Due to a legal loophole, smokable cannabis flowers rich in THCa are legal and readily available here in North Carolina. But what is THCa flower, and how is it different from hemp or other cannabis flowers? Here’s everything you need to know. 

What is THCa flower? 

THCa is a cannabinoid found in both cannabis and hemp. In its natural state, it’s completely inactive so it won’t get you high. That is, until you smoke it. THCa is the precursor cannabinoid to THC (the kind that does get you high). It remains inactive until it’s heated up and undergoes a natural chemical reaction to turn it into regular old THC. 

THCa flower is hemp or cannabis flower high in THCa and under the 0.3% THC legal limit on a dry weight basis. Because it remains under the 0.3% delta-9 THC limit put in place by the US Farm Bill, it’s legal in many places. However, it will still cause you to feel high like any other cannabis flower since smoking or vaping will transform the inactive THCa into the active THC. 

You can find THCa in cannabis flowers, concentrates, vapes, and other inhalable products. However, you won’t find it in edibles, topicals, or tinctures since it requires heat to become active and promote different effects. 

How is it different from ordinary hemp? 

THCa flower is virtually no different from cannabis or hemp. It’s grown the same and comes from the same plant that produces either hemp or cannabis. The key difference is the primary cannabinoid. Hemp is typically high in CBD and very low in THC, while cannabis tends to be high in THC and low in CBD. THCa flower is closer to cannabis, but instead of being high in regular delta-9 THC, it’s bred to be higher in THCa. Once THCa flowers are smoked, they feel pretty much exactly the same as regular old cannabis. 

Is THCa flower legal? 

THCa flower is in a legal gray area. Under the Farm Bill, anything derived from hemp that contains less than 0.3% THC in dry weight is legal. However, many states have moved to ban things like THCa, delta-8 THC, and other THC alternatives. It all boils down to the verbiage used in the legislature. For example, THCa is legal in North Carolina, but it’s illegal in places like Oregon. Always double-check the laws in your area before purchasing THCa flower. 

Effects and Potential Benefits of THCa 

Since THCa is practically no different from THC, you can expect many of the same effects from THCa flower as you would with cannabis. THCa flower will cause you to feel high and euphoric and may help with mood, nausea, appetite, or minor aches and pains. A few potential benefits of THC include: 

• Pain and inflammation relief 
• Depression and stress relief 
• Insomnia relief 
• Anxiety relief 
• Appetite improvement 
• Nausea and vomiting relief 
• Headache and migraine relief 
• And more 

Just remember that THCa isn’t intended to be used to treat or manage any health condition. Be sure to always consult with your doctor before trying or using THCa to rule out possible interactions with other medications and to make sure THCa is right for you. 

How to use THCa flower 

THCa flower must be smoked or vaporized to become active. The best way to use it is to grind it up in a grinder and pack the fluffy pieces into a hand or water pipe. Light the herb on fire with a lighter and inhale. The heat from the fire will transform the inactive THCa into active THC, causing you to feel euphoric and high. You can also roll THCa flower into blunts or joints or decarboxylate it to make it into edibles or topicals. 

THCa Flower by The Hemptender 

We’re very excited to announce that we’ve just introduced THCa flower to our inventory. You can shop for THCa flower both in person and online at The Hemptender. Right now, we have delicious indica-dominant Grape Frosty on hand, but more strains are on the way. THCa flower is one of the most natural ways to enjoy hemp and cannabis, so be sure to stop in and see us and check it out for yourself.