Differences and Uses of THC and THCa In Legal Products 

If you’ve been shopping around and looking for legal THC, you might’ve come across a thing called THCa, either in solid crystal form or in a smokable flower. You can find this compound anywhere, and it promises effects that are similar to the usual THC benefits that we all know and love. But wait – isn’t this illegal, especially in Wisconsin? 

As it turns out, it isn’t. Today we’re taking you through the world of THCa, seeing how it differs from regular THC, figuring out what THCa can do, and showing you how you can try it out for yourself – let’s jump right in! 

THCa vs THC 

For starters, we should tell you the difference between THCa and regular THC. As you probably guessed, the letters in the acronym say the same thing – THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, and THCa is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. That “-olic acid” part is where things get interesting. 

Quick chemistry lesson – in plenty of places in nature you’ll find what are known as active and inactive compounds. Inactive compounds are basically collections of atoms and molecules that need to have something happen to them to become active, essentially converting their potential energy into actual energy. 

This is what happens with THCa. It’s an inactive compound of THC that’s usually found in raw or unheated strains of cannabis, which means something has to happen to it to give you that psychoactive response that you associate with THC. So by heating up, burning, or drying out the THCa compound, it turns into THC and gives you all the benefits therein. 

Does THCa Get You High? 

As previously mentioned, in its raw form, THCa doesn’t have the right features needed to get you high – however, if you were to put its raw concentrate into a crystal or flower, and then heat it, you’d have THC straight away. So officially, the answer is “legally no, but technically yes” – that make sense? 

What Are The Benefits of THCa? 

Under early testing, results show there’s quite a lot that THCa has to offer in terms of health and wellness, however, any form of help or CBD derivative has been approved by the FDA for medicinal use.

THC is being tested for its anti-inflammatory properties and although not approved by the FDA, early studies point to the potential to decrease pain associated with arthritis or seizures, and has even been used as an experimental treatment for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and multiple sclerosis. Of course, there’s also the fun psychoactive component that is associated with it. Quite a lot more research needs to be done here, but for now, the hype surrounding THCa seems to be pushing the frontier for medicinal use.

Is THCa Legal For Use In Wisconsin? 

The legality of THCa in Wisconsin isn’t really in doubt, but it is tricky. Wisconsin follows the law set out by the Farm Bill, which states that THCa is legal as long as its potential conversion to THC doesn’t exceed the 0.3% threshold that would throw its legality into jeopardy. Of course, we are always keeping an eye out on the most current laws and ensuring that the products we carry are within the legal regulations for safe consumption. 

Where Can I Buy THCa In Wisconsin? 

If you want to give THCa for a spin yourself, we’ve got just what you’re looking for in our store or online. We have flavored concentrates and flower as well, so stop by our Fond Du Lac or Oshkosh storefronts or our online inventory to grab yours today. Of course, we’re always available to answer any questions you might have!