Are you looking for something to take your hemp experience up a notch? Maybe you’re looking for a potent recreational high or something that packs an extra medicinal punch? If so, THCa flower may be exactly what you’re looking for.

Sales of THCa flower have been rapidly (albeit stealthily) gaining momentum over the last year or two as more people are learning that, through yet another legal loophole, you can now buy cannabis legally online.

Stick with us as we reveal the best high THCa flower strains that offer maximum potency, flavor, and benefits, introduce you to the best THCa flower vendors out there, and tell you everything you need to know about THCa flower.

THCa flower – The next big thing 

THCa flower is quickly becoming a favorite among hemp and cannabis users that don’t have legal access to cannabis in their state. It’s wildly popular with people that have previously bought cannabis illegally, as well as people who have been smoking or vaping Delta 8 THC or HHC to enjoy a similar, but legal, alternative.

What is THCa Flower?

High-THCa flower is a type of hemp flower that has been specifically bred and cultivated to contain high concentrations of THCa but low levels of delta 9 THC. As long as the flower contains 0.3% or less of Delta-9 THC then it is, for all intents and purposes, classified as hemp flower and can be legally sold as such.

Does THCa flower get you high?

Yes, smoking and vaping high-THCa hemp flower offers the same effects and benefits as the cannabis you’d buy in a dispensary, including an out-of-this-world euphoria, all over body buzz, and general feeling of intoxication.

Why? Because when THCa is heated, it transforms into Delta 9 THC through a process called decarboxylation. Current estimations estimate that 87.7% of THCa is converted into Delta 9 THC when heated, so smoking or vaping high THCa flower can get you very high indeed!

You can learn more about THCa flower below, including a deeper look at the differences between THCa and THC, the legal status of THCa flower, and some of the benefits it may offer. But first, let’s take a look at where you should be buying your THCa hemp flower from and a list of the best strains that are available right now. We’ve also covered more of the best legal highs available nationwide in a separate article.

Who has the best THCa flower for sale?

Only a handful of hemp flower vendors actually have high THCa hemp flower for sale, but I’m lucky enough to tried most of them now. Here are my top three favorite vendors who are selling the best THCa flower online right now:

#1 – Arete Hemp

Arete Hemp was one of the first brands to send me some THCa flower to try and they’re still one of my favorites to this day. They always have a great selection of new THCa flower strains to choose from, but the superior quality shines through when it comes to potency, aroma, flavor, and effects.

You just have to look at the lab reports to see this for yourself. For example, if you compare Arete Hemp’s harvest of Miracle Alien Cookies to other vendors (this strain is also called Miracle Cookies in some places), you can see that Arete Hemp’s version contains higher amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes, which equates to a much more enjoyable and potent experience.

Arete Hemp is also stocking some of the strongest THCa concentrates on the market right now (seriously, this is some next level sh*t). You can buy 99.9% THCa diamonds, as well as live resin, full melt hash, and hash/resin blends.  

High THCa strains available include: Northern Lights #5, California Dream, 9 pound hammer, Trinity OG, Platinum Pancakes, Jet Fuel Pie, Sour Banana Sherbert, Grandaddy Purple, Death Star, Moon Berry, Blueberry, Gorilla Glue #4, Green Crack, Hippie Crippler, Miracle Alien Cookies. Laughing Buddha, and Lemon Skunk.

#2 – Secret Nature CBD

Secret Nature CBD has always impressed me with their flower quality, so I was very excited to see that they had high THCa flower for sale too. As expected, their THCa flower is as good as their CBD flower, maybe even better, with beautifully formed buds and mind-blowing effects.

Secret Nature’s High THCa hemp strains currently include: Mocha and Nightfire. They also had Blood Diamond, Orange Royale, Bourbon Sugar, and Bellini, but they’ve sold out already 🤯 so get them while you can.

Check out my full Secret Nature review here or read more about some of their best strains below.

#3 – Bloomz (by Binoid)

Bloomz is a fairly new THCa enterprise brought to us by Binoid CBD, one of the first hemp companies to really throw themselves into the world of legal highs, selling a massive variety of minor and rare cannabinoids in the form of carts, gummies, and tinctures.

Their flower is beautiful, with decent sized nugs and pungent aromas and, with THCa levels of 19-25%, it’s powerful stuff.  They also have a number of unique strains on their menu that I’ve not seen anywhere else.

Bloomz is currently selling six high THCa strains, including Grape Frosty, Guava Cookies, Han Solo, Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC), Platinum OG, and Sprite, with more being added soon.

Buy THCa carts for vaping

Most people I know, including myself, smoke and vape. I love the ritual of rolling a joint or packing a pipe or bong, but there are times I prefer to vape for the discretion and convenience it offers.

If you’re looking to buy a THCa cart, then you’re in luck as Binoid (the sister brand of Bloomz, above) has just released two THCa carts, one indica (Exotic Kush) and one sativa (Cranberry Haze). Both are prepared with live rosin cannabis terpenes to offer a superior experience over other carts on the market.

They also sell disposable vapes in a variety of THCa strains and a concentrate in the form of THCa diamond wax dabs. 

The best THCA flower strains of 2023

THCa flower is strain-specific, just like CBD and cannabis flower. Popular strains such as Gorilla Glue, Durban Poison, Grandaddy Purp, and Green Crack can all be found in THCa form, as well as less well-known strains such as Death Star and Hippie Crippler.

This list showcases the best THCa flower you can find on the market right now. We strongly believe that in-house product testing is the best way to assess a product’s quality, so we sampled a large number of different THCa flower strains from a variety of vendors, before narrowing them down to our favorites.

And, yes, this job is amazing.

#1. Death Star (indica-leaning hybrid)

Death Star is an indica dominant hybrid strain with 23% THCa (over 20% THC after decarb) and continues to be my overall favorite THCa flower today, since I first tried it a number of months ago.

Despite the fact that this strain is indica dominant, it provides me with an incredibly energizing high that makes me feel motivated, creative, and positive.

It’s a joy to the senses, in both smell and taste but the nugs are quite dense, so a 3.5 gram baggy feels a little smaller than some of the other lighter, puffier strains.

Buy your Death Star from Arete Hemp to ensure you get the heaviest-hitting cannabinoid and terpene profile. Click here to buy it!

#2. Northern Lights #5 (indica)

This multi-award-winning Northern Lights strain always reminds me of Amsterdam, which is where I was the first time I had the pleasure of experiencing this cannabis strain.

Northern Lights is another potent indica strain, but this one had me on my ass as I found it to be incredibly relaxing and sedating (total couch-lock). Expect super gassy smells jumping out of the bag to greet your nose and the taste is very similar with undertones.

Connoisseurs will love it. People who love to get high will love it. Medicinal users will love it. What more can I say? Northern Lights #5 is a bona fide crowd-pleaser in every sense of the word.

For the best Northern Lights #5 on the market, head on over to Arete Hemp as theirs is a small-batch, hydroponically-grown craft strain which is out of this world. Click here to buy it!

#3. Han Solo (hybrid)

New in at number three we have another strain named courtesy of Star Wars, Han Solo, which is a nicely balanced hybrid strain.

One or two puffs in the daytime offers an enjoyable pick-me-up, but the cerebral high comes on pretty strong and its potency means that if I want to smoke any more than a couple of puffs then I’d rather wait until the evening as it’s super relaxing and sedating when taken in larger quantities.

The flower itself has dense lime and purple nugs that seem to be covered with a golden-yellow, sticky frosting. It smells sweet, spicy, and earthy to the nose and when you inhale, you can also detect a slight floral sweetness. Very delicious and uplifting.

For the best Han Solo THCa flower, head over to Bloomz to sample their particularly tasty batch. Click here to buy it!

#4. Bourbon Sugar (indica)

Bourbon Sugar THCa flower has light green buds with almost a lavender hue. There’s something about this strain that piques curiosity and interest as soon as you see and smell it.

However, it’s the flavor and effects that really make this strain stand out from the crowd. I think it’s likely to attract a lot of attention from hemp (and cannabis) connoisseurs that are looking for something a little different and special.

Depending on where you buy it from, this strain can contain up to around 21.5% THCa and its deliciously unique terpene profile gives rise to potent flavors of bourbon and sweet cherry. The effects are also somewhat reminiscent of what you’d expect from drinking bourbon, as its indica-leaning terpenes will help still your mind and relax your body.

The best Bourbon Sugar THCa flower is available to buy online from Secret Nature CBD. Click here to buy it!

#5. Jet Fuel Pie (hybrid)

If you like exotic strains that reek of gas, then this strain may quickly become one of your firm favorites, with its sweet gas and earthy pine scent and pure sweet gassy taste.

With a total of 21.6% THCa, Jet Fuel Pie offers a potent high that will leave you with a soothed body and uplifted mind.

Offering a great balance between mind and body, it would be great for relieving anxiety and brightening your mood, as well as releasing the day’s tensions, but not completely locking you to the couch.

The most pungent and potent Jet Fuel Pie can currently be found online with Arete Hemp. Click here to buy it!

#6. Miracle Alien Cookies or MAC (indica-leaning hybrid)

Miracle Alien Cookies is another super gassy strain that has notes of sour citrus that tickle the back of your nose. Its sweet and spicy dank flavors will have you coming back for more every time, but be warned as this strain is definitely as potent as it smells and tastes.

With over 20% THCa, this strain will quickly and easily put most beginners on their butt. It offers a fantastic mood-boosting cerebral high, followed by intense all-over-body relaxation.

You can get access to superb batches of Miracle Alien Cookies (MAC) at both Arete Hemp and Bloomz. Click here to buy it!

#7. Gorilla Glue #4 (indica-leaning hybrid)

Gorilla Glue #4, or GG4 as it’s otherwise known, is one of the highest THCa hemp flower strains I’ve ever tried, weighing in at a whopping 23.5% THCa.

Its highly pungent aroma is sweet and earthy and the chunky buds are dense, springy to the touch, and covered in sticky, resinous trichomes.

The strong gassy flavor has notes of chocolate and coffee and the effects are equally delicious. GG4 has instantly noticeable euphoric vibes lifting you up mentally, but something else is also at work, pushing my body down and leaving me glued to the couch. Indica-leaning is an understatement.

Get your couch-lock on with Gorilla Glue #4 from Arete Hemp. Click here to buy it!

#8. Green Crack (sativa)

Green Crack is a balanced sativa strain with 21% THCa (18% THC after decarb). It’s not as potent as some others on paper and the buds are on the small side, but it tastes amazing and elicits an incredible high.

It has a strong and unique terpene profile that gives it a super pungent and gassy nose, which tastes just as good but with a hint of bubblegum. Green Crack is a smooth smoke but a heavy hitter.

Buy your Green Crack from Arete Hemp. Click here to buy it!

#9. Mocha (hybrid)

As I attempt to put my experience of Mocha into words, I actually want to move it further up the list, but I’ll stay true to my original scores and place this one at number nine.

Mocha is a strain with around 20% THCa and a tropical, chocolate, nutty terpene profile. It’s so tasty that you won’t ever want to pass that joint round.

The effects of Mocha can depend on how much you smoke or what kind of mood you were in previously. I’ve definitely felt uplifted, energetic, and creative on this strain, but the last time I smoked it I felt very lazy and distracted (perhaps I should have passed that joint sooner?).

You can try Mocha for yourself by shopping with Arete Hemp or Secret Nature CBD. Click here to buy it!

#10. Sour Banana Sherbet (hybrid)

With over 22% THCa, there is literally nothing subtle about this Sour Banana Sherbet strain, so expect to feel the effects of this strain throughout your entire body.

It’s not overly sedating and brings on a really positive mindset that’s sure to put a spring in your step. Even the most mundane activities seem to be more enjoyable and hikes and nature trails become even more spectacular.

This all contributes to it being a popular daytime choice for many people, although heavier doses will make your body feel more heavy and slow.

In the terpenes department, Sour Banana Sherbet elicits a pungent sweet banana and diesel aroma that tastes the same, if not slightly more complex and sour when smoked. Yummy.

Head over to Arete Hemp to sample their delicious, hydroponically-grown harvest of Sour Banana Sherbet. Click here to buy it!

What is THCA vs THC?

THCa, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is actually the acidic precursor to THC which means that THC simply cannot exist (in nature, at least) without THCa. Other cannabinoids, like CBD and CBG, also have acidic precursors (CBDa and CBGa, respectively), all of which are produced in the resinous glands of hemp and cannabis flowers.

The molecular structures of THCa and THC are identical except for the fact that THCa has an extra carboxyl group. This seemingly small structural difference means that they interact with our body’s endocannabinoid system in very different ways, giving rise to a broad contrast of effects.

One of the most obvious of which is the fact that THCa doesn’t get you high and THC does. That’s why ingesting THCa flower in its raw form won’t get you high, but smoking or vaping it will.

The reason for this is that THC is known to be a full agonist at cannabinoid (type I) receptors in our brains, meaning it binds to and activates them. These receptors mediate the levels and activity of most other neurosmitters, meaning they play a pivotal role in a wide variety of essential functions in our bodies, including cognitive function, motor control, pain, and sleep (among many others).

THCa is unable to bind to our cannabinoid receptors in the same way as THC because it just doesn’t fit. It’s like having an extra ridge on your key, which won’t open the lock until you shave the extra ridge off.

It’s only when this acidic THCa compound is decarboxylated, thereby losing its acidic or carboxyl group, that it becomes THC. As mentioned previously, decarboxylation occurs when THCa is exposed to heat, but sunlight and age can also trigger the transformation.

But that’s not to say that THCa doesn’t have any benefits although, until fairly recently, it was thought that these acidic compounds were inactive, largely due to their inactivity at CB1 receptors.

Research is starting to unlock some of the true potential of these cannabinoids, recently revealing that CBDa and CBGa may help prevent the Covid-19 infection from infecting human cells (read more about cannabis and Covid here). And that THCa possesses significant antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

THCa vs THC flower: Is there a difference?

The only difference between THCa and THC flower is that THCa flower, in order to be classified as hemp, must contain 0,3% Delta 9 THC or less. It can, and sometimes does, contain just as much THCa as many cannabis strains you’ll find in a cannabis dispensary and it will get you equally as high. It’s all about how much THCa had already converted by the time the testing took place.

Take a look at these cannabis labels

The first one is from a high THC cannabis strain from a dispensary in Washington state and shows a THC percentage of 0.8, which classifies it as cannabis instead of hemp. The THCa percentage, however, is 25.91% which, transforming to THC at (approximately 87.7%), means you’ll end up with 23.52% total THC (22.72 + 0.8).

The lab reports below show the cannabinoid profile of a high THCA hemp strain. You can see that the Delta 9 THC measures below the legal threshold of 0.3% (for it to be considered hemp), but it still contains a massive 21.657% THCa. This equates to a total THC amount of 19.26% (18.99 + 0.267) so, despite this being hemp flower, it will still get you high af.

Is THCa flower legal?

Yes, THCa flower is legal across most of the USA as long as it contains 0.3% or less Delta 9 THC. As long as the flower you buy is compliant with this trace amount of THC, regardless of how much THCa it contains, it’s classified as hemp flower which is federally legal thanks to the Hemp Farming Act of 2018.

In a letter sent by Terrence L Boos from the DEA this time last year (January 2022), he 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].”

However, we have since heard that the legal status of THCa is being re-examined by federal agencies as the hemp flower industry expands, with some states already putting restrictions on cultivation by calculating hemp’s dry weight total THC by adding the amount of D9 THC to 87.7% of the THCa.

However, as far as we know, no states have specifically banned THCa as of yet. Sooooo, get it while you can folks!

Benefits of THCA flower

For medicinal users

THCa has already demonstrated potent antiemetic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.

However, since much of the THCa is converted into THC when you smoke or vape THCa flower, what you’ll actually benefit from most is THC, rather than THCa.

The most well-studied benefits of THC include pain relief, improved sleep, reduced nausea and vomiting, improved appetite, and an overall improved quality of life. THCa flower is basically the legal equivalent to medical marijuana for those unable to access medicinal cannabis in their state.

But THCa flower is mostly bought for its intoxicating effects of THC…

For recreational users

For recreational users, the THCa flower provides an entirely new level of enjoyment for cannabis lovers who are looking for something beyond the semi-synthetic legal highs, such as Delta 8 and HHC.

The THCa flower featured on this list will get you just as high as regular cannabis that you’d buy from the dispensary and twice as high as any Delta 8 flower you may have been smoking.

So, if you wanna get high (so high), THCa flower benefits include euphoria, relaxation, and an overall feeling of contentment. You may feel more detached from the world, happy in your own thoughts and, at times, giggly. 

Other effects you may experience include a heightened sense of perception, distorted or altered perception of time, and an increased appetite (aka the munchies!).

Summary

When it comes down to it, the only difference between high THC cannabis flower and high THC hemp flower is that the THCa hemp flower has a legally compliant amount of THC in it (0.3% or less). However, the hemp flower could easily end up being more potent and intoxicating than a high THC cannabis strain, if the THCa levels are higher.

So, high THCa flower marketed as hemp is, essentially, a legal loophole for cannabis products to be sold openly and legally on the hemp market.

No-one knows how long this loophole is going to last, so seize the day and buy your high THCa flower online now before it gets banned!

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