Differences Between THC and THCA: Uses, Benefits, & Risks

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Learn how these cannabis compounds differ with our full guide

Co-authored by Riley Kirk, PhD and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Fact Checked

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• What is THCA?
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• What is THC?
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• Differences
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• Is THCA legal?
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• Other THC Forms
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• Is it addictive?
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• Key Takeaways
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• Tips

|Show more |Show less

THCA products have been popping up in more stores, and it can be a little confusing knowing how it differs from THC products. Even though both are found in cannabis plants, there are some key differences with how they’re used and the effects they have. Keep reading to learn what THC and THCA are, and what sets them apart from each other. We also spoke to multiple cannabis and CBD experts to learn more about the chemical differences, if THCA is legal, and other forms of THC.

What’s the difference between THC and THCA?

Cannabis researcher Riley Kirk explains that THCA appears in raw cannabis products and it does not get you high like THC does. She notes that raw THCA products contain carboxylic acid that prevents you from getting high, but it converts to THC after smoking or heating the THCA.

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Section 1 of 7:

What is THCA?

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1. 
   THCA is the non-psychoactive form of THC made by a cannabis plant. Cannabis research scientist Riley Kirk explains that cannabis plants actually produce THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). She says, the THC “starts in the acidic form” and “you need to introduce heat in order to turn THCA into THC.” Without heat, she mentions that you’re not going to feel high after consuming THCA because it’s less active in your body.

   • Raw THCA is primarily used for its health benefits, such as being a natural anti-inflammatory and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Riley Kirk, PhD is a Cannabis Research Scientist and author of the book Reefer Wellness about the effects and uses of cannabis.

   Tony Robinson is a CBD Expert with 20 years of experience writing about cannabis, CBD, and related supplements.

   Lauren Forsch is a CBD Expert and founder of the cannabis company and lifestyle brand Popped.NYC in New York.
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Section 2 of 7:

What is THC?

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1. 
   THC is the psychoactive chemical that forms when you heat up THCA. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main chemical that’s responsible for giving you a high when you use marijuana. When THCA is heated up while you’re smoking, vaping, or making edibles, the acid in THCA gets removed and converts into THC.

   • Kirk notes that the process of heating THCA to activate the cannabinoids and turn them into THC is called “decarboxylation.”

Section 3 of 7:

Differences Between THC and THCA

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1. 
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   Chemical structure Kirk explains that THCA contains carboxylic acid in its chemical structure. Because of the acid, THCA doesn’t bond very well with the CB1 receptors in your brain, so it prevents the psychoactive effects and “high” that you would get with THC. After you smoke, vape, cook, or heat THCA, the carboxylic acid breaks down and leaves behind the THC that bonds more easily to your brain receptors.

   • THCA breaks down into THC slowly over time, but it converts immediately when you heat it.
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   Effects THCA doesn’t have any psychoactive effects when it’s consumed, so it won’t give you a euphoric high feeling. On the other hand, THC bonds to your CB1 brain receptors and gives you a high, which could impair your memory, concentration, reaction time, and ability to make decisions.
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   Benefits THCA in its raw form acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, and some research suggests that it can reduce memory loss and prevent seizures. Other research suggests that it could help with nausea and slow down cancerous growths. THC has been used medicinally because it helps relieve chronic pain and inflammation, IBS, and some neurological disorders, but higher doses can have a psychoactive effect.
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   Forms THCA is mostly used in its raw form to maximize its benefits. Many people put raw THCA flower in smoothies, juice, or fresh salads. You can also use topical products and THCA tinctures. Any flower or joints you get from a dispensary are technically THCA, but they convert to THC once they’re heated up. Other forms of THC can include oil concentrates, edibles, tinctures, and topicals.

   • While it’s possible to make THCA edibles, be careful not to heat the THCA up because it will convert to THC.
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   Potential side effects THCA is normally seen as pretty safe, but some people have experienced digestive issues, dizziness, dry mouth, and lightheadedness after higher doses. THC has similar side effects, but because it’s a psychoactive chemical, it can cause slowed reaction times, coordination issues, impaired thinking skills, and an altered sense of time.

   • In higher doses, THC can also cause panic attacks or hallucinations.
   • If you smoke THC or THCA products, it can also cause damage to your lungs or increase your risk for cardiovascular diseases.
   • Hemp products are not regulated by the FDA, so buying THCA outside of a licensed dispensary may contain harmful additives that make side effects more severe.
   • The full effects and benefits of THCA are still being studied, so there isn’t a lot of information about long-term effects.
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Section 4 of 7:

Is THCA legal?

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1. 
   THCA is legal as long as it has less than 0.3% concentration. Tony Robinson, a CBD expert, notes that cannabis with 0.3% or less THC is classified as hemp, but greater than 0.3% is classified as marijuana. THCA products with a higher concentration are only available from dispensaries in areas where marijuana is legalized, but the legal lower dose is legal in other areas.

   • Keep in mind that some state laws may prohibit THCA even though it’s legal federally.

Section 5 of 7:

Other Forms of THC & CBD

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   Delta-8 Delta-8 THC is another psychoactive chemical found in hemp plants, but it’s usually found in much lower amounts. Because there isn’t a lot of delta-8 in cannabis, chemicals are used to convert the other cannabinoids into delta-8. Delta-8 gives you a similar high as regular THC, but products containing it are unregulated and may not be safe to consume.

   • Delta-8 may have stronger concentrations than what’s found naturally on a hemp plant, so it may cause some people to have adverse side effects, like nausea, loss of balance, and hallucinations.
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   Delta-9 Delta-9 is just another name for regular THC in cannabis. The full name of the chemical compound is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, so some people shorten it to delta-9. If you see something labeled with delta-9, it’s the same thing as a product labeled with THC.

   • When THCA is heated, it converts to delta-9 THC.
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   CBD Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the natural chemicals found in a cannabis plant, but CBD expert Lauren Forsch explains that it doesn’t get you high like THC. She goes on to say that “CBD helps the body work naturally with itself” and “the feeling [after using it] is being more grounded.”

   • Forsch also notes that CBD is an anti-inflammatory and can help suppress your appetite.
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Section 6 of 7:

Can you get addicted to THCA?

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1. 
   THCA has a low potential for addiction, but it is possible. Because THCA doesn’t give you a high, it’s less likely of a chance that you’ll get addicted to it. However, THCA can convert into THC when you heat it up, so products with higher THCA levels could still get you high if you smoke them or cook them in edibles.

Section 7 of 7:

Key Takeaways

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1. 
   THC and THCA both come from cannabis plants, but there are some key differences between the two chemicals. When you’re trying to choose between THCA and THC products to use, keep these considerations in mind:

   • Chemical structure: THCA contains carboxylic acid, and THC does not.
   • Effects: THCA doesn’t give you a euphoric high, but THC does.
   • Benefits: THCA is an anti-inflammatory that may also prevent nausea, seizures, and memory loss. THC has been used to treat chronic pain, IBS, and neurological disorders.
   • Ways to Use It: THCA is usually eaten or used in its raw form in topicals or tinctures. THC is consumed by smoking, vaping, taking edibles or tinctures, or applying topicals.
   • Legality: THCA is legal to buy below 0.3% concentration, but may vary by state laws. THC is only legal in areas where marijuana is legalized.
   • Addiction Risk: THCA has a low addiction risk because it isn’t psychoactive, but a THC is more likely because of the high.
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Tips

• Always check the state laws and regulations for THC and THCA products in your area to ensure they’re legal to use.
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• Only purchase THC from a licensed dispensary to ensure you’re getting safe and authentic products.
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