If you are looking to explore more ways to enjoy marijuana and cannabis products, you might be interested in compounds that are a bit more potent. One example is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, which is commonly referred to as the much-easier-to-pronounce abbreviation THCa. THCAa is not a psychoactive compound, meaning it doesn't alter your mood or your mind.

What is THCA, how is it made, and why might you be interested in it?

What Is Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid (THCa)?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid is a cannabinoid, or a cannabis compound. Even though it is easy to confuse THCa and THC, they are different.

THCa is a precursor to THC. When the buds, stems, leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant dry out, THCa turns into THC. Furthermore, heat can make THCa convert into THC more quickly.

THC is responsible for the psychoactive impacts of marijuana, while THCa is not. Therefore, even though it is possible for THCa to convert into THC, a psychoactive compound, THCa cannot actually get someone high.

What Are the Effects of THCa?

The biggest benefit of THCa is that it can be converted into THC, but, as we've said, THCa itself does not necessarily lead to any psychoactive effects. At the same time, there are a few other possible effects of THCa.

For example, some people like using THCa to control inflammation. They feel aches and pains from conditions like chronic inflammation, arthritis, old injuries, and other conditions. To reduce inflammation, they might try THCa; of course, anyone with medical concerns should consult a doctor.

In addition to pain control, some people use THCa to help with sleep, especially if they have sleep disorders.

What Do THCa Diamonds Look Like?

Diamond dabs are the crystal-like byproducts. As the name suggests, THCA diamonds are solid, crystalline stones. They are sometimes transparent, sometimes not. Some people say they resemble coarse sugar, while other people say they look like rock candy. Ultimately, the conditions, the strain, and the crystallization process will all play a role in the final appearance of THCA diamonds.

What Are THCa-Diamonds and Terp Sauce?

Cannabis diamonds have become incredibly popular because they can be smoked, vaped, and otherwise consumed to relieve various issues. They are called diamonds because they look like diamond stones. Even though these diamonds are often sold with terp sauce, they are not the same.

The diamonds refer to the crystalline structure itself. The terp diamond sauce is the compound or substance that coats the THCA diamond after the crystallization process is complete. Diamonds are popular because they can be pure THCA compounds, but they may also come with terp sauce. Keep in mind that diamond sauce is more potent than diamond shatter.

THCa vs CBD: What's the Difference?

While THCa is a cannabinoid acid, CBD is a cannabinoid. They are different in structure, but they are similar in that neither is psychoactive and both have similar effects, such as reducing inflammation, helping with sleep and calming anxiety.

CBD works with your body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are cannabinoid receptors in our nervous systems. CBD binds to the CB1 receptors to balance the psychoactive effects of THC (not THCa); it also binds to the CB2 receptors to reduce inflammation and pain.

THCa, on the other hand, doesn’t bind to the CB receptors. It works with your body’s endocannabinoids and enzymes to reduce inflammation and pain.

So, they both produce similar effects, but their approaches differ. (Source: Tanasi)

How and Who Should Consume THCa Diamonds?

There are several ways people might be able to consume THCa diamond concentrates. Some options include:

Smoking THCa crystalline extract
Vaping diamonds concentrate
Dabbing diamonds

If you are looking to benefit from the healing and anti-inflammatory effects from THCa, for example, we'd recommend trying THCa diamonds. We grow all of our cannabis plants indoors in a controlled environment and use hydrocarbon extraction to create THCa diamonds, which we describe more below (See "How Are THCa Diamonds Made" below).

Diamond concentrates are very potent, with THC ranging from 85% to 96%.

Remember, THCa itself does not have psychoactive properties, but when it is heated, it may be converted into THC.

Dabbing THCa

The process of dabbing refers to using a very small amount of the crystallized THCa product and heating it to 400 to 600 degrees. It requires a special rig, which you can find at your local cannabis shop. Dabbing is so-called because of the small amount -- just a dab. First-timers should learn dabbing at their local cannabis shop with a licensed budtender before trying it at home on their own, so you can learn things like the best temp to dab concentrates, and the best and safest ways to consume it.

Regardless of how much experience you have with cannabis, start with low amounts, so you can understand how the THCa-enhanced products might impact you before you decide to increase your dose. Any time you try a new product, start low and build a little at a time, so you can get the best effect and not get greened out.

How Are THCa Diamonds Made?

If you are interested in THCa production, it is important to know that you should not make this crystalline extract on your own. There is a very detailed process that has to be followed, and it is best left to experts who can do so safely in a controlled and licensed facility.

The first step is to get cannabis extract, which is combined with hexane and acetic acid. These are solvents that will dissolve plant compounds that might be left, including lipids, fats, and terpenes. After this, any unwanted compounds are separated from the THCa. The next step requires a lot of advanced equipment, such as a rotary vessel. Then, heat, pressure, and continuous motion are used to evaporate the solvent in the compound. What is left behind is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid.

At this point, the THCa still has unwanted compounds and contaminants that need to be removed. They are separated from THCa using a process called chromatography. Chemicals are added to the mix, unwanted compounds are removed, and the solution is run through the rotary vessel again. This will further refine the THCa, making it as pure as possible. Finally, the THCA compounds have chemically bonded to one another to create a crystalline structure. To convert THCa into THC, a decarboxylation reaction is required.

What Is BHO Diamond Mining?

BHO stands for butane hash oil. These are crystal index tracks of inactive compounds. They may include THCa, but they might include a variety of other compounds. Diamond miner BHO commonly show up in sauces or other concentrates that are rich in a variety of terpenes. BHO diamond mining refers to the process of making BHO diamonds. Resin, concentrates, and other chemicals are used to complete the process. It is not unusual for the process to take several weeks.

Where To Buy THCa Diamonds?

If you are looking for the best place to purchase THCa diamonds, it is important to rely on an experienced, reputable, and trustworthy producer and not to buy street products, as fake THC diamonds are not only low quality, but dangerous.

You can find high-quality THCa diamond products from licensed cannabis brands, but make sure you do your research as for everything else you consume. The right product for one person might not be the right product for someone else. We can’t stress this enough: Always start slow, in small amounts, take some time to observe and measure the way you feel. Then, adjust to find the right THCa combination to meet your needs.