What would you say if I was to tell you that hemp can get you high? After all these years of distinguishing between hemp and cannabis based on its ability to make you feel intoxicated, TCHa flower is here to shake up everything we thought we knew about what is legally classified as hemp.
Stick with me as I explain what THCa flower is and why it’s legal, as well as hook you up with the best strains and vendors in the country.
Want to buy THCa flower online?
If you already know everything you need to know about THCa flower, then here’s a quick introduction to the 3 best THCa hemp flower vendors around at the moment, as well as my favorite strains.
Be warned, however, they do tend to sell out of their high THCa strains quickly, so stock up while you can.
1. Arete Hemp (flower, pre rolls, carts, and concentrates)
What I recommend: Death Star and Northern Lights #5
- Third-party lab-tested for potency and terpenes
- Some of the highest cannabinoid and terpene profiles around
- Largest variety of high THCa hemp strains
- Stock my current #1 favorite THCa strain (Death Star)
- Prices start at just $10 for a gram
For a limited time, you can also get eight different THCa strains (3.5 g of each) for just $159.99!
Further reading: I reviewed some other products from Arete Hemp here.
2. Secret Nature CBD (flower and joints)
What I recommend: Blood Diamond and Mocha
- Third-party lab tested for potency
- Beautiful, pungent-smelling buds and perfectly rolled joints
- Smaller selection of strains that sell out incredibly quickly
- You can pick up an entire ounce for just $190
- Prices start at $40 for 3.6 grams
Further reading: Read my full Secret Nature review here.
3. Bloomz (flower, carts, and disposable vapes)
What I recommend: Grape Frosty and Platinum OG
- Third-party lab tested for potency
- Good variety of great tasting strains
- Hand-trimmed and perfectly cured
- Also sell THC-O, HHC, and Delta 8 flower
- Prices start at $44 for 3.5 grams
Further reading: You can read my review of Binoid, the sister brand of Bloomz, here.
What is THCa flower?
The THCa flower you see for sale online is a type of hemp flower that will get you high. Essentially, it’s the same as any cannabis flower you would buy at a dispensary, but in order for it to be classified and sold as hemp it must contain .3% Delta 9 THC or less at the time of testing.
Does THCa flower get you high?
Yes, when you smoke or vape a high THCa flower strain, you will feel high. The high THCa hemp flower strains I recommend below contain anywhere up to 24% THCa which, when decarboxylated through the process of smoking or vaping, is equal to around 21% THC.
THCa vs THC: What’s the difference?
THCa, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is what’s known as the acidic precursor to THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THCa is produced in the resinous trichomes of cannabis and hemp plants and it’s only when it goes through the process of decarboxylation that it’s transformed into THC.
So THC simply can’t exist (in nature at least) without THCa.
As well as their names, THCa and THC are almost identical in their chemical structure. The only difference is that THCa has a small extra caboxyl group, which causes it to be an acidic compound. When THCa is heated, exposed to UV light, or oxygen over time, it decarboxylates (loses these extra carbon molecules) and becomes THC.
So, the seeds used to grow high THCa hemp flower are actually the same as those used to grow cannabis. They’re monitored closely and tested throughout the grow process to ensure they remain compliant with hemp laws.
They’re also often harvested slightly earlier than usual to ensure that the THC levels aren;t give the opportunity to increase too much before post-harvest and post-cure testing.
You can read more about the acidic THCa cannabinoid here or about the endocannabinoid system in general, by clicking on the text links.
THCa vs THC on the label
High THCa flower and high THC flower are very similar products and this becomes especially clear when you look at the labeling of each.
First, let’s take a look at this cannabis flower label of a strain called Dutch Treat. You can see that the total THC amount quoted is 23.52%, making it highly potent, and this is the number that most customers will look at when they come into the dispensary to buy it.
This total THC is also broken down by the grower, Clandestine Gardens, to show where this THC is coming from. As you can see, almost the entire “total THC” content is coming from THCa (25.91%) as only 0.80% THC exists in the flower in its raw form.
Under ideal conditions, it’s estimated that THCa transforms into THC at a rate of around 87.7% when it’s decarboxylated, hence the sum shown in the image (0.877 x 25.91) + 0.80 = 23.52% Total THC.
Because the existing THC in this strain is over 0.3%, it’s classified as high-THC cannabis, so you wouldn’t be able to buy this legally unless you live in an area that has legalized cannabis at state level.
Next up, take a look at this lab report which shows a strain that contains 19.26% total THC. Generally-speaking, when it comes to flower, anything upwards of 17-18% total THC is considered to be strong and will elicit a potent high.
However, if you look at the amount of Delta 9 THC, you’ll see it only contains 0.267% Delta 9 THC (at the time of testing). This means we can confidently identify this strain as a hemp flower strain, but with 21.657% THCa, it will still get you super high.
Is THCa flower legal?
Yes, THCa flower is legal. It doesn’t really make much sense, but because of the specific wording used in the 2018 Hemp Farming Act, it doesn’t matter how much THCa is present in any given strain of hemp flower. As long as the amount of Delta 9 THC is .3% or less, it’s legally classified as hemp.
When questioned about THCa flower, Dr Terrence L Boos from the DEA said “material that is derived or extracted from the cannabis plant such as tissue culture and any other genetic material that has a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of no more than 0.3 percent on a dry weight basis meets the legal definition of “hemp” and is thus not controlled under the CSA [Controlled Substances Act].”
So, the Hemp Farming Act says that THCa hemp flower is legal and so does the DEA. We certainly aren’t going to argue with them, despite the fact that high THCa flower is basically the same thing as high THC cannabis.
#7 best high THCa strains
Now you know a bit more about THCa flower, let’s take a closer look at the best strains on the market right now.
#1. Death Star
Weighing in at over 20% THCa, the force is strong with this Death Star strain and it continues to dominate the #1 spot in all my best THCa strains lists, ever since trying it for the first time many moons ago.
On paper, this strain is an indica-leaning hybrid, but I find that it provides a deliciously invigorating and euphoric high that leaves me feeling like one of life’s “do-ers”. I’m focused, motivated, and positive, but it’s not just the effects that I love as it possesses an earthy skunky aroma that tastes as good as it smells.
The dense buds make a 3.5 gram baggy look a little smaller than others and their stickiness makes it a little more challenging to roll into a joint, but it’s SO worth it.
Arete Hemp’s version of Death Star contains a massive 23% THCa (over 20% total THC) and the terpenes are off the charts. All I ask is that you leave some for me, please.
#2. Northern Lights #5
Over the years, the Northern Lights strain has won more awards than me. That’s mildly embarrassing to admit but, in fairness, it really is an impressive strain that is hugely popular with both recreational and medicinal users alike.
This body-slamming indica’s effects are so relaxing and sedating, I wouldn’t be surprised if the term couch-lock was coined after someone smoked this specific strain (in fact, it’s known as a two-hit-and-quit strain).
When it comes to taste and smell, Northern Lights is straight-up old-school. Expect the intense gassy aromas to jump out of the bag straight up your nose (before you’ve even broken the seal properly) and the taste is very similar with a slight earthy sweetness.
Again, Arete Hemp seems to have the best small-batch harvests of Northern Lights. The last one I tried contained over 22% THCa and had every single one of my friends on their ass within just a few puffs.
#3. Grape Frosty
Grape Frosty is a slightly indica-dominant hybrid strain that offers a good balance of effects in the mind and body, lifting your spirits while relaxing your muscles, making it ideal for both daytime and nighttime use.
The buds are beautifully structured and, as their name suggests, absolutely covered in frosty trichomes that smell and taste of sour grapes and gas.
Bloomz has a delicious and beautiful batch of Grape Frosty, boasting 19.8% THCa, which will make a great all-rounder addition to your stash.
#4. Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond has a sharp and sweet citrus aroma, reminiscent of blood oranges and the flavor is gassy, sweet, and fruity.
Its buds are an intense forest green color with pockets of deep purple and millions of tiny little diamond trichomes littering the surface making it sparkle in the sunlight.
Blood Diamond is definitely all-the-way indica, but it’s not too heavily sedating, making it perfect for movie nights and chilling at home without sending you straight to sleep. It is fantastic for soothing your mind and body, alleviating nagging thoughts and releasing tension in your muscles.
Secret Nature’s Blood Diamond THCa flower is a cross between their Blood Diamond CBD strain and their THCa mother. It’s highly pungent and effective, third-party tested at 19.3% THCa.
#5. Jet Fuel Pie
Jet Fuel Pie is an exotic hybrid strain that is a true delight to the senses.
It literally reeks of gas with hints of sweetness and earthy pine and it offers a smooth smoke with a pure sweet and gassy taste.
Effects are uplifting and soothing, making it a great strain for alleviating stress and anxiety, and relaxing the body, without making you feel too lazy to get on with whatever you need to be doing.
Arete Hemp’s batch of Jet Fuel Pie is potent, with a total of 21.6% THCa, and highly pungent, keeping your nose pinned to the bag for a lot longer than usual.
#6. Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC)
AC is another indica-leaning hybrid strain that is sure to impress any lover of super gassy flower strains. Sour citrus aromas can be detected in the back of your nose and its unique sweet and spicy flavors will have you coming back for more than you need.
This strain isn’t as potent as some of the others on this list, but its effects are just as noticeable, with a happy, mood-boosting head high, quickly followed by a wave of tension-easing relaxation that will wash over your body from head to toe.
Both Arete Hemp and Bloomz have awesome harvests of Miracle Alien Cookies that you’ll find difficult to put down.
BUY NOW (from Arete Hemp)
BUY NOW (from Bloomz)
#7. Gorilla Glue #4 (GG4)
Gorilla Glue is one of the strongest THCa hemp strains I’ve ever tried, containing a massive 23.5% THCa. It’s advertised as an indica-leaning hybrid strain and it had me gorilla-glued to the couch with a big smile on my face in no time at all.
The dense but springy buds are nothing short of gorgeous as they’re covered with sticky, stinky sweet resinous trichomes. And it tastes great too, with hints of chocolate and coffee detected over the otherwise mostly-gassy flavor.
Like all of the strains I’ve tried from Arete Hemp, GG4 will be everything you’re hoping it to be and more.
High THCa flower for sale
As THCa flower continues to increase in popularity, more and more online vendors are popping up competing for their share of this particular profitable pie. However, as with all cannabis and hemp flower, the quality can vary massively from one store to another.
I’ve tried lots of different THCa flower vendors, but the three I have recommended above are my personal favorites, for both quality and price. If you don’t find something you like here, then make sure you check for third-party lab reports that verify potency (and if possible, terpenes), to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Thanks for reading!
