Can you get high just from eating raw Cannabis?

No. The raw Cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive by itself. It needs to be decarboxylated, meaning it normally has to be heated to convert the THCA into the psychoactive Delta 9 THC. Simply eating raw cannabis will not produce a high effect.

Does vaporizing cannabis convert THCA to THC, too?

Yes. Vaporization, like smoking, exposes cannabis to high temperatures that result in the rapid decarboxylation of THCA into Delta 9 THC. This process makes the cannabis psychoactive when consumed via vaporization.

The legal status of THCA is somewhat grey. Although in most countries or jurisdictions, it has not been explicitly listed or scheduled as a controlled substance, the proximity to THC basically links it to the same treatment under the law. It's best to check local regulations for specific legal status.

What are the advantages that one gets from consuming THCA over THC?

Some studies have reported that THCA may have therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits, without the psychoactive effects of THC. However, considerably more research is needed to identify potential applications and confirm these potential advantages of THCA.

Can one decarboxylate cannabis without smoking?

Yes. Other methods include decarboxylating by baking or heating in oil, often done in the making of edibles or other products. These methods allow for the conversion of THCA to THC without the need for smoking or vaporization.

THCA to Delta 9 THC: The Decarboxylation Process Explained

If you know a thing or two about cannabis, then most likely, you know THCA quite well—the major psychoactive cannabinoid that causes the “high” one gets when consuming marijuana. But what about THCA? This lesser-known cannabinoid has recently caught the attention of many, especially those seeking science—you know, actual science—on cannabis. One of the commonly asked questions by these people is if THCA truly converts into Delta 9 THC upon smoking. Let’s get to the bottom of it.

Chris Dorcey

Inheal Editor

Post date

July 15, 2024

Time to read

3 mins 36 secs

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

THCA is the non-psychoactive precursor of Delta 9 THC in raw cannabis
The chemical process entailed in the conversion of THCA to THC is called decarboxylation
High temperatures during smoking or vaporization quickly decarboxylate THCA into psychoactive Delta 9 THC
The conversion rate is generally quite high at common smoking temperatures, though it can vary

How THCA Differs from Delta 9 THC

Before delving into the details of how to convert THCA into Delta 9 THC, you need to understand the key differences between these two vital cannabinoids.

THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)

THCA is described as being the non-psychoactive precursor to THC. It is found in uncured raw cannabis plants and, combined, it’s overwhelmingly the most abundant cannabinoid in raw cannabis.

Here are a few critical facts about THCA:

This acid does not get you high when ingested.
This phytocannabinoid has a number of potential therapeutic advantages, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties.
It can be ingested raw in cannabis juice or extracted as material for tinctures and other uses.

Delta 9 THC (Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Delta 9 THC is simply referred to as THC and is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. It is responsible for inducing euphoric, intoxicating feelings when consuming marijuana.

Key things to know about Delta 9 THC:

It binds with cannabinoid receptors in the brain and body, hence the effects on desired signs and symptoms. Changes in mood, perception, appetite, and cognition are possible. It is the primary target of drug tests screening for cannabis use.

The Decarboxylation Process

So, how does THCA become Delta 9 THC? Through a process called decarboxylation. In brief, it’s a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group from a molecule, releasing carbon dioxide gas. When applied to cannabis itself, it turns THCA into THC.

That being said, there are ways in which people decarboxylate cannabis:

Temperature: Generally speaking, elevated temperatures introduce a speedy decarboxylation compared to the norm. This can be done through smoking cannabis, vaporizing it, or even baking it in an oven.
Age: With age, cannabis alone will get decarboxylated. However, this is only at a very slow rate when compared to decarboxylation by heating.
UV light: Ultraviolet light, if exposed for a long period, does the same thing.

This is why, when cannabis is smoked or vaporized, the high temperatures quickly convert THCA into Delta 9 THC. That is why raw cannabis doesn’t get one high, yet smoking/vaporizing does.

Temperature and Time of Decarboxylation

Temperature and time are important factors in the decarboxylation process. The general guidelines are as follows:

At room temperature, this happens very slowly; it may take months or even years at 68°F/20°C.
At 212°F/100°C, the boiling point for water—overall decarboxylation runs fast enough to turn UDCA mostly into THC in 30-45 minutes.
Above the temperatures reached when smoking a bowl (~Higher than 300°F/149°C), decarboxylation occurs almost instantly.

Worth noting is that while higher temperatures increase the rate of decarboxylation, they can degrade other helpful compounds found in cannabis, like terpenes. That helps explain why most consumers of Cannabis like the lower-temperature methods like vaporizing, which may save a significant amount of the plants’ natural compounds.

THCA to THC Conversion Rates

That exact percentage of THCA that converts to Delta 9 THC when smoking may differ with cannabis strains, temperature, and duration of heating—all the way to being individual with respect to metabolisms. However, some general estimates say that:

Higher than 392°F/200°C, it may go as high as 95% THCA being converted into THC.
At lower temperatures, like 320°F/160°C, it could be as low as about 70%.

These figures indicate the efficacy of decarboxylation at high temperatures involved in smoking.

Conclusion

This is the easiest conversion in the whole world of cannabis: THCA becomes Delta 9 THC. Via this chemical reaction, which is decarboxylation, the non-psychoactive THCA of raw cannabis becomes one of the many well-known psychoactive compounds: THC.

In the case of smoking or vaporizing cannabis, this conversion occurs nearly instantaneously, since extremely high temperatures are involved. It is this fast decarboxylation that is responsible for the effects of THC felt by a user when they smoke cannabis.

Understanding the science behind the process will help people in their cannabis use and methods of consumption. Provided that you use it for recreational purposes or research into the potential therapeutic uses of cannabinoids, knowing THCA decarboxylation and Delta 9 THC can help a great deal.

Keep in mind the legally accepted status of cannabis and its compounds as responsible information in your locality. The more we know about the chemistry behind cannabis, the farther we get to a period when this fascinating plant is studied, understood, and made safe in its use yet helpful for everybody.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get high just from eating raw Cannabis?
No. The raw Cannabis contains THCA, which is not psychoactive by itself. It needs to be decarboxylated, meaning it normally has to be heated to convert the THCA into the psychoactive Delta 9 THC. Simply eating raw cannabis will not produce a high effect.
Does vaporizing cannabis convert THCA to THC, too?
Yes. Vaporization, like smoking, exposes cannabis to high temperatures that result in the rapid decarboxylation of THCA into Delta 9 THC. This process makes the cannabis psychoactive when consumed via vaporization.
Is THCA legal?
The legal status of THCA is somewhat grey. Although in most countries or jurisdictions, it has not been explicitly listed or scheduled as a controlled substance, the proximity to THC basically links it to the same treatment under the law. It's best to check local regulations for specific legal status.
What are the advantages that one gets from consuming THCA over THC?
Some studies have reported that THCA may have therapeutic effects, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits, without the psychoactive effects of THC. However, considerably more research is needed to identify potential applications and confirm these potential advantages of THCA.
Can one decarboxylate cannabis without smoking?
Yes. Other methods include decarboxylating by baking or heating in oil, often done in the making of edibles or other products. These methods allow for the conversion of THCA to THC without the need for smoking or vaporization.

Disclaimer

The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. FDA has not evaluated statements contained within the blog. Information on this website or in any materials or communications from Inheal is for educational/informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions, correct dosage or for guidance about a specific medical condition.

by Chris Dorcey

A connoisseur of cannabis creativity and true contemplation with more than 20 years of experience, Chris extracts deep thoughts from getting lightly baked and shares his wandering mind. He blends cuisine and cannabis culture into nutritious, delicious recipes and insights for other hemp lovers.