The short answer is, yes, yes it is real. It is just as real as any flower you get from a dispo in any medical or recreational cannabis market. But how can you get THCA flower in markets that still view any cannabis products as illegal, you may ask? Let me tell you and you will be shocked when you see how simple this is.

Back in 2018, our US government passed a version of a farm bill that allows for legal growing and consuming of hemp products. That’s right, hemp. And for those who need a refresher, hemp and marijuana are all part of the cannabis family. Both hemp and marijuana contain some level of THC as well as CBD. But the key with the farm bill is that any hemp product/flower cannot be sold for consumption if it contains over 0.3% THC. So what you see now is hemp flower/bud being harvested and tested for THC percentages earlier in the cure which allows for lower levels of THC to be detected at the time of testing. So what the hemp flower has is low levels of THC (i.e. under 0.3%) but normal levels of THCA, which is the precursor to THC.

Following along so far? So what is the difference between THCA and THC when it comes to potency or effect on the body and mind? Nothing. That’s right…nothing. The only difference is that THCA’s potency cannot be experienced until you light that THCA flower on fire (i.e. combusting/smoking it). Once you light it on fire, the THCA converts to THC and bam…you are literally consuming the same flower as the dispo sells except you can get your flower delivered right to your door…LEGALLY.

So now that you understand (hopefully) what THCA flower is, is it really the same as flower from the marijuana plant? Will it get you just as elevated? Are the terpenes the same?

Here is my experience and take on it all. I have smoked THCA flower along side my dispo flower now for a few months. At first I was like, “there is no way this is the same stuff. It’s going to be less effective, taste bad, smell bad…” etc etc. Guess what, there is NO difference when it comes to effects. A good “in da couch” indica from hemp will have you just as couch locked as a good indica from marijuana. Bag appeal and smell are just as good, at least the strains I have picked up are. Taste? There might be an argument that the taste is not as strong maybe due to the shorter cure times which could also mean the terps are not quite as prevalent either when smoked.

BUT…overall…I would say that the trend of THCA flower is here to stay. The question really will be, “how long will our local and state governments allow this?” The “loophole” as it is called is just that, a loophole in the bill that I am not sure the federal government saw coming. Products such as Delta 8 and HHC have all come to fruition and on the market due to this 2018 Farm Bill loop hole and some local governments are starting to crack down on the sale of such products.

And you have to wonder when the alcohol producers will start to lobby hard against this loophole? As cannabis becomes used more widespread, data is surfacing that alcohol consumption drops. How long will that industry sit by before they start to attack THCA etc? I would bet on sooner than later.

So I say get it while the getting is hot. The loophole is still there and you can peruse some online shops like VIIA Hemp and pick some quality THCA flower and have it shipped, in bulk even, right to your door. Take advantage of it while you can if you are a believer in this plant like I am.