IN THE SPOTLIGHT

by KRYSTINA SKIBO

The cannabis plant is home to hundreds of phytocannabinoids( natural cannabinoids) that can offer a variety of beneficial effects to those who consume it in different ways.

There are at least 120 that have been identified to date, according to the Alcohol & Drug Foundation. The most well-known are delta−9−tetrahydrocannabinol( THC) and cannabidiol( CBD), while other common types include cannabigerol( CBG), cannabinol( CBN), cannabichromene( CBC) and tetrahydrocannabivarin( THCV).

Another lesser-known cannabinoid is making its way around the industry as of late: tetrahydrocannabinolic acid( THCA).

This non-psychoactive cannabinoid is the precursor to Delta−9 THC and naturally occurs in raw cannabis and hemp. On its own, THCA doesn’ t produce a high, according to an article by HashDash, but when heated( through smoking, vaping or cooking), it undergoes decarboxylation, converting into Delta−9 THC.

So, what exactly does THCA do and why are brands using this cannabinoid in their products? We spoke with several industry experts to break down everything you need to know.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THCA AND THC?

As the HashDash article explains, THCA can be converted into Delta−9 THC when heated. Kelsy Raap, director of education and outreach at Upstate Elevator, breaks down the science for us.

“ THCA is THC in its‘ acidic form,’” she explains.“ It’ s the most prevalent cannabinoid in cannabis, with CBDA the most prevalent in hemp, and the percent of THCA is what companies use to calculate the potency of a cannabis strain. There is very little THC in a living cannabis plant, so laboratories use a calculation that accounts for the conversion of THCA to THC.”

THCA converts to THC between 220−245 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Raap. Within this range, the higher temperatures( 230−245 degrees) will result in a faster conversion. However, the chemical reactions taking place can go too far, at which point the THC can begin a secondary conversion, turning into CBN.

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