Cannabis can be confusing, especially for newcomers just looking to tap into its therapeutic effects or even those just trying to get high. You’re probably familiar with CBD and THC, but there are so many other cannabinoids you need to know about as well.

Today, we’ll compare and contrast delta 8 flower vs THCa flower to show you where they’re similar and where they differ. Both of these are available legally here in the US thanks to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, and each can get you high.

However, delta 8 THC is known as “diet” weed because it produces much milder effects than delta 9 THC, which is the more well-known form of THC. This might be just what you’re looking for if traditional cannabis feels overwhelming, though.

On the other hand, THCa is the precursor to delta 9 THC. It’s a unique cannabinoid in that it won’t produce any effects on its own – but once you heat it up through smoking, vaping, or baking, it transforms into delta 9 THC.

So, choosing between THCa flower vs delta 8 flower is actually pretty simple. Want the most genuine cannabis experience possible? Stick with our THCa flower for sale online at Flowerz. Want something more mellow and underwhelming? Delta 8 THC might be more up your alley.

Overview of Delta 8 Flower

Delta 8 flower is hemp-derived cannabis flower infused with Delta 8 THC. Wait, infused? That’s right. Delta 8 may be a naturally occurring cannabinoid, but it’s found in such low concentrations that it wouldn’t really do anything.

So, most delta 8 products on the market are actually synthetically produced through something called isomerization. This is where CBD is converted to delta 8 THC using heat and acidic catalysts, then purified and distilled. Raw hemp flower is sprayed or dipped in the delta 8 THC.

We know what you’re thinking…sounds weird. Probably not something you want to put in your body. But, it’s popular for those who want a mild yet authentic cannabis experience.

Delta 8 THC interacts with the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a network of receptors throughout the body and brain that dictate how you feel cannabis. Different cannabinoids interact with different receptors (CB1 or CB2) to elicit some sort of response.

With delta 8, though, the effects are far less potent than traditional delta 9 THC, which is the cannabinoid people associate with the “high” of cannabis. You’ll still feel some level of euphoria, stress relief, and mild body relaxation, but without intense sedation and paranoia.

It’s legal and accessible in some states where marijuana and other hemp-based cannabis products are not available. But, it can feel underwhelming to those who have used real cannabis products in the past. Let’s look at the other half of the delta 8 vs THCa comparison below.

Overview of THCa Flower

THCa flower is naturally grown cannabis flower that is rich in tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa), the raw, non-psychoactive form of THC. In fact, THCa is among the most abundant cannabinoids in cannabis! No need to extract, spray, or dip anything here.

What makes THCa flower really unique, though, is that it holds no psychoactive properties or much therapeutic potential at all in its natural state. So why bother? The moment you apply heat to THCa, either through smoking, vaping, or baking, it transforms into delta 9 THC.

This is known as decarboxylation. Basically, THCa has an extra carboxyl group holding it back from its full psychoactive potential. Removing that carboxyl group through heat unlocks its full power.

So when you smoke, vape, or bake with THCa flower, you’re essentially getting traditional delta 9 THC flower. You can expect strong psychoactive effects along with some therapeutic relief depending on the strain. Potential outcomes include:

• Euphoria and mood elevation
• Heightened sensory perception
• Deep body relaxation or energizing effects, depending on the strain
• Increased appetite and potential pain relief

The effects are all based on the type of flower in question. For instance, sativa THCa flower is better for daytime use or social settings because it’s more uplifting and energizing. It’s more of a head high, so you won’t feel overly tired.

But when you really want to relax and unwind at the end of the day, indica THCa flower is your best bet. It’s a strong body high that can lock you into the couch and make it hard to want to do anything but kick back and chill. Hybrid THCa flower is the middle ground between the two.

You might be thinking to yourself, it sounds too good to be true. How can you legally ship THCa flower straight to your doorstep if you live in a state without medical or recreational cannabis?

It’s all thanks to the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. As long as the flower is hemp-derived and contains no more than 0.3% delta 9 THC by dry weight, it’s federally legal. This bill left open a loophole, failing to account for the fact that THCa can offer the same experience as delta 9.

Delta 8 Flower vs THCa Flower: What’s the Difference?

You might be starting to see which is more in line with your preferences between THCa flower vs delta 8 flower already. Looking for the most authentic cannabis experience possible? Stick with THCa flower.

But if you find the high from real weed to be overwhelming and want something more subtle, albeit one dimensional, delta 8 flower might be a good choice. Let’s take a closer look at how they stack up against each other below.

Origin and Production

The differences between THCa vs delta 8 flower start with how they’re produced. Although the origins are similar – they’re both hemp flower – that’s where things take a turn.

THCa flower is completely natural. It’s not chemically altered or infused with cannabinoids, what you see is what you get. The plant is cultivated, harvested, dried, and cured before being lab-tested to confirm potency and purity. Then, it’s shipped to your doorstep.

Delta 8 flower takes a very different journey. Once the hemp flower is harvested, dried, and cured, it’s then infused with Delta 8 THC distillate sourced from CBD.

The flower may be sprayed or dipped to impart the cannabinoid into the bud. Sometimes, manufacturers will even round out the experience by infusing terpenes to improve flavor and effects.

We don’t know about you, but we prefer to keep things as natural as possible in our self-care regimen. That’s why THCa has a dramatic edge over delta 8 just for this reason alone.

Psychoactive Effects

You’ll also see serious differences between delta 8 flower vs THCa flower in terms of how strong each cannabinoid is. Now, let’s be clear – THCa flower technically holds zero psychoactivity on its own. But remember, it’s essentially going to deliver the same experience as delta 9 THC.

In this sense, THCa is incredibly potent. You’ll feel a euphoric high come over you when you smoke or vape it. Expect some sort of altered sensory perception – things might look or sound different. Food tastes better, jokes are funnier. You may notice a more carefree outlook on life.

Don’t forget, though, the exact psychoactive effects you feel are shaped by the strain in question. Sativa highs tend to be more subtle, whereas an indica high can really take hold of the body.

Vaping or smoking delta 8 flower is going to get you high as well, make no mistake. But you’ll notice that delta 8 is much milder if you compare the two side by side. A seasoned user might not feel anything at all after consuming delta 8 since they have a higher THC tolerance.

This comes down to how the cannabinoid interacts with the ECS. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, just like delta 9 THC. However, it has a weaker affinity than traditional THC, so the effects will feel more subtle.

Is that a bad thing? Not for those who have given delta 9 THC an honest chance and found it was too strong. We’ve seen people refer to delta 8 as a better “functional” high for daytime use. You’ll feel nuanced euphoria and calmness, but not much in the way of a body high.

Medical and Wellness Uses

When most people think about THC, be it delta 8, delta 9, or THCa for that matter, they’re thinking about getting high. But the truth is, THC has its place in self-care rituals and can provide relief in a number of ways, similar to CBD!

Compare the potential benefits of delta 8 flower vs THCa flower and see which does a better job meeting your needs. There’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer.

Legality and Availability

To a certain extent, you may have to choose between delta 8 flower vs THCa flower based on what’s available in your state. Technically, each of these cannabinoids is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill (assuming it meets the stipulations for hemp sourcing and delta 9 THC content).

But, some states have banned or restricted delta 8 THC given the concerns about how it’s produced synthetically. These include Alaska, Colorado, and New York. Delta 8 is notorious for being found in gray and black markets.

THCa, on the other hand, is less restricted. However, some states have become aware of the legal loophole left in the 2018 Farm Bill, recognizing people are basically buying delta 9 THC online. You’ll need to research your specific state to make sure you’re staying within the law.

So, is THCa Better Than Delta 8 THC?

That does it for our comparison of delta 8 flower vs THCa flower. So, is THCa better than delta 8 THC? Ultimately, that’s something only you can decide for yourself. But if you’re looking for another opinion, yes. We think THCa is the better cannabinoid for quite a few reasons.

Don’t get us wrong, delta 8 THC has its place – especially for those who are worried about getting high and want something more subtle and mellow. New cannabis users or those trying to get more control over effects can start with delta 8 THC and get used to it before trying THCa.

However, we’re not so sure about the process of spraying and infusing flower. We prefer to keep things natural, and THCa flower is as natural as it gets. It also delivers the most authentic cannabis experience possible, much more on par with real weed than delta 8.

That’s why we’re proud to provide the best selection of THCa flower online here at Flowerz. We source premium, slow-cured THCa flower with high terpene content and full lab testing for purity and compliance.

So, take a look at our catalog and find the perfect strain for your unique preferences. Enjoy a clean, powerful, and natural cannabis experience at Flowerz!

Wrapping Up Our Comparison of THCa Flower vs Delta 8 Flower

In closing, both THCa flower and Delta 8 flower have their place – but one is better than the other, as you can see through this comparison of delta 8 flower vs THCa flower.

So is THCa better than delta 8? We think so. And once you experience the difference yourself, we think you’ll agree. It produces a more balanced, complex, authentic high than delta 8 ever could. There are no concerns associated with spraying or dipping the flower in anything, either.

Why settle for infused when you can enjoy the real thing at Flowerz? Try a true-to-plant, high-potency THCa product today and enjoy cannabis as it was meant to be.