THCA Flower vs Dispensary Weed: How Do They Compare?

You’ve seen a lot of types of online weed appear only for some of them to disappear just as quickly. Does anyone buy delta 8 flower anymore, for instance?

Some forms of cannabis you can buy on the internet are thriving like never before, though. CBD flower is still huge, as an example, and THCA flower has now taken the online world by storm.

We all know that CBD flower isn’t the same thing as “real weed:” It doesn’t get you high. Is THCA flower the genuine article, though? Will it get you intoxicated to the desired extent? Discover the answers to these questions and more over the course of this comprehensive guide.

What is THCA flower?

THCA flower is Cannabis sativa flower that is high in THCA but low in THC. Both from a regulatory and a chemical perspective, THCA and THC are not the same thing, with THCA being the acidic form that THC takes on in cannabis flower before it goes through the process of transformation called “decarboxylation.”

So long as it contains less than 0.3% THC, THCA flower is considered just as much “hemp” as CBD flower or even a hemp T-shirt. It doesn’t matter that the THCA in the flower will most likely be converted to THC when used — all that matters is the THCA concentration in the cannabis flower prior to decarboxylation.

In contrast to dispensary weed, which is only sold in certain states and often at an absurd premium, THCA flower is sold online and for reasonable prices. There’s no need to stand in line or go through any other arduous and unnecessary steps. Simply buy THCA flower online just like you’d purchase any other item.

What is “dispensary weed?”

The term “dispensary weed” almost always refers to THC-rich cannabis flower, also known as “marijuana” under federal law. Since the THCA loophole didn’t exist at the time, certain states started the “medical marijuana” trend by making THC legal within their borders toward the end of the 1990s, eventually sparking a movement that has since engulfed the nation.

There are still a few holdout states, but for the most part, THC-rich cannabis is now in some way legal in most parts of the nation. When we say “in some way legal,” however, we’re contrasting the overall confusion and difficulty of buying THC flower (in any state) with the clarity and ease of buying THCA flower (in every state).

Is THCA flower the same thing as dispensary weed?

For most intents and purposes, THCA flower is the same thing as dispensary weed, but it’s usually better. While dispensary weed is of dubious quality and comes with very limited information, THCA flower is often artisan-crafted and equipped with robust product details.

You can look up the lab reports for THCA flower products you buy online, something you can’t do with dispensary weed. Plus, when you go to a dispensary, there are only a few different products to choose from. There are literally hundreds of competing THCA flower brands online, making it possible to fine-tune your selections to fit your exact needs.

How are THCA and THC different?

So, why can THCA flower be sold online but THC flower can’t? That’s because THCA and THC are separate compounds. THCA is what’s called a “carboxylic acid” because it has a carboxyl group attached to its tail. When exposed to heat, UV light, or a variety of other influences, THCA sheds its carboxyl tail and becomes THC, transforming into a highly intoxicating natural chemical.

Even though THCA flower transforms into THC quite easily, THCA is not the same thing as THC. Prior to conversion, THCA is perfectly non-intoxicating, frustrating efforts to have it banned as a mind-altering drug. From the perspective of federal law, it doesn’t matter that THCA becomes THC. What matters is that THCA products contain less than 0.3% THC when sold. So long as they do, they’re hemp no matter how much THCA they may contain.

Benefits of THCA flower vs. dispensary weed

Why might you choose THCA flower over the type of weed you can buy at a dispensary? We can think of quite a few good reasons:

Buy online

You can buy THCA weed online. Even in states where you can order THC products online for delivery, the process is often quite awkward, and you only have the choice of same-day delivery for a considerable fee. THCA flower is available online the same way as any other product — you buy it (often with free shipping at a certain dollar amount), and it arrives at your door a few days later.

No ID

You don’t need an ID to buy THCA flower online. Most sites ask that their customers be over 21, but there’s no nanny state watching over your shoulder, making sure you flash your ID for the cameras.

No lines

Buying THCA flower online involves exactly zero hours, minutes, or seconds of standing in lines. There’s no limit to the number of people who can make Secret Nature orders at once.

No drives

Unless you have to drive to the library or an internet cafe to get online, you won’t leave the comfort of your home or smartphone to buy THCA flower. In states where weed delivery is illegal, you have to get in the car every time you want to pick up some new dank.

Better product selection

It’s no exaggeration to say there are approximately 10-100 times the number of THCA products online versus the number of THC weed products you can find at even the biggest dispensaries in the nation. If you’re serious about choosing the perfect weed, going online is the only option.

Better product information

It’s very difficult to learn anything important about weed you’re considering buying at a dispensary. With THCA weed online, however, there’s a wealth of information at your fingertips whether you want to read customer reviews or check lab reports.

Same or better effects

THCA turns into THC when you use it the usual way. So, it will have the same general effects as dispensary weed, but it might even be better if you find a good supplier and a strain you like.

Same or better quality

By going online, you can often secure better quality no matter what you’re shopping for. The same goes for THCA flower, which is usually higher-quality than the THC dispensary equivalent.

The bottom line: THCA flower is dispensary weed you can buy online

Just like black-market dealers have mostly died out, the days of having to go to a dispensary to get high are now over. You can now buy genuine weed online — the same kind of weed you can buy at the dispensary, but often better. Bask in the glory days of the online weed renaissance by buying some THCA flower today.

THCA flower vs. THC flower FAQ

Brush up on additional THCA vs. THC facts below:

Will THCA flower get me high?

Yes, THCA flower will get you high if you vape or smoke it. THCA converts into THC when heated.

Is THCA flower as strong as regular weed?

Yes, THCA flower is as strong as regular weed because THCA converts into THC when heated. In some cases, THCA flower may even be stronger than THC weed.