – it offers the same degree of potency, but due to a small difference in its cannabinoid concentration in raw form, it’s considered a hemp product and is therefore federally legal. 

But as with dispensary cannabis, it’s important you understand what you’re shopping for so you can buy the good stuff that brings you the effects and benefits you’re looking for. Choose THCA flower that’s 3rd-party lab tested and free of artificial additives for the best experience. 

Looking for the best THCA flower online? At Carolina Hemp Cafe, we carry 30+ strains, including exotics, classics, and diamond-infused options. Every strain is federally legal, 3rd-party lab tested, and is shipped directly to your doorstep in childproof containers. Shop our THCA flower today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about the differences between THCA flower and weed.

What is THCA flower?

THCA flower is raw, unheated cannabis that contains high levels of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA), the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. When smoked or vaped, THCA converts into THC, delivering the same effects as traditional weed. 

How is THCA flower legal?

THCA flower is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Because THCA doesn’t turn into THC until heated, it doesn’t count against the THC threshold, which means it’s federally legal and can be purchased online in most US states.

Is THCA flower legal in all states?

No; while THCA flower is federally legal, some states have banned or restricted it. Always check your local laws before buying or possessing THCA products.

What's the difference between THCA and regular weed?

Chemically, they’re nearly identical. The main difference is legal: THCA flower is harvested and sold such that it contains less than 0.3% THC. Once heated, it produces the same effects as dispensary weed.

What is the difference between bud and THCA?

Bud refers to the smokable part of the cannabis plant. THCA is a cannabinoid found in that bud.

Can you buy THCA flower online?

Yes, in most states, you can legally buy THCA flower online without needing a medical card or license.

Does THCA convert to THC when heated?

Yes; heat causes THCA to decarboxylate into THC, which is what produces psychoactive effects when smoked or vaped. 

How is THCA flower made?

THCA flower is grown just like high-quality cannabis, usually indoors under controlled conditions. The key difference is how it's handled post-harvest: it’s carefully dried and cured to preserve THCA content and avoid higher THC content.