Free Shipping Over $99 ✦ 100-Day Guarantee

Is All Weed THCa? Differences Between "Hemp" and "Marijuana" Explained

Is all weed THCa? Not exactly. Learn the differences between THCa hemp and marijuana, their legal definitions, and how they affect potency and effects.

Is All Weed THCa? Differences Between "Hemp" and "Marijuana" Explained

Written by Brandon Topp

Every year, the cannabis industry continues to bloom with new products and terminology, making it more important than ever to understand the distinctions between hemp, marijuana, and THCa.

Many people first visit our website and wonder, is all weed THCa? The short answer is no. While all raw cannabis contains THCa, not all cannabis is classified the same under the law.

Understanding the differences between THCa, THC, hemp, and marijuana can help you discover new options for smoking cannabis that you weren't previously privy to.

If you're simply looking for high-quality THCa cannabis, check out Mood’s selection of hemp-derived THC products today.

Table of Contents

  • What Is THCa?

  • How THCa Differs from THC

  • The Legal Definition of "Hemp" vs. "Marijuana"

  • Why Some Weed Is Legal, and Some Isn’t

  • Choosing the Right Product for You

  • Exploring Mood’s THCa Products

What Is THCa?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) is the precursor to THC, the psychoactive component responsible for altered perception.

In its raw form, THCa is a naturally occurring cannabinoid and non-psychoactive precursor, meaning that simply consuming raw cannabis buds won’t get you high the same way that consuming THC will.

However, when THCa is heated through smoking, vaping, or cooking, it becomes more potent, leading to the familiar cannabis high.

Get your own THCa Flower from Mood's extensive selection of strains.

How THCa Differs from THC

The biggest difference between THCa and THC comes in how each is activated:

  • THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid): Found in raw cannabis; non-intoxicating.

  • THC (tetrahydrocannabinol): Created when THCa is heated; produces psychoactive effects.

Because of these differences, raw cannabis and THCa products are often sold legally under the label of hemp if they meet federal compliance standards.

The Legal Definition of "Hemp" vs. "Marijuana"

The 2018 Farm Bill created a legal distinction between hemp and marijuana:

  • Hemp: Defined as cannabis containing less than 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight.

  • Marijuana: Cannabis containing more than 0.3% Δ9-THC by dry weight; federally illegal but legal in some states.

Since THCa isn’t THC until heated, certain high-THCa products remain legally classified as hemp—as long as they meet the 0.3% Δ9-THC threshold before becoming more potent.

Every one of Mood's hemp-derived THC products is Farm Bill compliant.

Why Some Weed Is Legal, and Some Isn’t

Even though marijuana and high-THCa hemp may look, smell, and feel the same, federal law only regulates THC content, not potential THC content.

This allows for THCa-rich flower to be sold legally under the hemp classification. Hemp flowers, edibles, and concentrates can feature various THC forms—i.e., naturally occurring cannabinoids like THCp, THCv, and nano-THC.

It's also worth noting that Delta-9 THC gummies that are Farm Bill compliant can still have potent effects and feature similar levels of total THC as comparable products you might find at a dispensary.

Exploring Mood’s THCa Products

Mood offers a variety of THCa-rich cannabis products that cater to different consumption preferences.

Whether you enjoy smoking cannabis, vaping, or using cannabis extracts, Mood provides high-quality hemp-derived cannabinoids that comply with federal government regulations.

THCa Flower

For those who enjoy cannabis flower, Mood’s premium THCa flower delivers high potency and authentic cannabis experience while remaining compliant with federal hemp laws.

With various strains available, customers can find products that meet their desired psychoactive properties and terpene profiles.

Discerning shoppers can find flower categorized by Top Shelf, Premium, and Economy on the Mood Shop.

THCa Vapes

If you prefer to vape THCa, Mood offers a selection of THCa disposable vapes that deliver smooth and efficient consumption.

As strong as any high-THC vapes you may have tried, these sleek penjamins provide a great vehicle to showcase the effects of THCa.

Vaping THCa allows users to experience its full effects discreetly and conveniently. Mood's Vapes are perfect for just that.

THCa Concentrates

For those who prefer high-potency THC cannabis extracts, Mood’s THCa concentrates provide a powerful option for dabbing or enhancing other cannabis products.

Each of these extracts delivers psychoactive cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant in a concentrated, intensified experience.

Among our favorites are the Afghan Hash, THCa Ice Queen Dab Badder, and a marvel of cannabinoid research, our THCa Diamonds.

Choosing the Right Product for You

If you're looking for THCa-rich flower that delivers the same effects as traditional cannabis, choosing a high-quality brand is essential.

At Mood, we offer premium THCa flower that meets all federal hemp guidelines, ensuring a high-quality, potent experience.

Whether you want to smoke, vape, or use cannabis extracts, Mood has a product for you.

FAQs

Is all cannabis technically THCa before heating?

Yes, most raw cannabis contains THCa before being heated, which is when THCa converts.

However, some strains naturally contain more THCa than others, affecting THC levels and potency.

Is THCa legal everywhere?

THCa flower is federally legal under the Farm Bill, but some state laws still vary, so always check your local laws before purchasing.

Mood's website filters based on what products are available to ship to your state.

Does THCa flower get you high?

Yes!

Once heated, THCa becomes more potent, producing the same psychoactive effects as traditional marijuana, which is still a federally illegal substance.

Can you fail a drug test using THCa flower?

Yes. Since THCa transforms into THC when consumed, it will likely result in a positive drug test, just like regular cannabis.

The only difference between the two is where they are in the life cycle.

Where can I buy my own THCa flower?

Check out Mood's selection of high-quality THCa flower here.

What are hemp-derived THC and hemp-derived cannabinoids?

Hemp-derived simply refers to the THC and cannabinoids in products that legally qualify as hemp per the 2018 Farm Bill.

Try Mood’s Premium THCa Flower

If you’re looking for potent, high-quality THCa flower that delivers the effects of traditional cannabis while remaining federally compliant, Mood has you covered.

Explore our premium THCa flower and experience top-tier quality with nationwide shipping.

Explore our favorites

Our THC experts
are standing by

Our THC experts
are standing by