What is THCA flower — and why is everyone suddenly talking about it? If you’ve been seeing THCA flower pop up online and wondering whether it’s legal, whether it gets you high, and how it differs from regular cannabis, this guide breaks it all down. I also review 2 strains from Bay Smokes: the Gelato Biscotti hybrid and the Crostada indica, tested through a Happy Camper pipe and a HyperDyn vaporizer in Los Angeles.
What Is THCA Flower? The Science Explained
THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the raw, unheated precursor to THC. In a living cannabis plant, psychoactive THC doesn’t actually exist yet — it exists as THCA. The conversion from THCA to THC happens when you apply heat: combustion (smoking), vaporization, or decarboxylation in an oven.
Here’s the key point: when a cannabis label says “28% THC,” what it actually means is 28% THCA. The actual pre-heat THC content of most cannabis plants is only 1–3%. THCA flower is simply cannabis where that pre-heat THC percentage is below 0.3% — qualifying it as hemp under federal law, while the THCA content can still be very high.
Is THCA Flower Legal in the USA?
Under the 2018 US Farm Bill, hemp is defined as cannabis plants with less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. THCA flower qualifies as hemp because, before combustion, its actual THC content is under that threshold. This is the legal framework that allows THCA flower to be sold and shipped nationally — though some states have moved to restrict it. Always check your local laws before purchasing.
The practical effect: what is THCA flower if not regular weed with a legal workaround? The experience is nearly identical — once you heat THCA flower, the THCA converts to THC and you get high exactly as you would from dispensary cannabis.
2 Bay Smokes Strains Reviewed: Gelato Biscotti vs Crostada
Bay Smokes sent over 2 strains to review, plus a sample of their THCA live hash rosin. Here’s how the flower performed:
Gelato Biscotti Hybrid (28% THCA)
The standout of the 2 strains. The Gelato Biscotti is a hybrid with delicious flavor and a well-rounded high that hits both body and mind. Smoked through the Happy Camper pipe (which has a built-in activated carbon filter), the taste was excellent and the high was mellow but functional — the kind of high where you can still go for lunch, have conversations, and brainstorm ideas. After 3–5 hits you feel it deeply, but it doesn’t overwhelm.
Bay Smokes packages this with 62% humidity packs to keep the flower fresh. The smalls (popcorn buds) are what was included in the review sample — 3.5g for $28, which is solid value for THCA flower of this quality.
Crostada Indica (25–26% THCA)
The Crostada is an indica strain with a slightly more body-focused effect. Vaped through the HyperDyn at 800°F, the flavor was distinct and pleasant — reminiscent of another strain but hard to pin down. The high leaned more toward relaxation and body buzz, though not as heavily sedative as some pure indicas. If you’re deciding between the 2, go Gelato Biscotti for activity; go Crostada for winding down.
Does THCA Flower Get You as High as Regular Cannabis?
The short answer: yes. Once you apply heat — whether smoking, vaping, or cooking — THCA converts to THC. The experience is functionally identical to dispensary cannabis. There’s nothing done in a laboratory to THCA flower; it’s not chemically modified. It’s simply cannabis grown under conditions that keep the pre-heat THC below 0.3% while allowing high THCA content.
If you’re asking “what is THCA flower going to feel like?” — exactly like the strain percentage indicates. A 28% THCA strain hits like a 28% THC strain from a dispensary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is THCA flower?
THCA flower is hemp-classified cannabis flower that has less than 0.3% THC by dry weight, but high levels of THCA — the precursor to THC. When heated, THCA converts to THC, producing the same effects as regular cannabis.
Is THCA flower legal?
Federally in the USA, THCA flower is classified as hemp under the 2018 Farm Bill because its pre-conversion THC content is under 0.3%. It ships nationally from licensed retailers. However, some states have introduced or passed laws restricting THCA flower — always check your local regulations.
Does THCA flower get you high?
Yes. Smoking, vaping, or cooking THCA flower converts THCA to THC, producing the same psychoactive effects as regular cannabis. The potency matches the THCA percentage on the label.
What’s the difference between THCA and THC?
THCA is the raw, acidic form of THC found in unheated cannabis. It is not psychoactive on its own. Heat (combustion, vaporization, or decarboxylation) causes decarboxylation — removing a carboxyl group — and converts THCA into psychoactive THC.
References
- Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCA) — Wikipedia
- What Is THCA? — Healthline
- 2018 Farm Bill — Wikipedia
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