How is THCA Flower Made?

In recent years, THCA flower has surged in popularity, hailed as the “legal THC.” Thanks to the 2014 Farm Bill, THCA remains mostly legal across the United States. This cannabinoid transforms into THC—the compound famous for its psychoactive effects—when heated, offering a legal avenue to experience a similar high. It’s important to note that THCA and THC are not the same; while THCA is non-psychoactive and found in raw cannabis plants, it only becomes the psychoactive THC through a process called decarboxylation, which occurs when the substance is exposed to heat.

THCA is a natural, non-psychoactive compound found in raw cannabis plants. However, producing THCA flower often involves more intricate methods to maximize its content. There are two primary ways to create THCA flower: early harvesting and coating flower with THCA isolate. Let’s dive into these processes to understand how this unique product comes to life.

Growing THCA Flower

Let’s dive into the process of growing THCA flower, a method that’s all about maximizing this non-psychoactive cannabinoid right from the start. From selecting the perfect strain to creating ideal growing conditions, every step is crucial in ensuring the highest possible THCA content.

Finding Strains High in THCA

The first step in cultivating THCA flower is selecting cannabis strains known for their high THCA content. These strains are specially bred to produce significant levels of this cannabinoid even before any processing begins, making them ideal for THCA flower production. But what does “high in THCA” actually mean? It typically refers to strains that can produce 20% or more THCA content by dry weight.

Sour Diesel THCA Flower is a well-known sativa-dominant strain famous for its high THCA levels, often exceeding 20%. This strain is celebrated for its potent, energizing effects and distinctive diesel-like aroma.

Pineapple Express THCA Flower is another strain that is known for its high THCA content. Typically, Pineapple Express has THCA levels that can range from 18% to 28%. This sativa-dominant hybrid is a cross between Trainwreck and Hawaiian, and it is famous for its energetic and uplifting effects. The strain is particularly appreciated for its tropical flavors, with notable hints of pineapple, citrus, and pine​.

Creating the Perfect Growing Conditions

To maximize THCA levels, growers need to create optimal conditions that stimulate the plant’s natural cannabinoid production. This involves careful control of light, temperature, and other environmental factors.

UV-B Light

UV-B light is a specific spectrum of ultraviolet light with wavelengths between 280 and 315 nanometers. It mimics the natural sunlight that cannabis plants would be exposed to in their native environments. UV-B light is known to stress the plants slightly, which in turn can boost the production of cannabinoids and terpenes, including THCA. This type of light is often used in indoor growing setups where the grower can precisely control the light spectrum. UV-B light fixtures are available in various forms, including fluorescent and LED lights, which can be integrated into indoor grow rooms​.

Cooler Temperatures

Maintaining cooler temperatures can also help increase THCA levels. Cannabis plants generally thrive in temperatures between 68-77°F (20-25°C) during the day and slightly cooler temperatures at night. Lower temperatures can slow down the degradation of THCA to THC, helping to preserve the THCA content in the plants. Cooler conditions, especially during the flowering stage, can enhance the production of trichomes, the resin glands where cannabinoids are concentrated .

Growing THCA Flower Indoors vs. Outdoors

While these optimal conditions are more easily controlled in an indoor environment, outdoor cultivation is still viable for producing high-THCA cannabis. However, outdoor growers must be more vigilant about environmental factors. Outdoor plants can benefit from natural UV-B light from the sun, but growers might need to choose strains that are more resilient to temperature fluctuations and environmental stressors. Techniques such as selective shading and choosing the right planting season can help manage temperature and light exposure for outdoor grows .

Additional Factors

• Soil and Nutrients: Using high-quality soil rich in organic matter and providing balanced nutrients is essential. Nutrient solutions with higher levels of phosphorus and potassium during the flowering stage can support the production of THCA.
• Humidity Control: Keeping the humidity levels in check is crucial to prevent mold and mildew, which can damage the plants and reduce THCA levels. Ideal humidity levels are around 40-50% during the flowering stage.
• Airflow and Ventilation: Good airflow and ventilation are necessary to strengthen the plants and ensure that they get enough carbon dioxide, which is vital for photosynthesis and growth .

By carefully managing these factors, growers can create an environment that maximizes the production of THCA, resulting in potent and high-quality cannabis flower.

Timing the Harvest Just Right

THCA is plentiful in cannabis plants before decarboxylation turns it into THC. To keep those high THCA levels, growers need to harvest the plants at just the right moment—when the trichomes (the tiny resin glands on the flowers) are milky white. This means the plants are at their peak cannabinoid concentration, but haven’t started converting THCA to THC yet. It’s a bit like picking fruit at the perfect ripeness for the best flavor.

Post-Harvest TLC

After harvesting, the cannabis undergoes a careful drying and curing process to preserve its THCA content. This involves drying the buds at controlled temperatures and humidity levels to avoid triggering decarboxylation. Curing, or storing the dried cannabis in airtight containers, helps maintain the cannabinoids and terpenes, ensuring the flower remains potent and flavorful.

The Testing Loophole

Here’s where it gets interesting: the “testing loophole.” Under federal law, hemp is cannabis with less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight, determined by pre-harvest testing. However, THCA can convert to THC over time, even without heat. THCA can slowly decarboxylate to THC at room temperature, although the process is much slower compared to when heat is applied. This natural conversion can occur during the curing and storage phases of cannabis handling.

So, a flower that tests compliant right after harvest could exceed legal THC limits by the time it hits the shelves. Some savvy producers take advantage of this by testing their crop immediately post-harvest, when THCA is high and THC is low. Over time, natural decarboxylation increases the THC content, potentially making it technically illegal​.

Coating CBD flower with THCA isolate

THCA isolate is a highly refined cannabis extract with over 90% THCA content. This product is created through distillation processes that separate and purify cannabinoids. The key steps in the distillation process include:

• Winterization and Filtration: The cannabis extract undergoes a winterization process to remove fats, lipids, and waxes. This involves dissolving the extract in ethanol and freezing it, followed by filtration to remove unwanted components.
• Vacuum Distillation: To isolate THCA without converting it to THC, vacuum distillation is used. By applying a vacuum, the boiling points of the compounds are significantly lowered, allowing the THCA to be distilled at lower temperatures that do not cause decarboxylation.

This results in a clear, potent product that can be used to enhance the cannabinoid content of other cannabis products.

Application to Hemp Flower

THCA isolate applied to hemp flower through a cold-infusion process. The isolate is frozen, crushed, and then the hemp flower is evenly coated with THCA. This method increases the THCA content of the flower without significantly altering its appearance.

Advantages of Using THCA Isolate to Make THCA Flower

Utilizing THCA isolate in the production of THCA flower brings about notable benefits from offering more control and more.

Precise Control Over THCA Concentration: This method allows producers to enhance the THCA content of their flower precisely. By adjusting the amount of isolate applied, they can create products with specific cannabinoid profiles tailored to consumer preferences or medical needs. This technique also enables the creation of stronger THCA flowers if desired, offering higher potency options for those seeking more robust effects.

Enhance Lower-Grade Flowers: THCA isolate can be used to boost the cannabinoid content of lower-grade flowers, making them more desirable to consumers. This can improve the marketability and value of otherwise less potent cannabis products.

In conclusion, coating CBD flower with THCA isolate is an effective method to enhance the THCA content of cannabis products. It offers precise control over cannabinoid levels and can significantly improve the quality and appeal of lower-grade flowers. This technique, while less common, is a valuable tool for producers aiming to meet the growing demand for high-THCA cannabis products.

Comparing the Methods

Early harvesting is generally preferred for its natural preservation of cannabinoids, offering a more holistic product. This method requires meticulous timing and post-harvest handling to maintain high THCA levels, resulting in a product that is closest to traditional marijuana. It may offer higher quality but often comes at a higher price point due to the intensive care involved in its cultivation and processing.

Coating with THCA isolate, while less common, provides a controlled method to boost THCA content, especially useful for creating consistent products from varying flower qualities. For consumers seeking THCA flower with higher concentrations of THCA, this method might be a better option. It can also be more cost-effective, particularly if the seller enhances lower-quality flower, thereby making it a more accessible choice for those on a budget.

Consumers seeking natural cannabis experiences may favor early-harvested THCA flower for its purity and traditional cultivation methods. In contrast, those looking for specific potency levels might opt for products enhanced with THCA isolate.

How THCA flower is made is a fascinating intersection of careful cultivation and innovative enhancement techniques. Whether through early harvesting or the application of THCA distillate, each method offers unique advantages to cater to different consumer preferences. Ultimately, both methods contribute to the diverse and dynamic landscape of THCA products, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the ever-evolving cannabis market.

Shop Premium THCA flower at Sweet leaf!