THC vs THCA: What We Know About This Cannabis Cousin Compound

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One letter makes a big difference. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) are cousin cannabis compounds that draw plenty of comparisons and controversy. The former gets you high – the famed psychedelic component of the cannabis experience – and the latter doesn’t. However, this all changes when heated. THCA drops the ‘A’ when smoked or vaped and transforms into THC. This distinction matters significantly under current regulation since THCA is a hemp-derived cannabinoid, making it federally legal with an entire market emerging as a result.

Heading into 2025, expect this compound to remain in the headlines and under political scrutiny. While the debate continues, early research paints a positive picture since THCA exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, and anti-seizure effects. Yet alongside these promising findings, today’s regulatory vacuum attracts questionable operators who grow and sell without standardized oversight.

To navigate this emerging market responsibly, it’s important to grasp both the verified science and the remaining unknowns. Understanding these factors is crucial for consumers and policymakers to decide the future of this extra-lettered cannabinoid.

What You Need to Know About THCA

You’ve likely seen advertisements or discussions and wondered – what is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is the acidic parent compound of THC. The presence of a single molecular group changes how it interacts with the body, meaning ingestion alone doesn’t cause a psychoactive response. This all changes, however, once heat enters the equation. Via smoking, vaping, or cooking – processes that begin decarboxylation – THCA transforms into the familiar THC molecule, dropping that extra group and becoming psychoactive.

This remains legal under current federal law because THCA falls into the hemp-derived cannabinoid category. As long as the product contains less than 0.3% delta-9 THC, as established by Farm Bill 2018, THCA is federally legal in its natural state – in stark contrast to its heated counterpart. It’s this unlikely regulatory status that’s led to a booming market, particularly in areas where traditional cannabis is restricted.

We’re now in an admittedly unusual situation where consumers can legally purchase THCA products and, through simple heating, achieve effects similar to traditional cannabis. While this might seem like a mere legal loophole for recreational consumers, THCA in its unheated form may also offer distinct therapeutic benefits without psychoactive effects – a characteristic that interests researchers and medical professionals.

What the Science Says

Much like other cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), THCA shows some exciting possibilities in the lab. Most notably, THCA demonstrates promising neuroprotective properties. A recent study with mice showed it could help lower proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease while improving cognitive function. Additional research points to THCA’s potential in reducing nausea, particularly in chemotherapy patients, and its role in neuroprotective actions.

These are early days of research, and we should look forward to more funding and scrutiny in this direction. Most studies until now involve animals and therefore human trials are the crucial next step in confirming potential outcomes. Nonetheless, these studies are a strong sign that THCA offers more than simple recreation and could hold the key to important treatments going forward.

What the Law Says

At the same time, we’ll have to see what happens regarding the compound’s legal status heading into the new year. For starters, Farm Bill 2018 is in limbo. The omnibus agricultural policy is typically updated every five years but hit a stalemate in 2023. At the same time, we’ll have to see what happens regarding the compound’s legal status heading into the new year. Despite receiving a one-year extension, this expired again in September with no formal policy update or extension enacted. Nonetheless, we are seeing some movement in this lame-duck period and it's pointing to a potentially harder stance on intoxicating cannabinoids in the new year. In just the last few weeks, the Senate Democratic version of Farm Bill 2024 gave us a glimpse of what might be coming – a total THC standard of 0.3%. This goes beyond the current ruling that solely pertains to delta-9 THC and would make delta-8 THC or THCA products illegal if they exceed that total THC threshold. While CBD and delta-8 products under 0.3% total THC would stay legal, it's hardly reassuring for business owners or consumers in this emerging industry. All stakeholders will need to closely watch this space.

Meanwhile, in an ongoing federal vacuum, some states are moving to fill the void. THCA is in the crosshairs of specific jurisdictions much like another psychedelic hemp-derived compound, Delta 8. Rhode Island, South Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New Hampshire count blanket bans or restrictive policies regarding THCA. It remains to be seen if more join this list. Consumers should check their jurisdictions and stay up-to-date with federal movements but, until such time, operate with the understanding that THCA is still legal.

Likewise, it’s up to consumers to do due diligence about who’s making the product. There are poor producers in this space who don’t test for purity and potency, which not only results in worse products but potentially dangerous outcomes. It’s therefore essential to look for third-party lab-tested certification to ensure quality and accurate labeling. This ensures the THCA is free from harmful contaminants and that the cannabinoid content matches what’s advertised.

The THCA story ultimately comes down to that single letter ‘A’. In its natural form, the compound offers promising therapeutic potential without psychoactive effects, remaining federally legal while research continues. Remove that letter through heat, however, and you have traditional THC – highlighting why this topic generates both excitement and controversy in equal measure. Watch this space.

About the Author

Scott Mazza is the co-founder and COO of Vitality CBD (Buffalo, NY) and Certified Headies. Hailing from a background in finance, Scott is well-versed in the benefits of hemp and is passionate about providing people with a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals.