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Curious about cannabis lab results? Not sure how to read them? You’ve come to the right place. If you find it tricky to understand how to read THC vs. THCA lab results, you’re in good company. Many people like knowing that their cannabis has been third party tested by verified labs because it validates the safety and efficacy of the products. Still, some might not be sure how to read these lab results.

Educated consumers should understand what is in their products. This goes for all products, not just CBD, THC, and THCA. With that said, some labels and lab results are easier to read than others. Reading and fully comprehending THCA lab results requires some knowledge of math – there’s just no getting around it. Don’t worry, though – you don’t need to be a mathematician to enjoy THC and THCA.  Having a general idea of what to look for will suffice. If you really want to get into the finer details of THC vs THCA, we have a formula for that as well.

What is the Difference Between THC and THCA?

Understanding how to read cannabis lab results starts with knowing the difference between THC and THCA. Tetraydrocannabolic acid (THCA) is the precursor to THC. While the two cannabinoids have similar structures, there is one stark difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group that THC does not. This one detail may seem small, but it makes all the difference in whether or not the compound will deliver psychoactive effects. Having an extra carboxyl group means that THCA is not psychoactive in its raw state and will therefore not get you high.

Once it is exposed to heat and light through decarboxylation, however, THCA loses the extra carboxyl group and effectively becomes THC.

How Does THCA Become THC?

We mentioned earlier that decarboxylation transforms THCA into THC. Decarboxylation is the chemical reaction that results from exposure to light and heat. When put in the right environment (i.e., a decarboxylator, the oven, smoking/vaping, etc.), the extra carboxyl group from one substance (in this case THCA) gets removed, therefore activating the psychoactive compounds in the cannabis plant.

There are various decarboxylation methods, some of which include:

• Using a decarboxylator (sous vide method)
• Decarbing THCA in the oven
• The mason jar method for decarboxylation
• Making cannabutter

How do you Read THCA Lab Results?

With this knowledge as a foundation, there is still some confusion when it comes to reading cannabis lab results, particularly surrounding THC vs THCA. How do you determine THCA content? How can you know how much THC will be derived from THCA during the transformation process? Some of the uncertainty about total THC is due to the lab techniques used and the separation methods, which are gas chromatography (GC) and liquid chromatography (LC). Earmark these terms, as we’ll circle back to them in a bit.

What is Total THC?

Reading cannabis lab results and deciphering the total THC content of a product means you need to get the real potency value of the substances. This is where the math calculations come in. The formula to calculate THCTOTAL is:

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

Knowing the total THC content will help you understand how strong a certain strain of THC vs. THCA is.

What to Consider When Reading Lab Results for THC vs. THCA

We mentioned the separation methods GC and LC earlier; now is when they will come back into play. Knowing how to read cannabis lab results correctly is important for understanding how strong the product you’re taking will be. Additionally, GC does not work for THC edibles, which is why many labs have switched to the LC method.

Seeing more than one THC percentage on LC cannabis lab results is a good thing, as it indicates both the THCA and the THC content. Having these percentages on the label means the lab has taken all of the necessary steps to ensure clarity and transparency. In instances where labs use the GC method (for non-edibles), seeing one THC percentage will suffice, as this will indicate the total amount of THC.

Reading cannabis lab results can be complicated, even for the most experienced of users. Need more insight on finding out what a high THCA percentage is? We have you covered.

Whether or not you choose to go through all the calculations of deciphering THC vs. THCA for the total THC content, when you purchase from Black Tie CBD, you can be sure that everything you’re getting is high-quality and third-party tested.  Some of our bestselling THCA flowers include:

• GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a loud, semi-sweet, doughy-berry mixed aroma with strong undertones of gas.
• JEALOUSY (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, a dense, exotic flower with notes of pine, citrus, vanilla, and funky haze.
• ICE CREAM CAKE (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower, a cakey-doughy, sharp lemon aroma with hints of gas. It’s like eating vanilla ice cream cake with lemon zest.

We also offer THCA concentrate in a variety of forms. Shop now to find your perfect strain.

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So you know about CBD and you’ve heard about THCA (possibly), but what do you know about CBD vs THCA? With new terms, products, and compounds regularly being released to the cannabis market, it’s important to stay up to date on everything that is out there. Having a solid understanding of what each product is, what it may do or help with, and what to consider when taking CBD vs. THCA will make you a more educated consumer. It will also help you have a more enjoyable experience, no matter which type of cannabis you choose!

What is CBD?

Many people are familiar with the term CBD but it never hurts to have a little refresher on its actual definition. Cannabidiol (CBD) is the active ingredient in the Cannabis plant. Naturally occurring, CBD is a non-intoxicating compound. CBD may be ingested in many forms, including as an edible, CBD oil, CBD flower, and topically. How it is taken, the dosage at which CBD is taken, as well as one’s body composition and a variety of external factors will affect how strongly it impacts an individual.

What is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) is the acidic form of THC. The best way to think of THCA is as the precursor to THC. THCA has a similar molecular structure to that of THC except for one key difference: THCA has an extra carboxyl group, making it non-psychoactive in its original state. Once it undergoes decarboxylation, THCA loses that extra carboxyl group, which activates its ability to induce a “high.”

How Does CBD Differ from THC and THCA?

Some of the confusion between CBD vs THCA comes from the misconception that THCA will not get you “high.” This causes some people to think that CBD is the same as THCA, but the two couldn’t be more different. While THCA in its raw form does not have psychoactive properties, it can induce euphoria once it has been decarboxylated. This means that once THCA is heated, light-treated, and transformed into usable THC, it will in fact deliver the same sensations you’re likely seeking from Delta9.

CBD, on the other hand, will not do this. No matter how much heat and light treatment CBD undergoes, it will not transform into a psychoactive substance in the way that THCA becomes THC. While some strains of CBD contain a very small percentage of THC (under 0.3% THC for the legal limit), this is not enough to make it intoxicating.

The Entourage Effect: Can CBD be Used with THCA?

For people on a mission to maximize the benefits of these phytocannabinoids, combining them may be the way to go. CBD can be mixed with THC, which means it can also be combined with THCA for an entourage effect. Using CBD with THCA flower may intensify the effects of both, which could be good or bad depending on what your goal is. If you’re new to using cannabis and want to take things slow, starting with one (ideally CBD) is advisable as opposed to using CBD with THC or THCA. Alternatively, if you consider yourself somewhat of a cannabis connoisseur and want to experiment with something new, we say go ahead!

As always, make sure that the CBD and THCA products you’re taking are third-party lab tested, approved, and verified to be safe. The best way to do this is to purchase from a reputable CBD retailer like Black Tie CBD. Find everything you need to complete your cannabis collection right here when you shop with us at Black Tie CBD.

^[1] https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/cannabidiol-cbd-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont-2018082414476#:~:text=The%20evidence%20for%20cannabidiol%20health%20benefits&text=Animal%20studies%2C%20and%20self%2Dreports,falling%20asleep%20and%20staying%20asleep.

^[2] https://www.crescolabs.com/cannabinoids/thca/  

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THCA Flower is a type of cannabis flower (the bud of a female marijuana plant) that contains THC-A (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid). THCA is a cannabinoid that is found in its raw form in the cannabis plant. It is the “acid form” of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound that naturally occurs in cannabis plants. THCA Flower is often more potent than regular cannabis flower, and it may offer potential therapeutic benefits.

What is THCA Flower?

THCA Flower is a raw form of cannabis flower, similar to buds that come from a marijuana plant. It has higher levels of THCA and lower levels of THC than the buds you would find at a dispensary. THCA Flower is non-psychoactive, meaning that it won’t get you high. Instead, THCA has its own therapeutic benefits that may make it beneficial for medical marijuana patients.

THCA Flower is often more potent than regular cannabis flower, and it may offer potential therapeutic benefits. It contains terpenes, phytochemicals that are responsible for the distinct aromas of cannabis flowers. In addition to THCA, it contains other cannabinoids like CBCA and CBGA that may offer different health benefits. THCA Flower is usually available in either a crystalline or a powder form.

Why Consumers Use THCA Flower

THCA Flower has several potential health benefits that make it popular with cannabis consumers. It is non-psychoactive, so people who don’t want the “high” of cannabis can use it to experience the therapeutic benefits without getting stoned.

THCA Flower is also a great way to experiment with different terpenes. Many cannabis consumers like to use THCA Flower to explore the various flavors and smells that terpenes can provide. Since THCA Flower doesn’t contain THC, users can combine different strains and aromas without worrying about getting too high.

How to Consume THCA Flower

THCA Flower can be consumed in a variety of ways. It can be vaped, smoked, or even added to food and drinks. The most popular way to consume THCA Flower is by vaping it. Vaping is a safer alternative to smoking and it also provides more accurate dosing. The vapor from vaping is less harsh and can provide a more consistent experience than smoking.

If you’d like to add THCA Flower to your meals or drinks, you can do so by using a vaping device or by infusing it into your favorite oil or butter. Then, you can use it to make edibles, drinks, and more. Please note that heat is needed to decarboxylate THCA into THC and activate the psychotropic effects.

Where to Buy THCA Flower

THCA Flower is widely available in recreational and medical dispensaries. The best place to buy THCA Flower is from a reputable seller such as Black Tie CBD. They offer a wide range of THCA Flower products that are third-party tested for potency and safety, giving you peace of mind when you purchase from them.

Benefits of THCA Flower

THCA Flower is an exciting product that has potential therapeutic benefits. Its non-psychoactive nature makes it a great option for those who don’t want to get “high” from using cannabis. Lastly, THCA Flower is a great way to explore the various smells and flavors that terpenes can provide.

To reap the potential benefits of THCA Flower, be sure to purchase it from a trusted and reputable source like Black Tie CBD https://blacktiecbd.net/collections/thc-a-flower.

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The cannabis industry is riddled with retailers claiming to have the best THC and THC-A Flower money can buy, but how can you know who’s legit? Purchasing quality THC-A Flower requires a bit more leg work than most of us give it credit for. Knowing where to buy the best THC-A Flower can make all the difference in your experience with the product both now and in the future. That’s why we put together some quality considerations and expert tips for buying THC-A Flower. Some of these may be reminders while others could be nuggets of wisdom. Add this insight to your hemp flower information arsenal so you feel better equipped to purchase THC-A with confidence.

There are several key considerations all hemp flower enthusiasts should keep in mind when making a purchase. The best place to buy THC-A Flower will be from…

A THC-A Retailer You Trust

You can’t argue with this one. Starting from a place of trust is key, especially when you’re dealing with products that could yield psychoactive effects. How do you know if you can trust a cannabis retailer? There are several determining factors, some of which we’ll break down below. First, however, make sure the THC-A hemp flower retailer has all their ducks in a row. That means clear information on their website, readily available contact information, and plenty of research-based information to back up any claims they may be making.

A Place That Provides 3rd Party Tested Lab Results

This is key for cannabis retailers and THC-A hemp flower suppliers. When making any hemp flower purchase, you’ll want to buy from a place that makes all of their lab tests clearly available to all customers. Not only that, but it’s also important that they use 3rd party labs for their testing. This is to ensure that no one in their internal teams can tamper with the results and skew them in one direction or another. You’ll be pleased to know that all of Black Tie CBD’s products (beyond just our THC-A hemp flower) are 3rd party tested and verified.

Somewhere With THC-A Hemp Flower Options

When you’re looking for the right place to buy THC-A hemp flower, a good indication of quality will be a place with variety and options. Not everyone is going to like the same strain. Quality cannabis retailers know that, which is why they’ll provide a variety of THC-A hemp flower options from which you can choose. THC-A is still relatively new to the cannabis market, so the choices may be somewhat limited. That said, it’s still important that you’re able to choose the terpenes and flavor profile that speak to you.

Some of our bestsellers at Black Tie CBD include:

• FRUITY LOOPS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower. This indica-dominant, medium-density flower reveals layers of fruity loop flavors mixed in with spicy dough, floral accents, and berry undertones. Best used during the day.
• SOUR DIESEL (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower. Enjoy the mood-enhancing benefits of this sativa-dominant hemp flower to the max. Famous for its strong Diesel Fuel scent, this flower is delightfully pungent. Best used in the morning and throughout the day.

A Cannabis Retailer That Meets the Market Needs

While there’s no need to diversify your product offerings too much, there is something to be said for buying from a cannabis retailer that offers more than just one type of hemp. Companies that have been around for a while and have established a name for themselves in the industry will likely sell more than just THC-A hemp flower. Black Tie CBD, for example, is always on the hunt to find the newest and most innovative products in the industry. We want to offer our customers relevant, updated cannabis that speaks to market demands. It’s important to us to evolve alongside the industry. While we still offer plenty of legacy items like CBD gummies, tinctures, and tons of other smokables, we’re excited to continue learning about where our industry is going and offer products that reflect these changes.

With so many places selling THC-A hemp flower, it can be hard to know where to go and from whom to purchase. Use these tips to keep you on the right track as you go about your THC-A journey. Always remember that buying from a reputable retailer will give you the safest results. For any questions about our products or shipments, we encourage you to reach out to Black Tie CBD and contact us today.

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You may have heard the rumblings around town about THCA Flower, aka the latest and greatest new cannabis product on the market. As the precursor to THC, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) offers just about all the benefits as THC. The difference is how it gets there.

It’s a common misconception that THCA will not get you “high.” In fact, THCA can give you just as effective an experience as THC if you know how to use it correctly. We put together this step-by-step guide to safely using THCA hemp flower so you can maximize its benefits and get the results you’re looking for.

1.  Verify the Source of the THCA Flower

The first step to making sure you use THCA flower safely is to verify that it is coming from a reputable source. Licensed cannabis dispensaries and high quality cbd retailers will always provide extensive information about where they get their products from. Take Black Tie CBD, for example. We make all of our 3rd party lab tested analyses available for customers to review right on our website. Every product undergoes extensive testing with a third party lab to ensure that the results are 100% legit and never doctored. We take the safety of our customers extremely seriously and know that this is the most important factor when providing a product like THC-A flower. To safely use hemp, it’s critical to start with a trustworthy retailer. This is the best way to set yourself up for a safe experience overall.

2.  Know the Methods for Using THCA Flower

One of the benefits of THCA flower is that there are several ways it can be used and enjoyed. Some people smoke it while others dab. Others still consume raw THCA flower buds by adding them to baked edibles, juices, or even salad dressings. You can actually make a lot of delicious recipes with these buds! Before you dive right in, it’s important to know the various methods available so you can decide which one is right for you.

3.   Determine How You Want THCA Flower to Make You Feel

Part of knowing which method you want to use with THCA flower is figuring out how you want to feel. Are you looking to get “high” from THCA? In that case, smoking or vaping would probably be best. If you prefer to use it solely for its anti-inflammatory, pain management properties and want to bypass the psychoactive effects, consuming the hemp flower in a raw state would be a better choice.

4.  Use a Vaporizer

If you’re thinking about vaping or smoking THCA flower, one of the safest ways to go about it is to use a vaporizer over a vape pen. Vaporizing heats the THC oils and releases a vapor that filters out smoke, tar, and several other irritants. This could give you a cleaner, safer experience.

5.  Try Several THCA Hemp Flower Strains

Moving forward, the best way to ensure that you enjoy THCA flower is to get experimental. Try out a variety of different strains to see which one works best for you. Black Tie CBD has several THC-A Flower varieties, all of which can be purchased right on our site. Some of our highly recommended flowers include:

• GUSHERS (INDOOR) THC-A Hemp Flower, an Indica-dominant hybrid with a sweet, doughy aroma you’ll instantly love! Great for mood and sleep, this highly dense THC-A hemp flower contains a total of 17.1% THC (divided between THC and THC-A).
• JELLY BREATH (GH) THC-A Hemp Flower, another Indica-dominant hybrid designed to enhance your focus and mood. With a medium-high density, Jelly Breath is best enjoyed in the afternoon or evening. Open the bag and you’ll immediately be met with a fragrant, flower-berry blend.

The safest way to consume any cannabis product, whether it’s THC-A hemp flower, CBD gummies, tinctures, concentrates, or topicals, is to first purchase from a trustworthy source. Check out online reviews and do some background research to make sure the place you’re buying from is legitimate. Black Tie CBD Specialists hand-pick the newest and most sought after hemp products to give our customers a safe, reliable, and exceptional experience every time. For any questions about our methods, our products, and more, we encourage you to contact us today.

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By now, it’s high time you familiarize yourself with the latest and greatest cannabis product to hit the market. Yes, we’re talking about THC-A. Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A) is the precursor to THC, which makes it the OG in the cannabis space. That said, it’s also not as popular as THC, which means people have a lot of questions about it, as well as about its concentrates. If you have questions about THC-A Isolate, you’re not alone. Black Tie CBD is here to break down the ins and outs of this treasure so you can use it to your benefit.

Check out these commonly asked questions about THC-A isolate and you’ll feel good and ready once you try it out for yourself.

1.  What is the Difference Between THC-A and THC?

This is probably the question we get asked the most. Not sure about the difference between THC-A and THC? A lot of people are in the same boat. For starters, THC-A is the precursor to THC. This means that THC-A becomes THC once it undergoes decarboxylation. In its raw, unprocessed state, THC-A contains one extra carboxyl group that THC does not. This makes it different from THC and is the determining factor between which one will get you “high” (THC) and which one won’t (THC-A, unless it is decarboxylated). We’ll go into more detail on that below. The main thing to remember is that raw THC-A contains an additional carboxyl group.

2.   Will THC-A Isolate Get Me High?

Now comes the follow-up question: will THC-A get me “high”? In its decarboxylated form, THC-A will not yield the psychoactive results for which THC is known. Once it has been heated, treated, and exposed to the proper amount of sunlight, however, THC-A can offer high-inducing properties in the same way as THC.

THC-A Isolate is primarily used for dabbing, but can also be added on top of flowers in a bowl, joint, or blunt. All of these methods mean the isolate will undergo some degree of decarboxylation, which will result in a powerful “high” for the user. It’s important to have the full scope of this information so you understand how you may feel when using THC-A. For more insight, it may be helpful to check out our blog on the topic, Does THCA Get You HIgh? This and 5 Other Myths & Truths About THCA.

3.   How Do You Use THC-A Isolate?

There are a variety of ways to use THC-A Isolate. Many people enjoy dabbing but others add the concentrate to flowers, joints, or blunts. It can also be ingested orally as long as you swallow it with water. Given that THC-A Isolate is a raw powder, oral ingestion will not result in a psychoactive experience. Instead, it will deliver the potential medicinal benefits of the product but without the “high.”

As with other forms of cannabis, THC-A Isolate can also be applied in tincture form, baked into edibles, or as a topical solution.

4.   What’s the Proper Dose of THC-A Isolate?

Dosing THC-A isolate properly is not a one-size-fits all solution. Everyone will respond differently to doses of the product, which means it may require some trial and error. Another factor to consider regarding the proper dosage of THC-A isolate is what you want to gain from using it. Are you looking for the psychoactive benefits? Perhaps you want to bypass them and use it as an anti-pain or anti-inflammation remedy. Your goal will impact the dose of THC-A that’s best for you. The best thing you can do is to start small and slow and incrementally increase your dosage with time and experience.

5.   Is THC-A Isolate Legal?

THC-A Isolate is legal in some places. We unfortunately can’t give you a definite answer here because the legality of THC and related products is not definite in and of itself. THC-A is not  listed as a controlled substance, which means it is only legal as long as it is sourced from industrial hemp containing less than 0.3% THC (as per the 2018 Farm Bill). That said, we don’t know where everyone gets their THC-A isolate from. Furthermore, certain states have their own regulations regarding the legality of THC. In one state, THC-A may be legal but things could change once it transforms into THC. As always, it’s best to verify with your locality before taking or purchasing any THC-A product.

Learn more about THC-A isolate when you try it for yourself. For questions, feel free to contact us now!

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