What is THCa?

Hemp-derived THCa refers to tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) that is sourced from hemp plants. Hemp, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant species, is legally defined as containing very low levels of THC (typically less than 0.3% on a dry weight basis) in many jurisdictions, including the United States.

THCa is the acidic precursor to THC, and it is abundant in raw cannabis plants, including hemp. Unlike THC, THCa does not induce psychoactive effects when consumed in its raw form. However, when exposed to heat through processes such as smoking, vaporization, or cooking (decarboxylation), THCa converts into THC, which does have psychoactive properties.

Hemp-derived THCa can be isolated and extracted from hemp plants using various extraction methods, such as solvent extraction or CO2 extraction. Once isolated, it can be used in a variety of products, including tinctures, topicals, edibles, and beverages.