What is THCa hemp flower? “THCa hemp flower” is the name for cannabis buds with delta-9 THC levels that do not exceed 0.3% by dry weight, but which have high levels of THCa.

What is THCa? “THCa” is the abbreviation for “tetrahydrocannabinolic acid”, a cannabinoid produced in abundance by the cannabis plant. THCa does not produce intoxication; however, under certain conditions, including heat, exposure to light, and time, it can convert to delta-9 THC, which does have an intoxicating effect. The conversion from THCa to delta-9 THC is known as “decarboxylation” and occurs when THCa flower is smoked or vaped.

Will smoking or vaping THCa hemp flower make users feel “high”? Although everyone is different, it is possible that a user will feel intoxicated or “high” after smoking THCa hemp flower. We recommend informing your customers of the possibility of feeling “high” or intoxicated when using this product. We also recommend that you not sell THCa hemp flower to minors.

Will using THCa hemp flower cause users to fail a drug test? Yes. THCa hemp flower contains cannabinoids, including THC, which may cause a user to fail a drug test. Therefore, individuals should not use THCa hemp flower if they are subject to drug testing.

Is THCa hemp flower lawful under federal law? Yes. Under federal law, harvested THCa hemp flower is lawful. This is because the federal 2018 Farm Bill distinguishes between lawful harvested hemp and unlawful marijuana based on the levels of delta-9 THC, not THCa.1 Harvested cannabis, including its flowers and buds, with no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC by dry weight is lawful hemp, regardless of the amount of THCa or any other cannabinoid, such as CBD, that it contains. Additionally, the federal Controlled Substances Act, which regulates drugs, removes hemp from the definition of marijuana. In other words, hemp is not an illegal controlled substance under federal law.2

What does the DEA say about THCa hemp flower? THCa hemp flower meets the DEA’s definition of lawful hemp. According to the DEA, “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.”3