Cannabis 101: What Is The Difference Between THC and THCa?
When talking about cannabis there are often the terms THC and THCa thrown around with not much discretion on the difference between the two. At the end of chemical processes within cannabis including binding, prenylation, and cyclization, two acids combine. These acids are olivetolic and geranyl pyrophosphate acids. Enzymes within the plant combine these acids to form CBGa, the first cannabinoid.
CBGa is the chemical precursor for all other cannabinoids within cannabis, including CBG. The difference between CBGa and CBG is the presence of a carboxylic acid group. This acid group detaches as CO2 when exposed to heat. Thus, when CBGa is exposed to heat, it becomes CBG. Similarly, when THCa is exposed to heat, it becomes THC.
Before CBGa becomes CBG it can be processed into THCa. It can also become CBDa, CBCa, or any other acidic cannabinoid. When THCa decarboxylates it becomes THC.
THC is an active cannabinoid. THCa is an inactive cannabinoid. While THC is psychoactive, THCa cannot be used by the body in the same way. THCa is too large to be accepted in the human body's CB1 receptors. Cannabinoids must be able to access the CB1 receptors to cause psychoactive effects. The acidic forms, such as THCa or CBGa, are considered inactive because they are unable to intoxicate users. They still have uses, however.
Potential Medical Benefits Of THCa
Anti-Cancer
While THC shares many of these properties, THCa was found to be even more effective as an antiemetic. THCa has a unique profile, but most THCa present in cannabis will be turned into THC through exposure to heat. Sunlight, smoking it, vaping it, and simple exposure to room temperature decarboxylates THCa. While cannabis growing and fresh cannabis are particularly rich in THCa, it's hard to consume via traditional methods or from aged plants. Thus, those looking to medicate with cannabinoids are better off trusting the active forms.
Legal Purchasing Limits for Cannabis Products
Adults 21 and over can purchase up to one ounce of usable cannabis flower, 16 ounces of cannabis-infused edibles in solid form, 72 ounces of cannabis drinkables, and 7 grams of cannabis concentrates.
Three ounces of usable cannabis flower, forty-eight ounces of cannabis-infused edibles in solid form, two hundred sixteen ounces of cannabis drinkables, and twenty-one grams of cannabis concentrates, per the Washington State Department of Health.
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