The Cannabis Plant
Cannabis refers to a group of three plants with psychoactive properties, known as Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis.
​
When the flowers of these plants are harvested and dried, you’re left with one of the most common drugs in the world. Some call it weed, some call it pot, and others call it marijuana.
​
Cannabis is usually consumed for its relaxing and calming effects. In some U.S. states, it’s also prescribed to help with a range of medical conditions, including chronic pain, glaucoma, and poor appetite.
​
Keep in mind that while cannabis comes from a plant and is considered natural, it can still have strong effects, both positive and negative.
All information was sourced by Leafly, WeedMaps and Healthline
Terpenes
Terpenes are aromatic molecules responsible for the unique aroma and flavor of each cannabis cultivar but they are also produced by flowers, trees, herbs, and other plants.
If you’ve ever used aromatherapy to relax or invigorate your mind and body, you understand the basics of terpenes. Terpenes are aromatic compounds commonly produced by plants and fruit. They can be found in lavender flowers, oranges, hops, pepper, and of course, cannabis. Secreted by the same glands that ooze THC and CBD, terpenes are what make cannabis smell like berries, citrus, pine, fuel, etc.
There are many types of terpenes found in cannabis, and it’s worth familiarizing yourself with the most most common—especially myrcene, caryophyllene, limonene, and terpinolene, since they’re the most likely to occur in pronounced levels in cannabis.
Terpene Compounds
How THCA becomes THC
The simplified answer is through heat and light — or the process of decarboxylation. Heat removes a carboxylic acid group from THCA, altering the THC chemical structure. This makes it the perfect shape to fit into our endocannabinoid system (ECS) and the CB1 receptors that run throughout our central nervous systems, allowing for that classic elevated experience.
​
Though THCA doesn't have intoxicating effects, some consider fresh, raw, unheated cannabis a superfood. You may have heard of juicing cannabis or adding raw cannabis to smoothies for health enhancement. There's a good reason for that.
​
Much like avocados, kale, Greek yogurt, green tea, and garlic, raw cannabis has the potential to ease arthritis, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and other ailments.
​
THCA is believed to offer an assortment of medicinal benefits and is commonly used as a nutritional supplement and dietary enhancements.
What is the difference between CBD and THCA?
THCA is a cannabinoid acid and CBD is a cannabinoid. As such, the two compounds are very different structurally. In practice, THCA may offer some of the same benefits as CBD since they are both non-intoxicating and anti-inflammatory.
THCA vs. THC: decarboxylation process
Even though the most common decarboxylation process involves toasting cannabis in the oven to convert THCA into THC, there are many ways that weed can be decarboxylated, or decarbed.
​
Sunlight conversion. THCA converts to THC in varying degrees through exposure to heat or light. If a cannabis plant sits in the warm sun for an extended period of time, its THCA molecules will slowly convert to THC.
​
Room-temperature conversion. THCA also converts to THC when stored at room temperature for a long enough time. When submerged in olive oil, 22% of THCA will convert over the course of 10 days at 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Under the same conditions, 67% will convert when submerged in ethanol. Over time, cannabis stored at room temperature with a little light exposure will convert 20% of its THCA into THC. Bottom line: THCA is unstable and can convert to THC over time with little intervention.
​
Smoking. When a flame is used to smoke dried, cured bud, the high degree of heat applied in a short amount of time rapidly converts THCA to THC. However, not all THCA will convert and even though smoking is the most common way to enjoy THC's effects, it's not the most efficient.
Vaporizing. This is one of the most efficient ways of decarbing cannabis. When heated at a relatively low temperature, the cannabinoid acids are converted.
Continuing to increase the heat will make sure that the maximum amount of THCA is converted into THC, but only to a point. THC's ideal vaping temp is 315 degrees F (157 C); going beyond that may be better for some cannabinoids and terpenes (weed's flavor agents) but you'll lose THC as temps climb.
​
Using vape pens. Even more efficient than vaporizing flower is the use of already decarboxylated cannabis distillate found in preloaded vape pens. Since the THCA is already mostly converted to THC and the vaporization takes care of even more, this is an efficient method of taking in intoxicating cannabis. Buy legitimate vape pens from licensed brands and dispensaries to ensure the cannabis oil within contains no harmful ingredients.
​
Dabbing. Similar to vaporization, dabbing also decarbs THCA into active THC. Crystalline is the form of THCA most likely to be used for dabbing. It has little flavor or aroma, as most cannabis extractions aim to strip away the terpenes and flavonoids to isolate the cannabinoids. But many producers reintroduce cannabis-derived terpene blends back into the concentrate. Not only does the addition of terpenes improve the flavor, but these distinctively aromatic plant molecules also work together with cannabinoids to produce entourage effects that enhance the therapeutic potential of cannabis.
​
Baking. For intoxicating homemade edibles, you'll want to decarboxylate the weed before infusing it in butter or oil and you can use your oven to do it. Simply grind your weed, spread it evenly across a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake at 230 degrees Fahrenheit (110 degrees Celsius) for 30-45 minutes. This process will convert most of the THCA into THC.
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids, including THC, CBG, THCV, and others are only produced by the cannabis plant.
The cannabis plant is composed of hundreds of chemical compounds that create a unique harmony of effects, which is primarily led by cannabinoids. THC and CBD are the two most common cannabinoids and are the main drivers of cannabis’ therapeutic and recreational effects.
​
-
THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) makes us feel hungry and high, and relieves symptoms like pain and nausea.
-
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound known to alleviate anxiety, pain, inflammation, and many other medical ailments.
