Has anyone had any experience with THCa?

[Flotsam]

So the way I understand it (& please pipe in if i have this wrong) THCa is another cannabinoid that exists in Hemp class product. I believe its availability really brought it to prominence with the 2018 Farm bill where hemp was legalized. In states where Cannabis has been legalized for recreational use it seems they ban the use of Hemp derived THCA. Through the process of Decarboxylation this THCa precursor is converted to regular THC. This is the same process used to make edible products. It is not supposed to have the same potency as regular Delta 9 cannabis we know and love.

Here is some additional information that i got from Wikipedia:
Hemp derived THCA is prevalent and explicitly unscheduled under the CSA's definition that legalizes all cannabis with less than 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration.[15] THCA is not scheduled at the federal level in the United States,[16] but it is possible that THCA could legally be considered an analog of THC and sales or possession could potentially be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act.[17] In practice, because THCA spontaneously decarboxylates to form THC, no real sample of purified THCA will be completely free of THC.

THCA is getting more popular because it’s legal and accessible in most states in the U.S. THCA is legal as long as the cannabis contains less than 0.3% of it. This is in accordance with state laws .

Marijuana is regulated by the federal government as a controlled substance, but hemp isn’t. While hemp isn’t federally regulated as a controlled substance, it can be changed to produce the same THC in marijuana. I believe it is not as potent as regurlar Delta 9. This can cause a legal loophole in areas where marijuana is illegal because you can buy THCA and alter it to get high the way you would with marijuana.

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My question is whether anyone has had experience with THCa ? Can it be vaped?

 

[CharmCityVapeGuy]

THC-A flower is the same as all other flower you smoke/vape. THC-A is turned into Delta 9 THC by heating/burning it. It vapes just like any other flower. Enjoy!

 

[Flotsam]

THC-A flower is the same as all other flower you smoke/vape. THC-A is turned into Delta 9 THC by heating/burning it. It vapes just like any other flower. Enjoy!

i thought it was a bit different than regular Delta 9 weed. I thought for it to be converted to THC it needed to be decarboxylized {or whatever the word is} first or it wouldn't do anything. .

Hey notice you're another MD guy. go Ravens. So its a moot point for us at least in MD regarding THCa.

Just curious if anyone had tried it.

 

[2tiki]

i thought it was a bit different than regular Delta 9 weed. I thought for it to be converted to THC it needed to be decarboxylized {or whatever the word is} first or it wouldn't do anything. .

Hey notice you're another MD guy. go Ravens. So its a moot point for us at least in MD regarding THCa.

Just curious if anyone had tried it.

Combusting or vaping the flower is what causes the decarboxylation.

I'd be very leery of anyone selling something called THCa. I'm sure some is fine, but from what I've researched, some places are just spraying hemp with some oil or whatever. At least if you are going to try it, check with others that have a place they have tried and can recommend.

Like already mentioned, legal weed is by default THCa, so it's odd to call it that.

 

[Flotsam]

Combusting or vaping the flower is what causes the decarboxylation.

I'd be very leery of anyone selling something called THCa. I'm sure some is fine, but from what I've researched, some places are just spraying hemp with some oil or whatever. At least if you are going to try it, check with others that have a place they have tried and can recommend.

Like already mentioned, legal weed is by default THCa, so it's odd to call it that.

i think there is a distinction between the two.

I have heard that too about some so-called THCa as well.

 

[2tiki]

i think there is a distinction between the two.

I have heard that too about some so-called THCa as well.

If there is a distinction, I believe it is coming from the people selling it, "Coopting" it's meaning.

 

[RustyOldNail]

Understanding Decarboxylation: The Ultimate Guide to THCA

As a leading expert in the cannabis industry, we are excited to share with you the fascinating process of decarboxylation of THCA. Our THCA flower is our best seller, and understanding the science behind it will help you appreciate its potential benefits even more. What is THCA? THCA, or...

smokygrassstation.com

What is Decarboxylation?​

Decarboxylation is a chemical process that removes a carboxyl group from a molecule, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide. In the case of THCA, decarboxylation converts it into THC, the compound responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis.

 

[Shit Snacks]

I'm not sure exactly what the question here is anymore, but there is another thread or two discussing mail order hemp, CBD, but also a lot of THCA discussion has that became a thing (a lot of debate over whether it was the same necessarily, I feel like it's not as full spectrum, but it's also not consistent across farms and sellers, factual science and nomenclature)

 

[Flotsam]

I'm not sure exactly what the question here is anymore, but there is another thread or two discussing mail order hemp, CBD, but also a lot of THCA discussion has that became a thing (a lot of debate over whether it was the same necessarily, I feel like it's not as full spectrum, but it's also not consistent across farms and sellers, factual science and nomenclature)

yeah i did do a search first before i posted. there was one thread someone had but it was kind of a different kind of question from what i wanted to ask.

No what i was asking, purely out of personal curiosity was so-called THCa weed was different from the Delta 9 weed we have here. By different i mean not just taste but the type of high you get and if it is different in any other way. etc.

 

[florduh]

THCa is 50 State legal mids. It will get you just as high as dispo flower, but doesn’t taste quite as good IME. My understanding is this is due to harvesting early to avoid THCa to THC conversion and staying on the right side of the law. Could be wrong though.

 

[Shit Snacks]

No what i was asking, purely out of personal curiosity was so-called THCa weed was different from the Delta 9 weed we have here. By different i mean not just taste but the type of high you get and if it is different in any other way. etc.

Have you ever tried distillate? It is used in a lot of oil pen cartridges and for making branded edibles, so THC percentage is super high, but it is not full spectrum? I'm not sure exactly how to explain it haha but something is missing, it's not just nobody, it's like deeper than that lol

So I kind of feel that way about the THCA bud, and it could explain why sometimes a lot of the dispensary bud is also disappointing, hard to know what is what, they show you the stats and it's still just all THC high percentage etc it just seems like it's missing the other stuff? I don't know if that is Delta 9 or whatever you would call it but the classic bud that never had those distinctions always seemed better? And now it seems hard to find it anywhere!

 

[hotmeals]

"THC-A hemp" is literally just normal weed, there is no difference. They call it that for legal reasons. You just have to find the good shit like you always do.

 

[Flotsam]

Have you ever tried distillate? It is used in a lot of oil pen cartridges and for making branded edibles, so THC percentage is super high, but it is not full spectrum? I'm not sure exactly how to explain it haha but something is missing, it's not just nobody, it's like deeper than that lol

So I kind of feel that way about the THCA bud, and it could explain why sometimes a lot of the dispensary bud is also disappointing, hard to know what is what, they show you the stats and it's still just all THC high percentage etc it just seems like it's missing the other stuff? I don't know if that is Delta 9 or whatever you would call it but the classic bud that never had those distinctions always seemed better? And now it seems hard to find it anywhere!

LOL i tried distillate carts once and i hated that to be honest. But that was also the day i also got to first try Concentrates too! The one brand of edibles we get in MD is based on distillate and it does seem stronger than the other eddies but slightly oily taste that you know its working. I have heard that too about full spectrum. I appreciate your insights.

 

[Shit Snacks]

LOL i tried distillate carts once and i hated that to be honest. But that was also the day i also got to first try Concentrates too! The one brand of edibles we get in MD is based on distillate and it does seem stronger than the other eddies but slightly oily taste that you know its working. I have heard that too about full spectrum. I appreciate your insights.

Oh they don't have better stuff? I never really got to enjoy the legality in MD before I left, a buddy was using medical when it started I think? Been a while... Yeah that edibles can be really strong with the distillate super high percentage and milligram amount, but it didn't make me that high, like I was high but not as much as I would think from 500 mg haha so there's definitely something not full spectrum about it more heady imo and not quite as satisfying at all either really

 

[Flotsam]

Oh they don't have better stuff? I never really got to enjoy the legality in MD before I left, a buddy was using medical when it started I think? Been a while... Yeah that edibles can be really strong with the distillate super high percentage and milligram amount, but it didn't make me that high, like I was high but not as much as I would think from 500 mg haha so there's definitely something not full spectrum about it more heady imo and not quite as satisfying either really

i forget when they started Medical in MD. July 1 2022 is when it went legal and i was there the first week. Hadn't smoked in like 35 years. But what i really liked about getting high immediately came back to me. I wish i could grow my own. They have revised legality for things in MD gradually. Like originally no grow and no concentrates, but that is changed. The distillate we had on a ski trip came from my friend from California so not sure what it was exactly.

I don't really thrill on edibles myself either, but i must say i finally used some of my AVB and i was High AF. But then again i used quite a bit and my avb is mostly strong since i only have a PAX and it only does a fair job with full baking.

Going back to full spectrum again, how is most Edibles considered (non-distillate based)? excuse the poorly worded sentence.

 

[hotmeals]

my avb is mostly strong since i only have a PAX and it only does a fair job with full baking.

Off topic, but I have used a friend of mine's PAX 2 a fair amount, and in my experience it is quite capable of a very thorough extraction. Do you stir it at all? Whenever we used it we would stir every few hits or so. Should help you blow some better clouds too if you're not, thing actually kinda rips I can't lie.

 

[Flotsam]

Off topic, but I have used a friend of mine's PAX 2 a fair amount, and in my experience it is quite capable of a very thorough extraction. Do you stir it at all? Whenever we used it we would stir every few hits or so. Should help you blow some better clouds too if you're not, thing actually kinda rips I can't lie.

yes and that was one of the first things i learned being here on FC. After the vapor seems thin i dump it out and then refill to mix it up. That first or second hit is excellent but then i know not to expect much more. But i still don't seem to get as dark a roast as some pics people post. Maybe i have unrealistic expectations.

 

[hotmeals]

yes and that was one of the first things i learned being here on FC. After the vapor seems thin i dump it out and then refill to mix it up. That first or second hit is excellent but then i know not to expect much more. But i still don't seem to get as dark a roast as some pics people post. Maybe i have unrealistic expectations.

Interesting. In my opinion a lot of people post AVB pics of bud that has been taken too far and is pyrolyzed. My friend's PAX on level 4 would usually lead to what I would consider pyrolysis, but I'm not sure how or if the more modern models' temperature settings differ from the 2. You should definitely be getting more than 2 hits out of it if you pack it full, maybe it's the herb. We should probably take it to PMs or start a new thread if you want to continue this conversation.

 

[zeebudz]

THCa is 50 State legal mids. It will get you just as high as dispo flower, but doesn’t taste quite as good IME. My understanding is this is due to harvesting early to avoid THCa to THC conversion and staying on the right side of the law. Could be wrong though.

Some states have enacted their own bans on the THCa hemp loophole.

Newly Enacted Hemp Laws in 2024: Key Regulatory Updates Across the US | JD Supra

We are five months into the new year, and more than ten states have already enacted laws with varying approaches to regulating products with...

www.jdsupra.com

There is also a new Farm Bill draft that is intended to close the loophole.

 

[Flotsam]

Some states have enacted their own bans on the THCa hemp loophole.

Newly Enacted Hemp Laws in 2024: Key Regulatory Updates Across the US | JD Supra

We are five months into the new year, and more than ten states have already enacted laws with varying approaches to regulating products with...

www.jdsupra.com

There is also a new Farm Bill draft that is intended to close the loophole.

you really think this congress is capable of passing anything?

 

[Shit Snacks]

Going back to full spectrum again, how is most Edibles considered (non-distillate based)? excuse the poorly worded sentence

Yeah I mean just like regular weed, you could turn that into edibles, depends on how and dose etc but it is a more thorough stone lol like more than getting high potentially really when done the classic way, but there's so many other ways now with different types I mean hash would be the classic to get the heavy stone but I guess it doesn't have to be that way either could use less lighter etc

finally used some of my AVB and i was High AF. But then again i used quite a bit and my avb is mostly strong since i only have a PAX and it only does a fair job with full baking

Yeah that's the classic with those type of conduction, especially temp control, you can keep plenty of actives and have strong edibles, usually more on the sleepy side but still especially if you mix with green when you prepare them together, it can be more rewarding that way.. I don't bother anymore myself but I have quite a bit of experience getting the most out of them that way and process was similar to doing with regular weed but yeah not quite as good of an experience but an experience!

 

[CharmCityVapeGuy]

i thought it was a bit different than regular Delta 9 weed. I thought for it to be converted to THC it needed to be decarboxylized {or whatever the word is} first or it wouldn't do anything. .

Hey notice you're another MD guy. go Ravens. So its a moot point for us at least in MD regarding THCa.

Just curious if anyone had tried it.

Go Ravens! Next year. All Weed needs to be decarbed if you want to eat it. I've even ordered THCA weed online even though I work in a dispo.

LOL i tried distillate carts once and i hated that to be honest. But that was also the day i also got to first try Concentrates too! The one brand of edibles we get in MD is based on distillate and it does seem stronger than the other eddies but slightly oily taste that you know its working. I have heard that too about full spectrum. I appreciate your insights.

there still spectrum edibles made with RSO here too.

 

[hotmeals]

It needs to be decarbed in order to get high no matter the consumption method. Heat from combustion or vaporization decarbs it as you go. Decarboxylation also happens very slowly over time. Heat from remediation methods such as irradiation can also cause significant levels of decarboxylation. This is why if you see bud with a delta-9% approaching 1% or more, it should be a cause for worrying about what the hell happened to that weed before it was tested. I won't buy it if it's around 2% or more. I don't really trust the test numbers, but when they're telling me it tests in a way it shouldn't, I don't take that as a good sign. Most strains are naturally going to be below the 0.3% legal limit until they have been curing for quite a while, as long as it's treated properly throughout the process.

 

[Old Moderate]

My favorite are the type 2 flowers, which are easy to get via the THCa vendors. Straight up they are nice and balanced; mix in a little with some type 1 and they are much more complex and interesting than type 1 alone. I think it is the other cannabiniods that are present that enrich the experience but little research has been published on this.

 

[Flotsam]

My favorite are the type 2 flowers, which are easy to get via the THCa vendors. Straight up they are nice and balanced; mix in a little with some type 1 and they are much more complex and interesting than type 1 alone. I think it is the other cannabiniods that are present that enrich the experience but little research has been published on this.

what is type 1 and type 2?