July 17, 2025

The Difference Between THC and THCA

Cannabis is a plant with many compounds, but two of the most talked-about are THC and THCA. These two chemicals sound similar, but they are actually quite different. If you’re curious about cannabis, it’s important to know what sets THC and THCA apart. In this blog post, we’ll break down the basics, explain how each works, and help you understand why these differences matter.

What Are THC and THCA?

THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s the main compound in cannabis that makes people feel “high.” When most people talk about the effects of marijuana, they are talking about THC. It’s well-known for its psychoactive effects, which means it changes the way your brain works and how you feel.

THCA stands for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It’s found in raw and live cannabis plants. THCA is the acid form of THC. In other words, THCA is what you find in the plant before it’s heated or processed. THCA doesn’t make you feel high. It’s not psychoactive. But it’s still an important part of the cannabis plant.

How Are THC and THCA Related?

THCA and THC are closely related, but they are not the same. THCA is the “precursor” to THC. This means that THCA turns into THC when it’s heated. This process is called decarboxylation.

Decarboxylation is a big word, but it’s a simple idea. When you heat cannabis—by smoking, vaping, or cooking it—THCA loses a part of its chemical structure (a carboxyl group) and becomes THC. This is why eating raw cannabis won’t get you high, but smoking or baking it will.

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

Raw cannabis = mostly THCA (not psychoactive)
Heated cannabis = mostly THC (psychoactive)

What Does THCA Do?

Even though THCA doesn’t get you high, it’s still interesting to scientists and people who use cannabis for health reasons. Some early research suggests that THCA might have benefits, such as:

Reducing inflammation
Protecting nerves and brain cells
Helping with nausea

However, most of these studies are still in the early stages. We need more research to know exactly how THCA works in the body and how it can be used.

What Does THC Do?

THC is the compound that most people think of when they think about marijuana. It’s responsible for the “high” feeling. THC binds to special receptors in your brain called CB1 receptors. This changes how you feel, think, and even how your body moves.

Some of the effects of THC include:

Euphoria (feeling very happy)
Relaxation
Changes in how you see and hear things
Increased appetite (“the munchies”)
Dry mouth
Red eyes

THC is also used for medical reasons. Some people use it to help with pain, nausea, muscle spasms, and other health problems. In some places, THC is legal for medical or recreational use. In other places, it is still against the law.

How Do You Get THC from THCA?

As mentioned earlier, THCA turns into THC when it’s heated. This can happen in several ways:

Smoking: When you light a joint or a bowl, the heat changes THCA into THC.
Vaping: Vaporizers heat cannabis to a temperature that converts THCA to THC without burning the plant.
Cooking: When you bake cannabis into edibles, the heat from the oven turns THCA into THC.

If you eat raw cannabis, you’re mostly getting THCA, not THC. That’s why eating raw cannabis won’t make you feel high.

Why Does This Matter?

Knowing the difference between THC and THCA is important for several reasons:

If you want to feel the effects of cannabis, you need THC, not THCA.
If you’re interested in the possible health benefits of cannabis without feeling high, THCA might be more interesting to you.
Understanding this difference can help you choose the right products and use cannabis safely.

How Are THC and THCA Measured?

When you look at a cannabis product label, you might see both THC and THCA listed. This is because raw cannabis flowers contain mostly THCA. The amount of THC listed is usually what you get after the product is heated.

For example, a label might say:

THCA: 20%
THC: 1%

This means the flower is mostly THCA. But if you smoke or vape it, most of that THCA will turn into THC.

Labs use special machines to measure how much THCA and THC are in a product. This helps you know what to expect when you use it.

What About Other Cannabinoids?

THC and THCA are just two of many cannabinoids in cannabis. There are others, like CBD (cannabidiol) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid). Each one has its own effects and uses. But THC and THCA are two of the most important to understand if you’re interested in how cannabis works.

How Do You Use THCA?

Some people are interested in using THCA for its possible health benefits. Since THCA is not psychoactive, it can be used in ways that don’t make you feel high. Here are some ways people use THCA:

Juicing raw cannabis leaves and flowers
Adding raw cannabis to smoothies
Using tinctures or oils made from raw cannabis

If you heat these products, you’ll turn THCA into THC. So, if you want to keep the THCA, don’t cook or smoke it.

How Do You Use THC?

THC is used in many different ways:

Smoking dried cannabis flowers
Vaping cannabis oil or flower
Eating edibles (like brownies or gummies)
Using tinctures or oils that have been heated

Each method has its own effects. Smoking and vaping work quickly, while edibles take longer to kick in but last longer.

Legal Issues

The laws around THC and THCA are different in different places. In many countries and states, THC is illegal or only allowed for medical use. THCA, because it is not psychoactive, is sometimes treated differently. However, since THCA can easily be turned into THC, it is often regulated in the same way.

Always check your local laws before buying or using cannabis products.

Side Effects and Safety

THC can cause side effects, especially if you use too much. Some possible side effects include:

Anxiety or paranoia
Dizziness
Fast heartbeat
Memory problems

THCA is not known to cause these effects, since it doesn’t interact with your brain in the same way. However, we still don’t know everything about THCA, so it’s best to use caution.

If you’re new to cannabis, start with a small amount and see how you feel. Talk to your doctor if you have any health problems or take other medications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can THCA get you high?
No, THCA is not psychoactive. It does not make you feel high. Only THC has this effect, and THCA must be heated to become THC.
Is THCA legal?
The legality of THCA depends on where you live. In many places, it is regulated the same as THC because it can be converted into THC. Always check your local laws.
Can I use THCA for medical reasons?
Some people are interested in the possible health benefits of THCA, such as reducing inflammation or nausea. However, more research is needed, and you should talk to your doctor before using THCA for medical purposes.

Final Thoughts

Understanding the difference between THC and THCA can help you make better choices about cannabis. THC is the compound that makes you feel high, while THCA is its non-psychoactive “parent.” THCA turns into THC when you heat it. This simple fact explains why raw cannabis doesn’t make you high, but smoking or cooking it does.

Whether you’re interested in cannabis for fun or for health reasons, knowing how these compounds work can help you use them safely and effectively. Always start slow, read labels carefully, and talk to a healthcare professional if you have any questions.