The Unique Appeal of Exotic THCa Flower

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, or THCa, is a prominent cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. It's a chemical precursor to the more well-known THC, which just means that THCa turns into THC when exposed to time and heat. 

THCa flower is cannabis that has been specifically bred to have high levels of THCa and extremely low levels of THC, typically less than the federal limit of 0.3%. 

Many growers have bred high-THCa versions of the most popular cannabis strains. As THCa gets more popular, more and more cannabis breeders are developing exotic high-THCa cultivars to cater specifically to this market, too. 

Exotic THCa flower generally refers to any THCa flower with hard-to-find characteristics. Whether it features a unique terpene profile, sought-after genetics, or an especially mouthwatering taste, you won’t want to miss out on any exotic THCa flower you encounter. 

Yes, THCa flower is federally legal and remains legal in most states. 

We have the 2018 Farm Bill to thank for THCa flower. The Bill federally legalized hemp products and defined hemp as containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Since high-THCa cultivars are bred to have high levels of THCa and near-nonexistent levels of THC, THCa flower is considered a hemp product and is therefore legal on the national level. 

Some places have begun to pass legislation explicitly banning THCa flower, so check your local laws before ordering from your favorite online dispensary. However, exotic THCa flower is generally legal in most places in the United States.

The question you’ve all been waiting for: yes, if you heat THCa flower, it is psychoactive, so it can get you stoned. 
In most cases, you must heat THCa flower to consume it, whether loading it into a vaporizer or smoking it in a preroll. Other forms of THCa that need to be heated up, like cartridges, vapes, and extracts, will also produce psychoactive effects. 

Studies show that THCa converts into THC near-instantaneously at around 390° Fahrenheit. Most people vape cannabis flower at temperatures between about 320° and 395°F or higher; if you’re vaping exotic THCa flower, you’ll want to heat your vaporizer to the higher end of that range. Dabs and concentrate vapes heat your THCa wax to at least 400°F, and butane lighters to spark a THCa joint or bowl get up to almost 1000°F. Both of those methods are more than hot enough to activate your THCa and get you stoned. 

However, other ways to consume THCa that don’t require heat, like THCa tinctures, won’t produce psychoactive effects. While that might disappoint some people, THCa has many potential health and wellness benefits, too. Products like THCa tinctures can be a great way to take advantage of the benefits offered by THCa without the intoxication of THC. 

There are some truly stellar THCa cultivars on the market today. Cannabis connoisseurs are always looking for exciting, exotic new strains to try, and opening your search to include THCa flower is one of the best ways to find rare cultivars that nobody else in your smoke circle will have. 

At NOVA Hemp, we’re loving Gary Payton right now. It’s a super well-balanced strain that makes us feel euphoric, giggly and uplifted. With a slightly spicy, herbal, and fruity flavor profile, it’s super fun. 

We carry several other exotic THCa strains, too—and they’re excellent! Strawberry Guava THCa flower is another one of our favorites. Its tropical fruit flavors and balanced effects make it a real crowd-pleaser. You can also check out our Swedish Phish THCa flower for something more relaxing. This chilled-out strain offers powerful relief from stress and tension. 

If you haven’t tried a new strain before, pick up a preroll — it’s a great way to check out a new cultivar to see if you’ll like it. When you’re ready to stock up, we carry exotic THCa flower on NOVA Hemp’s store shelves and online, too. 

NOVA Hemp is your leading source of high-quality exotic THCa flower in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. We carry Gary Payton, a large variety of other THCa strains, and just about any other hemp or cannabis product you could want. If you're in the area, stop by one of NOVA Hemp’s locations or shop nationwide on our website.