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In the cannabis world, Delta-9 THC has reigned supreme for decades, but with the rise of new cannabinoids, many wonder whether it’ll still hold its place. Today we’ll unravel the distinct characteristics of THCa and Delta-9 THC, shedding light on their unique effects and properties.
Additionally, we’ll discuss the legal landscape surrounding these compounds, providing clarity on their status and regulations. We’ll also share some budtender insights on where and how to shop for the best cannabinoid products.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is is the primary psychoactive compound found naturally in cannabis plants. The famous cannabinoid comes from both marijuana and hemp plants.
Delta 9, or THC, is what gives you those “high vibes” when you enjoy cannabis. Think of the giggles, the mood boost, and overall relaxation. But the psychoactive effects aren’t the only card D9 flaunts around since shows that it also boasts some potential health benefits as well.
THCa on the other hand is a non-psychoactive substance. It is the acidic precursor to THC in the cannabis plant. When the cannabis plant is exposed to heat and pressure, THCa goes through a chemical process that transforms it into THC.
The main difference between the two lies in their chemical structure. They both have relatively similar chemical makeups but with one different key feature: a carboxylic acid group in THCa.
This small tweak in their chemical structure cascades down to all the other different effects. For one, Delta-9 with its lower molecular weight is drawn to our body’s CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors like a magnet. When it hooks onto these receptors, it sets off a dopamine rush, leading to intense feelings of euphoria – that classic THC high we’re all familiar with.
On the other hand, THCA molecules are too hefty to latch onto CB1 and CB2 receptors. While they still make their way into the bloodstream and interact with the central nervous system, they’re unable to induce the typical THC high, which is the reason behind its non-psychoactive nature.
The two cannabinoids actually do share similar potential benefits, but of course the effects are felt differently.
THCa and Delta-9 THC have an almost familial bond. You can think of THCa as the parent compound to D9. The things is, all of our beloved cannabinoids actually start off as cannabinoid acids. Those acids are what young cannabis plants produce first to hemp the plant grow and ward off harmful external factors such as fungus and bacteria, hence the therapeutic benefits of these cannabinoid acids.
As the cannabis plant matures, time eventually takes a toll, and heat from the environment eventually breaks down the acid group chain and THCa exits the chat, allowing for the grand entrance of THC. The same process also applies to how CBDA transforms to CBD and how we get CBG from CBGA.
To understand how cannabinoids get you high in the first place, we need to discuss how they interact with your body first.
When cannabinoids enter your body, they get to work by interacting with the Endocannabinoid System (ECS). Think of the ECS as a big communication network inside you. It’s like a traffic grid that oversees stuff like pain, swelling, mood, hunger, and sleep. The ECS has these receptors scattered all over your body, sort of like docking points, and cannabinoids, which are like messengers, can plug into these receptors and change how things operate.
Now, here’s the thing about unheated THCa. Due to its heavy molecules it can’t hang out with the ECS’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, like other cannabinoids. Some studies suggest that THCa might mingle with other receptors too. This can lead to different effects than the ones typically associated with cannabinoids.
Also, THCa might indirectly affect how enzymes work. These enzymes usually break down the body’s natural endocannabinoids, but when THCa comes into play, it might mess with this process, leading to a bigger overall effect.
Research shows that unheated THCa’s roundabout way of dealing with the ECS may produce some health benefits.
But what happens when heat enters the chat and get your hands on some heated THCa? It turns into pure THC, which is the heavyweight champion of getting you “high.”
In conclusion, raw THCa may be a great way to enjoy some health perks without the high, however, it can also be a source of a sky-high euphoria when heated. “Pun not intended”
Cannabinoid acids will be out there chilling in the plant, minding their business, till they slowly undergo decarboxylation. Decarboxylation is essentially a chemical makeover process. When applying heat, the cannabinoid acid loses its carboxyl group (COOH), and carbon dioxide (CO2) pops out. Basically, heat breaks the bond between the THCa molecule and the carboxyl group.
What’s left after the broken bonds of THCa? It’s our beloved Delta-9 THC, the star of the show with the mighty psychoactive properties.
So, why is heat so crucial in this process? Well, think of it like cooking – you need the right temperature to get the right results. Unheated cannabis will have more THCa, but when you bake it or smoke it, you bring heat into the game, causing THCa to undergo decarboxylation and transform into Delta-9 THC.
But decarboxylation isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. Different temperatures and times can speed up or slow down the process. For example, THCa diamonds would need more heat to release all of its THC goodness, while natural heat will leave raw cannabis with little THC.
When pitting THCa against Delta-9 THC in terms of managing body aches, Delta-9 might win this round. That’s because Delta-9 THC binds directly to brain CB1 receptors, which help with managing pain signals. This results in quicker and more noticeable relief from aches. THCa, however, works differently, it’s more about calming inflammation.
So, just munching on raw cannabis won’t give you the same pain relief as consuming either decarboxylated THCa or Delta-9 THC directly.
In today’s world, anxiety seems to be everywhere, affecting many of us. But which option holds the key to easing our daily stress?
According to clinical studies, Delta-9 shows promise in tackling anxiety and depression by boosting the brain’s production of happy hormones and dialing down the stress response. On the flip side, THCa doesn’t quite wield the same influence over our brain’s receptors. It can coax other receptors to lend a hand, but not to the extent of Delta-9. Consequently, numerous individuals opt for products with high THCa content, consuming them through smoking in hopes of accessing more THC and potentially alleviating their anxiety.
Up till December of 2018, both hemp and marijuana plants were on the naughty list. Then came in the Farm Bill, a piece of legislation that soothed the hearts of all cannabis lovers. Basically, the bill gave hemp the VIP treatment and legalized it. Thus the hemp plant was no longer a controlled substance.
Hemp plants usually don’t have high amounts of Delta-9 THC. So, the Farm Bill gave the green card to all hemp-derived goodies containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC and made it federally legal. And since the bill specifically called out D9 by name, it set the stage for all other cannabinoids to shine beyond the humble 0.3% limit.
This now brings us to THCa, the father compound of Delta-9 THC. Since THCa is technically a different compound to D9, “pre-heating of course,” hemp retailers now have the chance to introduce high THCa products to the market, as a workaround to the D9 limit set by the feds.
However, while hemp gets the free pass, marijuana is still getting the cold shoulder from Uncle Sam, and cannabis products containing more than 0.3% D9 will get the same treatment as marijuana. (Federally speaking of course.)
With that said, not all states agree with Uncle Sam, each state is free to either adapt the bill, or set a completely different set of rules. So, keeping an eye out to the laws on your side of the fence will spare you any potential trouble with law enforcement.
Research suggests that THCa, packs a punch when it comes to fighting inflammation. This makes it a potential remedy for various discomforts, like stiff joints and achy muscles – just what the doctor ordered!
THCa might also come to the rescue for those battling nausea and vomiting, especially when dealing with other medical conditions that bring on the queasies.
Like its cousin THC, THCa might have a knack for kicking hunger into gear. Which means that like Delta-9 THC, it can also trigger a case of the munchies.
But there’s a not-so-sunny side of things:
THCa and D9 might decide to mix things up with other medications you’re taking, potentially throwing a wrench in how well they work or bringing on some unwelcome adverse effects.
In rare cases, some might find themselves allergic to compounds from cannabis plants, including THCa and D9. Always wise to keep an eye out for any signs of allergic reactions and listen to your body’s signals.
Cannabis products may leave some users with red eyes, dry mouth, or some dizziness if they’re not used to these types of products.
Last but not least, tread carefully with high doses of THCa that have converted to THC. THC can cause altered perception. It can also lead to an increased heart rate and even feelings of paranoia. So, remember to start low and go slow when exploring the world of THCa.
Due to the restriction on Delta-9 THC, many search for the legal alternative in high THCa content. One of the major players on the scene is THCa flower. This beauty comes from hemp and keeps it legal. But finding quality flower isn’t that easy.
Here are some budtender tips on how to shop smart for the best THCa flower
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In conclusion, THCa as the acidic precursor to Delta-9 came into the cannabis stage with a bang. without THCa, we wouldn’t have Delta-9. However, Delta-9 THC stood the test of time for a good reason.
When applying heat, THCa converts to pure THC. And while the federal government and many states place restrictions on Delta-9 THC, THCa became the loophole that many cannabis enthusiasts crave.
With its potential health benefits and non-psychoactive nature, THCa is a great solution for those seeking wellness without the high. But, for those seeking a wild buzz, high THCa products, such as THCa Diamonds and THCa flower are the golden ticket they seek.
Happy Hemping!
Legal Disclaimer:
By reading this information presented, you agree to release the author of any liability that comes from using this data. This post contains no legal advice. Claims about cannabinoids have not yet been approved by the FDA. Read the full legal disclaimer here.
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References:
Unheated THCa is not psychoactive and will not result in a high. However when heated, it converts to pure THC, causing the “high” feeling.
THCa itself may not show up on a drug test, but it can be converted to THC, which will show up on most drug tests. If you are concerned about passing a drug test, it is best to avoid consuming any cannabis products, including those that contain THCa.
THCa from hemp is federally legal thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill allows hemp-derived products with a Delta-9 THC concentration below 0.3% dry weight to be legal.
The main difference lies in the fact that Delta-9 THC is highly psychoactive which can make you feel high, while unheated THCa wouldn’t. However if you heat THCa, it converts to THC, which will make you high.
