By Luke Sumpter


THCA & THC: Questions & Answers

⚖️ Is THCA Legal?
As a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, THCA is not scheduled under the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances. However, legislation in some countries classes THCA as a prohibited analogue to THC.
🧬 Where Can I Find THCA?
THCA occurs in all cannabis strains that possess THC. Before being exposed to heat, all THC molecules exist as the cannabinoid acid THCA in raw cannabis flowers.
💎 What Are THCA Diamonds?
THCA diamonds are a highly concentrated extract of THCA, clocking in at an impressive purity of 99%. Technicians extract the cannabinoid acid using solvents and evaporators, without exposing it to too much heat.
💨 Can You Smoke THCA?
You can, but it will convert to THC during the process. To experience the non-psychoactive effects of THCA, you’ll need to consume it in the form of an oil or extract.

The cannabis plant produces a vast range of interesting phytochemicals. The small crystalline structures on the surface of buds, known as trichomes, work hard to synthesise over 100 cannabinoids and over 200 terpenes. While the latter are found all throughout nature, many cannabinoids are unique to Cannabis sativa.

Before being exposed to heat, cannabinoids such as THC exist as cannabinoid acids—precursors that occupy the raw flowers. Although not as well-known, cannabis scientists are currently studying these “underdogs” for their effects.

THCA, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, serves as the biosynthetic precursor to THC. All high-THC strains feature high concentrations of this molecule before undergoing decarboxylation (heating). Continue reading to find out everything you need to know about this molecule.

What Is THCA?

What’s your favourite strain? Maybe you adore the tantalising tastes of Sweet ZZ, or the sheer intensity of Green Gelato. Whatever your favourite high-THC strain is, they’re all loaded with THCA until the second you light them up.

Despite what popular culture and bombastic news stories state, eating a pile of raw cannabis simply won’t get you high. Cannabis only becomes psychoactive after being exposed to heat, light, or ageing. Before these factors take hold, all of that THC exists as THCA.

Like many other cannabinoids, THC starts off life as CBGA (cannabigerolic acid), otherwise known as the “mother” cannabinoid. Cannabis plants also produce a set of enzymes that convert this precursor into a variety of different cannabinoids.

When THCA synthase acts on CBGA, it converts the molecule into—you guessed it—THCA. Consuming raw cannabis supplies users with high levels of this cannabinoid acid. However, cooking and smoking cannabis catalyses a non-enzymatic reaction called decarboxylation.

This process ejects a carboxyl group from the molecule, forming THC. Although these cannabinoids are closely related, they produce profoundly different effects on the body and mind.

What Is THCA?

THCA vs THC

THCA and THC are similar in some ways, and dramatically different in others. Check out the lists below to find out where they are alike, and where they differ.

Properties of THCA:

  • Non-psychoactive
  • Naturally occurs in raw cannabis
  • Weak activator of CB1 and CB2 receptors
  • Represents up to 90% of the total THC content of cannabis plants
  • May provide soothing and neurological effects

Properties of THC:

  • Exerts psychoactive effects
  • Produced through decarboxylation
  • Stronger activator of the CB1 receptor
  • Synergises with numerous cannabis terpenes including pinene, limonene, caryophyllene, and linalool
  • Associated with several benefits including relaxation, sleep and appetite promotion, and euphoria

Related story

What is THC?

THCA: A Key Biomarker

THCA serves as an important biomarker when it comes to cannabis testing. Ambitious breeders looking to sell their flowers to dispensaries need to test their products beforehand. The more data, the better!

Testing for the level of THCA within a weed sample will give the breeder an accurate picture of how potent their flowers are. Research suggests a 70% conversion rate between THCA and THC during decarboxylation.

Lab technicians need to account for this ~30% loss during testing. HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography) measures the level of THCA in a precise manner, without decarboxylating any. To figure out the total levels of THC, they use the following equation:

THC total = (%THCA) x 0.877 + (%THC)

What Does the Research Say About THCA?

Research on THCA remains preliminary, with most studies being conducted on animals or cells. Until clinical trials emerge, we have to remain sceptical of THCA’s effects on humans. However, the research so far does serve as an indicator of what we can expect.

What Does the Research Say About THCA?

  • Weight Loss

Research conducted in mice suggests that THCA might help to shift a few pounds. A 2020 study[1] showed the cannabinoid to drive down fat mass in mice by interfacing with the PPARy receptor.

  • May Soothe Joints

THCA may help to soothe joints[2] and other parts of the body through its action on PPARy and the CB1 receptor of the endocannabinoid system.

  • Queasiness

Further early research suggests that THCA might help to ease a queasy stomach[3]. Although not yet fully substantiated, this finding could make THCA an important agent in the future of cannabis science.

  • Organ Health

Additional research explored the effects of THCA on liver health[4] in mice. The results showed promise, serving as the groundwork for much more future work in this area.

How to Consume THCA

THCA needs to be consumed in the absence of excess heat. Pure crystalline extracts are one of the best ways to take the cannabinoid. They can easily be added to cool foods and drinks, or mixed with oils and tinctures.

Cannabis users also juice raw cannabis flowers to obtain THCA. Cold-pressed juices work the best, exposing the plant material to less heat.

Where to Get THCA

The best source of THCA is your own cannabis flowers! These resinous buds are packed with the cannabinoid before you hit them in a joint or bong. Fire up your juicer instead to feel the effects of this molecule.

Those lucky enough to live somewhere with a legal recreational cannabis market will also be able to pick up THCA crystals from certain dispensaries.

External Resources:
  1. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA-A) reduces adiposity and prevents metabolic disease caused by diet-induced obesity - ScienceDirect https://www.sciencedirect.com
  2. Δ9‐Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid alleviates collagen‐induced arthritis: Role of PPARγ and CB1 receptors https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. Effect of combined doses of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid and cannabidiolic acid on acute nausea in male Sprague-Dawley rats | SpringerLink https://link.springer.com
  4. Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid markedly alleviates liver fibrosis and inflammation in murine models of chemically- and obesity-induced liver injury | bioRxiv https://www.biorxiv.org
Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only. The information provided is derived from research gathered from external sources.

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Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: