What Are THCA Concentrates? [Full Guide]

THCA concentrates are refined cannabis sativa products that contain tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in high concentrations. 

While THCA is non-psychoactive in its raw form, THCA concentrates are heated during use, converting the THCA into THC, the cannabinoid known to produce euphoric, uplifting psychoactive effects. 

In this article, we’re going to break down what THCA concentrates are, how they’re made, different types of THCA concentrates, and how to use them. Let’s get into it.

What Are THCA Concentrates?

THCA concentrates (also called THCA dabs) are highly refined cannabis sativa products that contain high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA). 

If they are made to contain less than 0.3% THC, THCA concentrates are considered hemp products (THCA is not the same as THC, which makes high potency and federally legal status possible at the same time). 

THCA concentrates are designed to deliver potent effects and are ideal if you’re an experienced connoisseur looking for an intense experience. Concentrates are extracted to remove plant material, leaving behind pure, potent cannabinoids.

How Are THCA Concentrates Made?

Because there are so many different types of THCA concentrates, the exact method used to make THCA concentrates will vary slightly depending on the product.

That being said, the general step-by-step process is as follows: 

1. Harvesting: High-THCA cannabis plants are selected and harvested.
2. Extraction: The cannabinoids are extracted using methods such as CO2, butane, or ethanol. Solventless techniques like heat and pressure may also be used for options like live rosin.
3. Purification: After extraction, the material undergoes a refinement process to remove unwanted compounds like plant waxes, chlorophyll, and lipids.
4. Crystallization: For products like THCA diamonds, the extract is subjected to specific conditions that encourage crystal formation, resulting in ultra-pure concentrates.
5. Curing: The final product is cured or dried, ensuring stability and optimal quality.

This process creates potent, pure concentrates that pack powerful and distinctive effects. 

Types of THCA Concentrates

There are many different types of THCA concentrates. Here’s a bit about each of the main ones:

THCA diamonds

THCA diamonds are crystalline concentrates that boast exceptionally high purity and potency, making them one of the strongest THCA extracts available. 

Often exceeding 99% potency, THCA diamonds deliver a clean, intense high when heated and converted into THC. These glass-like crystals can be dabbed, sprinkled onto flower, used to make edibles, and used in other ways for a powerful, fast-acting experience.

THCA wax

THCA wax is a soft, pliable concentrate that has a buttery, easy-to-handle texture, making it a favorite for dabbing. Its rich terpene content and high THCA potency ensure a flavorful, aromatic experience. 

Best used with a dab rig or vaporizer, THCA wax melts smoothly under heat, producing potent and fast-acting effects.

THCA sugar wax

THCA sugar wax is a soft, granular concentrate that closely resembles traditional wax but has a sugary, crystallized texture. THCA sugar wax can be white, but it often has an amber color due to high terpene content. 

Sugar wax offers high THCA potency combined with a full-spectrum cannabinoid profile, making it a flavorful and effective option for dabbing. 

Thanks to its easy consistency, it’s simple to scoop and use, providing a smooth, high-potency vapor when heated.

THCA shatter

THCA shatter is a brittle, glass-like concentrate that breaks apart easily, making it convenient for precise dosing. 

With its high THCA content, shatter offers a potent experience and can be dabbed, broken up and added to pre-rolls, or inhaled using a bong rig. 

When heated, it melts into a clean, flavorful vapor, delivering strong psychoactive effects after decarboxylation.

THCA sauce

THCA sauce is a rich, terpene-heavy concentrate known for its high potency and bold flavors. 

It contains a mix of THCA crystalline structures and cannabinoid-rich oil, providing a thick, saucy texture that’s ideal for dabbing. 

THCA sauce delivers strong effects alongside a full-spectrum terpene experience, making it a favorite for flavor chasers and connoisseurs.

THCA badder

THCA badder is a whipped, creamy concentrate with a smooth, malleable texture that makes it easy to scoop and handle. 

Known for its high terpene content and potent THCA levels, badder provides a rich, flavorful dabbing experience. It’s ideal if you prefer concentrates that are easy to work with while still offering strong effects and full-spectrum benefits.

THCA kief

THCA kief is a fine, powdery concentrate that’s collected from the resinous trichomes of THCA flower buds. With a potency of 75% THCA, it delivers a smooth, terpene-rich experience. 

Kief can be sprinkled onto flower, pressed into hash, or used in a vaporizer, making it a versatile and potent concentrate. 

THCA live resin

THCA live resin is an ultra-premium concentrate extracted from fresh, flash-frozen cannabis, preserving the plant’s full spectrum of cannabinoids and terpenes. 

This process results in exceptional flavor, potency, and aroma, offering a rich, well-rounded experience. 

Live resin is favored for dabbing due to its high THCA content and terpene-forward profile, delivering a smooth and flavorful vapor when heated.

THCA live rosin

THCA live rosin is a solventless concentrate made using heat and pressure, ensuring a pure, terpene-rich experience without chemical solvents. 

This premium extract offers a clean, natural flavor while maintaining high THCA potency. Ideal for dab enthusiasts, live rosin provides a smooth, flavorful vapor with strong effects, making it a top choice for connoisseurs who prioritize purity and taste.

How to Use THCA Concentrates

THCA concentrates can be used in many different ways – here are some of the main ones:

• Smoking: You can smoke THCA concentrates by mixing them into your bowl or joint, which will increase the potency of your flower.
• Vaping: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a vaporizer (of which there are many types), which converts the concentrate into vapor without burning it.
• Dabbing: THCA concentrates can be inhaled using a dab rig, which typically consists of a glass piece with a nail attachment, a torch, and a dab tool. Heat the nail, scoop THCA concentrate onto it once it’s hot, and then inhale the vapor as it’s produced.
• Hot Knifing: An old-school THCA concentrate consumption method, hot knifing involves heating two metal knives and then carefully pressing a small amount of THCA concentrate between them. As the vapor forms, it can inhale it using a straw or a similar device.
• Glass Dab Straw (Nectar Collector): THCA concentrates can be consumed using a glass dab straw, where the tip of the straw is heated with a torch and dipped directly into the THCA concentrate You can then inhale through the opposite end.

Are THCA Concentrates Legal?

Yes, THCA concentrates are federally legal because they contain THCA in raw form, rather than THC (the THCA is only converted to THC once the concentrate is heated). 

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp-derived products, which are defined as those containing less than 0.3% THC, are federally legal.

Will THCA Concentrates Show Up on a Drug Test?

Yes, THCA concentrates will show up on a drug test. 

THCA turns into THC when heated, and THC is a target analyte on drug tests due to its presence in marijuana (cannabis sativa containing more than 0.3% THC), which is federally illegal.

Conclusion: Are THCA Concentrates Right For You?

Per their name, THCA concentrates contain THCA in a much higher concentration than flower does, making them a great option if you’re looking for effects more potent than high-THCA strains are capable of providing.

It all comes down to choosing the right concentrate. If you’re looking for the strongest possible experience, THCA diamonds are a good way to go. If you want a more flavorful and aromatic experience, then terpene-rich THCA sugar wax is a better choice. 

The good news is that there are many different types of THCA concentrates; there’s bound to be something out there that you like!

Shop THCA Concentrates

What Are THCA Concentrates: Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions our customers frequently ask us about THCA concentrates.

Is THCA concentrate strong?

Yes, THCA concentrate is very strong; it’s the most potent type of THCA product (within that, THCA diamonds are the strongest concentrate). Many THCA concentrates contain 70% or more THCA.

How does THCA make you feel?

Raw THCA is non-psychoactive, but when heated, it turns into THC. THC is known to create a euphoric, relaxing head high.

Are THCA dabs the same as regular dabs?

Yes, hemp-derived THCA dabs are essentially the same as regular cannabis dabs. Both contain THCA, which then converts into THC when heated. THCA dabs are labeled and marketed differently such that they’re federally legal hemp products under the 2018 Farm Ball.

Are THCA dabs any good?

Yes, THCA dabs can be very high-quality! Their effects are just as strong as regular dabs, and they’re completely safe to use. To have the best experience with THCA dabs, be sure to choose a high-quality product that’s been 3rd-party lab tested and contains 100% natural cannabinoids.