The cannabis industry has seen a hatful of interesting new additions. Sellers are busily exploiting a legal loophole to offer products such as delta-8, THCO, HHC, and THCP. In response, lawmakers in various states are scrambling to close such loopholes, and in some cases, cannabinoids that are legal in one state are banned in the next.

THCA is another cannabinoid that may ultimately fall into the above category, but at present, it is widely available throughout the United States. The thing about THCA flower is that in its purchased form, it is non-intoxicating. However, once it is decarboxylated, which can happen through combustion (lighting the THC flower), it becomes THC, which is known for causing the intoxicating high synonymous with weed.

This article looks into THCA’s benefits and highlights its current legal status.

What Is THCA, and How Can It Help You?

THCA is also called tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and is found naturally in cannabis plants. It is a precursor to THC, but since it is non-intoxicating, it doesn’t cause a high. In THCA flower, the cannabinoid is created when you dry and cure the cannabis plant. Its immense stability means you can store it for a long time without causing any degradation in its quality.

There is a growing trend towards the use of so-called “raw cannabis” because THCA flower is linked with a host of medical benefits. For example, it is a neuroprotectant, which means it could help manage the symptoms of conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and multiple sclerosis.

Not many people seem to realize that there’s been a surprising amount of research into THCA. For instance, one study found that the cannabinoid helped reduce nausea-induced conditioning in rats. There is also evidence that it could reduce pain and inflammation, potentially slow the progression of cancer cells, and act as a relaxant, ensuring you have a better night’s sleep.

As such, a significant number of people are turning to it as a means of alternative supplementation. You can buy THCA flower, oils, capsules, edibles, and tinctures. If you have THCA flower, you might find that juicing the plant matter could be one of the most convenient methods of use. However, the ability to easily turn THCA into an intoxicating substance means there is confusion over its legality.

Can I Buy THCA Flower Legally?

At present, you can purchase products such as Premium Jane flowers legally in a variety of American states. Yet, it’s true to say that the legality of THCA flower is not a straightforward matter. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized the sale and cultivation of hemp flower. The legislation differentiated hemp from marijuana by saying hemp was cannabis with a maximum THC content of 0.3%.

So, in theory, if a seller sources its THCA flower from hemp, it can sell its products without facing any legal issues. However, there is a school of thought that suggests the definition of “THC” should include THCA. In this case, products such as THCA flower would be classified as illegal.

Remember, activating THCA so that it becomes THC and provides an intoxicating effect is really simple. All you need to do is decarboxylate it, which is a fancy term for exposing it to sufficient heat. Thus, if you light a THCA joint, you automatically activate the THC. Likewise, putting THCA flower in an oven at up to 245 degrees Fahrenheit for around 40 minutes will also do the job. 

THCA Flower – The Last Word

It is, unfortunately, true that some people will use THCA flower as a means of taking advantage of a loophole. That is, they will decarboxylate it to activate THC and get high. However, looking at THCA as a sneaky way to achieve intoxication is arguably short-sighted.

In its proper form, THCA flower has a host of possible benefits. It could provide relief from the symptoms of various medical conditions, including epilepsy, cachexia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Best of all, it can achieve these results without causing an intoxicating high.  

It would be a shame if the powers that be decided to ban THCA outright because it has a lot of utility. Hopefully, there’s a way to keep it legal because it’s capable of helping a lot of people.