Mood is federally legal! How?

All our products are federally legal and have been since the 2018 Farm Bill. We have all our products tested regularly by third-party labs, to ensure our compliance with federal law. Technically speaking, the Farm Bill legalized cannabis products containing less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight. As gummies are relatively heavy, they can contain a lot of D9 THC whilst remaining federally lawful, and our flowers contain high amounts of naturally occurring THCa, which turns into D9 THC when smoked, giving you the same great feeling of illegal marijuana, whilst still being federally lawful.

How do you create the different moods?

Lots of people have heard of cannabis being indica or sativa — but we go way beyond these simple definitions! Our in-house cannabis experts start by reviewing detailed lab tests which measure levels of naturally occurring minor cannabinoids and terpenes. We classify these results based on the sum of their parts, which allows us to determine way more about the results than simple Indica or Sativa types. Everybody reacts slightly differently to cannabis, so it’s not a 100% perfect science, but most people who shop according to mood are very satisfied!

All Mood products are regularly tested by third-party labs to ensure safety and federal legality. .

Getting high: what our cannabis feels like

Our federally legal cannabis gives you the fun THC high and wellness benefits you’re looking for, without the risk, danger and inconsistency of illegal marijuana. We’re so confident in our growers and producers, that we offer a 100 day money back guarantee.

Will this show up on a drug test?

Our products will cause you to test positive for THC. We recommend not using them if you are required to pass a drug test for marijuana.

THC vs. THCa Percentage: Which Is Stronger?

Written by Brandon Topp

When you pick up a cannabis product and check the label, you’ll often see both THC and THCa listed. But what’s the difference—and which percentage really tells you how strong the effects will be?

The answer lies in how these cannabinoids behave in raw cannabis plants and what happens when you apply heat. The percentages on your label matter, but they don’t always mean what they seem.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to compare THC vs. THCa percentage and which offers stronger effects depending on how you consume your flower.

Thinking about trying federally legal hemp with strong effects? Check out our selection of premium high-THCa strains.

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What Is THC?
What Is THCa?
Hemp vs. Marijuana Under the Farm Bill
Why THCa Percentage Is Usually Higher
How THCa Turns Into THC
Smoking vs. Eating: Why Method Matters
THC vs. THCa Percentage: Which Is Stronger?
How to Read Lab Reports and Product Labels
Final Thoughts on Potency and Effects
FAQs
Explore Mood’s High-THCa Hemp Flower

What Is THC?

THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis.

It’s the molecule responsible for the “high” and the most researched psychoactive compound in the plant. THC binds with CB1 receptors in the brain to produce euphoria, altered perception, and other classic effects associated with consuming THC.

This compound is what most cannabis consumers think of when evaluating potency. But in raw cannabis, THC appears in only trace amounts. That’s why THCa, its chemical precursor, is often more relevant when evaluating flower.

What Is THCa?

THCa, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in raw cannabis plants—especially in young cannabis flowers that haven’t been exposed to heat. Unlike THC, THCa is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, meaning it doesn’t bind to brain receptors and won’t get you high in its raw form.

Still, THCa produces serious effects when smoked or vaped. That’s because it becomes potent when heated, unlocking the psychoactive properties cannabis is known for. This makes THCa content one of the most important markers of potency in hemp flower.

Shop popular Mood strains like Pluto or Super Buff Cherry to experience ultra-potent THCa firsthand.

Hemp vs. Marijuana Under the Farm Bill

Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, the legal difference between hemp and marijuana comes down to THC content—specifically, less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.

Crucially, this limit applies to Delta-9 only. THCa and other cannabinoids are not restricted as long as they stay within that total THC threshold before heating.

This distinction is why you can legally buy THCa flower, THCa diamonds, and other potent THCa products—even though they may produce effects nearly identical to high-THC marijuana once smoked.

Curious about legality? We break it down in our post on how hemp stays legal but potent.

Why THCa Percentage Is Usually Higher

If you’ve seen flower with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC but 24% THCa, that’s no mistake.

THCa is the dominant cannabinoid in freshly harvested cannabis, while THC only appears after the product has been heated. That means the THCa percentage tells you much more about how strong the high will be once smoked.

A good THCa percentage for strong effects usually ranges from 20% to 30%. Higher percentages mean more potential for THC conversion, though not all THCa converts completely during combustion.

Explore high-testing strains like Trap Cherries and Tropicana Cherry Cookies for a standout THCa experience.

How THCa Turns Into THC

When you apply heat to cannabis—whether by smoking, vaping, or dabbing—a chemical reaction occurs that transforms THCa into THC.

This change is what unlocks the psychoactive compound that delivers effects like euphoria and relaxation.

This conversion process is key to understanding THCa to THC dynamics. THCa starts out non-psychoactive but becomes active through heat, which is why the THCa content in flower is the real measure of its strength for most users.

Check out our post on THCa vs. THC for a deeper dive into how they compare.

Smoking vs. Eating: Why Method Matters

If you're consuming THCa through smoking or vaping, it turns into THC and delivers potent psychoactive effects. If you're using raw cannabis in a salad or juicing it, it remains inactive and doesn’t get you high.

So, when it comes to THCa vs. THC percentage, it all comes down to how you plan to consume your cannabis. The chemical structure remains similar, but the results can be totally different.

Mood offers smokable flower, prerolls, and more—all designed to help you experience the full power of THCa. Explore our shop here.

THC vs. THCa Percentage: Which Is Stronger?

In the debate between THCa and THC, the stronger cannabinoid depends on use:

Unheated: THC is stronger because THCa stays inactive.
Smoked or vaped: THCa becomes stronger because it starts out in higher concentrations and converts to THC through heat.

For flower and other smokables, THCa is the real indicator of strength. Many cannabis consumers now shop specifically by THCa percentage to gauge final potency after heating.

Looking for a smooth and hard-hitting strain? Try Pluto, a favorite for its heavy-hitting effects.

How to Read Lab Reports and Product Labels

To make the best decision, here’s what to look for on any cannabis label or COA (certificate of analysis):

THCa %: Shows the potential THC content that can be released by heating
THC %: Should be below 0.3% for hemp compliance
Total THC %: May be listed or calculated (often: THCa × 0.877 + THC)
Other cannabinoids: i.e., CBG or CBD also may influence the overall effects

Learning how to evaluate THCa and THC percentages helps you choose the best cannabis product for your goals—whether that’s potency, smoothness, or specific therapeutic effects.

Get familiar with testing, sourcing, and more in our guide to how to read cannabis lab reports.

Final Thoughts on Potency and Effects

When comparing THC vs. THCa percentage, it’s not just about which number is higher—it’s about understanding how the product is used. Raw THCa won’t get you high on its own, but it transforms into the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis with heat.

This makes THCa natural to high-potency hemp flower and a smart option for shoppers who want legal cannabis that still delivers powerful results. Whether you’re exploring THCa distillate, smokable flower, or raw cannabis, knowing the difference between THCa and THC is essential.

Ready to try high-THCa strains that deliver on strength, flavor, and compliance? Browse Mood’s full lineup.

FAQs

What is the difference between THC and THCa?

THC is the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. THCa is its non psychoactive precursor found in raw cannabis plants that only becomes active when heated.

What’s a good THCa percentage?

A good THCa percentage for flower is usually between 20–30%. The higher the THCa content, the more potent effects you’ll get when the flower is smoked.

Will THCa show up on drug tests?

Yes. Even though THCa is inactive in raw form, smoking it converts THCa to THC, which can show up on standard drug screenings.

Can you get high from consuming raw THCa?

No. Raw THCa is non-intoxicating. Only when heated does it become THC and produce psychoactive effects.

Why is there almost no THC listed on my flower label?

Because the flower hasn’t been heated yet. THCa is the dominant cannabinoid in unheated cannabis flowers, and most of the final THC content is created when you smoke it.

Explore Mood’s High-THCa Hemp Flower

Looking for the best legal flower that still brings the heat? Mood offers high-THCa hemp strains that deliver a high THC percentage once smoked—without breaking federal law. Whether you want bold flavors or knockout potency, we’ve got the strain for you.

Shop top picks like Gush Mints, Pluto, Trap Cherries, Super Buff Cherry, and Tropicana Cherry Cookies today at Mood.com.