You've probably heard that THCA won't get you high—but that doesn't mean it's not detectable on a drug test. The non-psychoactive cannabinoid might appear harmless to ingest prior to a test being given, but there's more to the scenario. If you're ingesting raw cannabis products, you'd better understand what THCA does within your system—and how it might trigger a red flag on a THCA drug test.
THCA: What it is and What it isn’t
THCA is unheated, raw THC. It is in raw cannabis and won't get you high until it is decarboxylated, which is a step that activates it. Unless you're vaping it, cooking it, or smoking it, you won't get any psychoactive effect.
But don't be fooled into believing that THCA cannot be detected by drug tests. Just because it won't change your mindset doesn't mean it may not show a reading.
Standard drug tests cannot differentiate
Most drug tests, namely urine tests, are designed to detect THC metabolites, typically 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THC-COOH). When you ingest THC, your liver metabolizes it into the metabolite, which is what you will have in the test.
Here's the catch: THCA has the ability to convert to THC, and in some situations—either when you have yet to consume it or when it is being metabolized—it has the ability to still create the same metabolites. If even a trace of THCA does this in your body, you can be in danger of a positive test.
Heat and Time: Hidden Routes to THC
Even if you don't heat THCS, decarboxylation will still occur slowly over time. Leaving THCA-laden items in warm environments or in the sun will slowly convert some of the substance to THC. You won't feel it, but your body may pick up on just enough converted THC to metabolize and deposit metabolites and flag you down in a THCA drug test.
And anyway, even though THCA doesn't bind to your endocannabinoid receptors like THC does, your body's liver and digestive system can possibly partially decarb or metabolize it unpredictably—particularly with tinctures, capsules, or edibles.
What This Means for a Drug Test
You may have raw cannabis material in your system today and not experience any psychoactive effects but be sweating the urine test tomorrow. Your body chemistry, the age of the product, storage conditions, and method of ingestion all play a factor in whether or not THCA is detectable.
So, if you are under frequent scan for work, sports, or legal reasons, it's dangerous to assume you're in the clear because you have a product with "THCA" and not "THC.".
Also Read: The Smart Way to Buy THCA Online: What to Check Before You Checkout
How to Protect Yourself
To prevent surprises you don't want, you'll need to be clever to avoid being caught in a THCA drug test. Always check lab reports whenever possible, particularly for flower and concentrates. See if there is any percentage of decarbed THC already in the product. Avoid heating products and storing them for extended periods in suboptimal conditions.
If you're using it therapeutically, you may wish to schedule your use around potential test dates or utilizing cannabinoid substitutes with zero risk of THC conversion, such as CBD isolate.