THCa vs THC vs Delta 9

There’s still a lot of misinformation when it comes to THCa vs. THC vs. Delta-9, and it creates confusion. How these terms are used, and where they come from, is also part of the problem. Because, all the rules and regulations affecting the cannabis plant over the decades come from many places. Pot is subject to restrictions from City, County, State, and Federal agencies, and has been for decades. That means politicians got involved, and it’s been confusing ever since.

Confusion about cannabis goes way back, even predating recorded history, but that’s beyond the scope of this blog. But, you can check out weed in history next, because it is fascinating. For this article, the names for cannabis and its compounds have changed depending on the person making the rules. And, that’s the main reason there’s confusion about THCa vs. THC vs. D9.

Why Happy Hippy Blogs are Go-To Resources 

There’s especially a lot of misunderstanding about “What is THCa,” so let’s put it under the microscope. And, that is an apt expression- because most of this blog is actually about chemistry. Not to worry, though, because we like to keep things simple at High Hippy! We like our community well-informed, because there is a lot to know about all cannabinoids, and how they affect health.

THCa is incredibly important to us all, because legal cannabis is always under threat somewhere! At High Hippy, we share cool content to show how cannabis enhances life, while dispelling the myths and confusion. Today, it starts with THCa, literally.

To make the most informed choices, you need a trusted resource. So, we have done our homework at High Hippy! Our founders have been in the industry since 2019 revolutionary THCa flower experts. So, we love talking the truth about weed! We want you to make the most informed choices about important personal self-care needs. And, with cannabis, the choices really start with THC (but again, it’s actually THCa where it all begins!).

What Is THCa? (Explained Simply)

Most people know THC as the molecule that makes people get high because it’s psychoactive. But, THCa cannot get you high. The difference is in the naturally occurring chemistry, nothing fake. So, to the uninformed, it may seem like THCa is poor quality bud sprayed with chemicals, but it’s not. THCa is what the growing plant makes, similar to CBDa, CBNa, CBGa, etc. 

But, THCa changes to psychoactive THC when smoking, vaping, cooking, or baking, because of heat.

THCa is the acidic precursor to Delta-9 THC (D9 and THC are the same thing). But, the THCa molecule has an acid chain attached that keeps the compound from affecting the nervous system. So, no euphoria. But heat the compound past 222º F and the acid chain drops off in a process called decarboxylation, and THCa becomes fully activated THC, and psychoactive af. This happens naturally when you smoke, vape, cook or bake cannabis.

Ironically, the Hippies were right (and High Hippy is most right)! They just didn’t know the specifics about THCa vs. THC vs. Delta-9. What they did know is that cannabis is not harmful! Instead, that plant has compounds used by the body, literally, to stay healthy. 

Cannabis compounds (called cannabinoids) are used to balance the health of all major organs! Because, nearly every cell in the bodies of all mammals (including dogs and cats!) have special receptors just for cannabinoids. Fact.

Endocannabinoid System for Health

This miraculous ability of the body to heal itself is controlled by an endocannabinoid system (ECS)! And the ECS makes its own cannabinoids called Anandamide and AG-2 that are similar to THC and CBD. But, the ECS also works with external sources of these special compounds, including phytocannabinoids (from plants). And, there is only one known natural source of a full spectrum of cannabinoids in nature (three guesses!).

So, it’s sort-of a given that cannabis has medicinal value. It’s also obvious that THCa vs THC vs Delta-9 is just hype, because even non-psychoactive THCa, CBDa, CBNa, etc.

The body uses these compounds to achieve homeostasis! To High Hippy, this seems like the literal definition of medically necessary. And, anyone arguing there is no proof of medicinal value to cannabis loses all credibility. Free thinkers like the High Hippy tribe, as well as other cannabis users around the world, understand THCa becomes THC, also called Delta-9 (D9), and has many benefits.

THCa is the Clark Kent to Super-Dude’s THC

When ‘industrial hemp’ was legalized with the 2018 Farm Bill, legal limits were set by the plant’s level of delta-9 THC. The government chose to measure the level of delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis, in a process that happens right after harvest, before any ‘decarbing’ can occur naturally. 

Of course, decarbing also happens in a faster way too, just as it has for thousands of years.

In nature, it’s only after harvesting and processing the plant that we start to see the acid molecules fall off as the plant withers. But, faster decarboxylation chemistry happens with the simple application of heat, like when you cook, vape, or smoke weed.

Before 2018, we didn’t know we were all mad scientists. Maybe it’s a good thing the government kept itself ignorant of the truth for so long, or we would all have wear lab coats and safety goggles anytime we spark up a joint! 

The worst part is, the people in power seem to take advantage of the misinformation, using their own labels like “Intoxicating hemp compounds” for political agendas. Attacked, despite the fact that the hemp industry has been at it for years, safely.

The Truth About Hemp: THCa vs THC vs D9

Misinformation is a tool to control the cannabis market, used by governments and big Multistate Operators (MSOs). And, over-controlling state-sponsored monopolies control these markets. Ironically, MSOs are the loudest voices speaking out against the legality of all ‘isomers and derivatives’ (as stated in the 2018 Farm Bill). These compounds are CURRENTLY legal and have been more than seven years. There have been few problems, but \state=sponsored businesses dopn’t want to see THCa flower because it threatens their hegemonic control.

This blog gets into a lot of misinformation about cannabis, and “Hemp” vs “Medical” vs “Adult Use” vs “Cannabis” is more bullshit. They are all the same plant, cannabis sativa L, grown the same way, bred the same way, harvested the same way, and processed the same way. The only difference is that ‘hemp’ is federally legal right now. Want proof? Go check out any major MSO’s lab test results, and you will see THCa, not THC. ‘but it’s still’Hemp’ is the same thing as West Coast weed.

Just like THCa vs THC vs D9 all being annoyingly avoidable, so too is hemp vs recreational vs medical- it’s all the same thing! Don’t believe the bullshit and trust people (and businesses, wink, wink) who deal in truth and responsible practices. Cannabis may not be for everyone, but all people use cannabinoids. It’s a tie that binds all humanity together. It’s a lofty goal, but at High Hippy, we want everyone up here with us, because the view is awesome!

Is Cannabis Good for You?

So, because of the ECS, you can argue cannabis is good for you (and your dog!). Still, until science catches up, the only claims you can legally make about the medical efficacy of weed are that “CBD acts as an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic (pain reliever).” However, we also know about cannabinoids working together in an entourage effect, each compound enhancing its fellow cannabinoids, so that together they are more effective than apart.

But, in case relieving pain and inflammation aren’t medically important enough, there are decades, nay millenia, of anecdotal evidence about cannabis and its medical use to relieve maladies of all kinds. The list is exhaustive, but includes biggies like arthritis, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, nausea, leprosy, tremors, menstrual cramps, and so on. It has known anti-seizure, anti-tremor, anti-tumor, and other incredible properties, being studied by science finally.

But weed goes beyond pain relief. There’s evidence throughout history of cannabis being important to religious use, social use, and, sadly, political use. The ruling classes use cannabis as a tool, both pro and con, to control the working classes throughout history, which is a secret repeating cycle (again- yay history!). But again, that’s another blog. And also again, today we know the truth about THJCa vs. THC vs. Delta-9, so there is no going back.

The Legality of THCa vs THC vs Delta-9

Today, we know more of the truth than ever! We know that cannabis is not addictive, and no one has ever died from an overdose, unlike with alcohol, opiates, and even caffeine, all with the government’s approval. We also know that THCa becomes THC with heat. THC is the same thing as Delta-9

Some people claim that cannabis should not be legal at the Federal level, but the truth is- it already is! That’s right, as of this writing in 2025, cannabis is legal 99.7% at the Federal level, which includes all 50 states! But, that’s the biggest part of the misinformation problem- the States and their desire to keep monopolies over the cannabis industry. Free market hemp seems like a threat, but it’s not. And, as ‘bud tenders,’ it’s our job to explain the truth to everyone, not just customers.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), cannabinol (CBN) and all other compounds in the growing cannabis plant start as molecules with an acid compound attached. It takes chemistry to change these compounds from the acidic version to the ‘fully active’ compounds. The reason for the confusion could come from this reaction from acidic to activated happening in regular use- smoking, vaping and cooking— when cannabinoids are exposed to heat above 222º.

How to Tell What You’re Buying

Always check the lab reports for your THCa flower. These are called Certificates of Analysis (COAs). These independent tests go into great detail with many panels including cannabinoid content (to assure compliance), as well as persticide and heavy metals. The COA report assures potency and purity of high-THCa flower.

A COA that shows <0.3% Delta-9 THC is federally compliant and legal to ship.

Good THCa flower will list something like:

• THCa: 25%–35%
• Delta-9 THC: 0.2% or less

If the Delta-9 content exceeds 0.3%, it’s legally considered marijuana and subject to local cannabis laws.

THCa vs THC vs Delta-9: The Last Word

The difference between THCa vs THC vs Delta 9 is all about chemistry. THCa is the precursor that grows in the plant. Delta-9 is the result of decarboxylation which makes it fully psychoactive. Decarbing happens naturally over time as the plant breaks down, or more quickly with smoking, vaping, baking or cooking. Both compounds come from the same plant, but only one is legally available nationwide—at least for now, and heavily restricted in certain states.

Want to explore more? Learn what THCa is or dive into how it gets you high once activated.