If you’ve ever seen weed online or in stores, asking, ‘Does smoking THCa get you high?’ is totally normal. We hear it all the time and understand the confusion. Then, explaining that THCa is cannabis, and the same product sold as ‘THC,’ ‘Medical,’ or ‘Recreational,’ just makes it worse. And, while confusing for those who especially live in states where THC is legal, that’s just a name thing.

Why Cannabis is Called Different Things

THC vs. THCa

How Does THCa Flower Work?

Does THCa Get You As High As THC?

Is THCa Flower Safe to Smoke?

Does THCa Show Up On a Drug Test?

Final Thoughts on Smoking THCa

Why Cannabis is Called Different Things

The confusion has many layers, starting with the names. Firstly, federally legal cannabis products, like THCa flower, come from plants called ‘hemp,’ whose scientific name is cannabis sativa L. But, in states where that same plant is legal through medical or recreational law, it’s called other things. So, ‘Medical Marijuana,’ and ‘Adult Use THC,’ are the same ‘hemp.’ Indeed, THCa flower is a legal and natural product of the plant, no matter what name you call it!

In truth, compliance with federal law all comes down to one compound in cannabis sativa L, called delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol. Usually, this is just called ‘THC.’ In the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act that legalized cannabis, as long as a product has less than 0.3% THC by dry weight (in its raw state), it’s legal. Well, the ‘Farm Bil;l’ turns out the raw plant produces next to zero THC. It doesn’t produce cannabidiol, aka CBD, either.

But, no matter what cannabis sativa L is called, this amazing ‘weed’ (LOL) produces compounds called cannabinoids. To date, there are more than 125 known cannabinoids, and more are still being discovered. Hence, this includes THCa, an acidic compound. It also includes cannabinolic acid (CBNa), cannabidiolic acid (CBDa), and others. So, chemistry also plays its part in the confusion.

THC vs. THCa

THC is undoubtedly the compound most people think of when they imagine getting high from weed. THCa, on the other hand, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid that cannot get you high. Notably, it’s also a changes into THC when ‘activated’ through chemistry. And, while that sounds all sorts of mysterious, it’s as simple as lighting a joint. Also, you can do it sparking a bowl, vaping a nug, cooking pot brownies, or infusing butter with bud.

Once a cannabinoid is activated, it reaches its true potential. Non-activated, acidic precursor compounds can not interact with the body in the same way as activated cannabinoids can. That’s because the body uses special receptors on cells throughout your body made just for cannabinoids. Called CB1 and CB2, these cannabinoid receptors carry the compounds where they are needed throughout the body to stay healthy.

So, the hippies were right, pot is actually good for you (some ways are healthier than others though). Even though the endocannabinoid system (ECS) was discovered in 1992, THCa wasn’t better understood until after the 2018 Farm Bill. Now, control freak politicians and corporate, state-sponsored weed monopolies call the legalization of ‘intoxicating hemp compounds’ a ‘loophole.’ But still, the facts exist. In nine years, nothing harmful has happened because cannabis use is natural.

How Does THCa Flower Work?

You see, heat is the easiest method to knock that acid chain, called a ‘carboxyl group,’ off the THC molecule. So, this happens just over 222º F, naturally. As cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes reach their boiling points, then they release their essential oils. These go from the plant to the smoke, vapor, brownie mix, butter, etc., to your body’s ECS. And, it has changed as an activated compound, to be enjoyed because it now fits the ECS lock.

The process of activating THCa through heat is called decarboxylation. When THCa is decarboxylated, it converts to Delta-9 THC (THC), which gets you high. The easiest way to decarboxylate THCa is to heat it up by smoking, vaping, cooking, or baking it. The process of smoking it causes virtually instantaneous dacarbing. It happens more slowly with vaporization. Finally, cooking and other extraction methods take the longest to decarb, but are the most thorough.

When the U.S. Farm Bill passed in 2018, the production and sale of hemp became legal. This includes smokable cannabis, so long as the total THC is less than 0.3%. Legally, hemp is defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% THC, though the plant itself is no different from other cannabis varieties. Many cannabis plants defined as hemp are loaded with high levels of THCa. This makes it possible for consumers to get high from cannabis without breaking the law in their state. 

Does THCa Get You As High As THC?

So, that answers the big question: Does smoking THCa get you high? When unheated, it’s non-intoxicating. But when activated with heat and turned into THC, yes! Now let’s dig a little deeper.

Since you know THCa flower can get you high once converted to THC, the effects are worth considering next. The experience is no different whether you call it medical, recreational, or ‘intoxicating hemp.’ The experience is dependent on genetics, grow operations, drying, curing and trimming. Then there’s shipping and handling, too. But pot is amazingly resilient and has been throughout history.

You certainly need to heat THCa to experience the intoxicating effects of the compound. Taken on its own, THCa will not get you high. It’s only intoxicating when heated to decarboxylate the compound into a psychoactive substance. However, when consumed on its own, THCa has many anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties. Still, activated compounds are sought for their simplicity and complexity.

So, to truly find the best THCa flower online, you’ll need to note the effects you want. Different strains produce different effects, which can be tailored to individual lifestyles. Indeed, weed is (and has been) used for various reasons, from medical to recreational and beyond. But some ways to use the plant are definitely safer than others, especially when it comes to ingesting.

Is THCa Flower Safe to Smoke?

THCa flower is as safe to consume as weed ever has been, including smoking. Still, smoking anything is not considered safe for the body, especially the lungs. All forms of smoke, occurring from combustion, can cause toxins to irritate the lungs. This seems to be less the case with vaporizing dry herb. So, answering, “Is THCa Safe to Smoke?” has layers. No smoke is healthy and has growing consequences over time, but the cannabis effects themselves have few negative side effects.

In truth, because psychoactive THC can cause mind-altering effects, there are some important safety considerations when smoking weed. The high can cause impaired cognition and coordination, impacting concentration and safe movement. THCa can also cause anxiety or paranoia when consumed in high amounts or in people prone to these conditions. 

Also, if you’re on any medications, it’s especially important to check out potential negative reactions from all cannabinoids. Cannabis is known to inhibit certain medications, particularly those that impact the liver. So, speaking with your healthcare provider about the risks of combining cannabis with your meds is key to safety. 

As always, if you’re new to the world of smoking weed, we recommend you start low and go slow. Take a puff or two and see how you feel before continuing to smoke more. This allows you to tailor your experience in a more controlled way. 

Does THCa Show Up On a Drug Test?

Smoking THCa flower can cause you to fail a drug test because of its instant conversion to THC. This is the compound drug tests seek, through metabolites, in urine, blood, saliva, and hair follicles. So, decarbing and ingesting THCa is always a risk if you have an upcoming drug test. Notably, full-spectrum CBD products include many cannabinoids, including trace amounts of THC, and can cause drug test fails.

So, if you’re wondering how long THCa will show up on a drug test, there’s no single answer. Many factors can impact the length of time that THC appears on drug test results. If you are a frequent smoker, you can certainly expect to have higher levels of THC in your system, longer. Compared to someone who very rarely uses the substance, this is especially the case.

Positive THC drug test results are also dependent on the type of drug test used. THC is detectable in your hair longest, lasting months. Next, there is urine testing finding metabolites for weeks. Then, there is blood, which clears in a week or less, and finally, saliva clearing in hours. 

Final Thoughts on Smoking THCa

So, answering the “does smoking THCa get you high” question, has additional insights. We hope you’re ready to decide now that you know how it goes. To spark up a joint or hit a bowl, you can check out the best THCa flower online right here. Indica, sativa, hybrid and more are just a click away. Plus, we only deal in high end, Cali-grown craft cannabis in small-batch cultivation. This offers the best experience possible.

We’ve got you covered here at High Hippy. Check out our THCa for beginners guide to learn more about strains, helping you decide where to start. Check out our shop to see all of the great options to buy THCa online.