THC-A: Raw Cannabinoids Bring Their “A” Game

Imagine humanity’s first conscious encounter with the cannabis plant — the first sentient human mind to ponder its verdant foliage and pungent flowers. This unique plant must have left quite an impression on our inquisitive ancestors. And that first interaction between humans and the cannabis plant very likely ended with our ancient ancestor eating it — our species’ go-to field test for toxicity and nutritional value at the time.

That external application or consumption of raw cannabis hasn’t seen much use throughout modern history, where the psychoactive properties of dried cannabis flowers have been the primary focus. But interest in the medicinal properties in raw cannabinoids — THCA (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) and CBDA (cannabidiolic acid) — is now seeing a resurgence as more and more people explore and embrace the vast untapped potential of cannapharmacology.

CBDA and THCA are relatively recent additions to the plethora of therapeutic products available to medical cannabis patients, but utilizing the health benefits of plants in their raw forms goes back thousands of years.

CBDA and THCA offer unique benefits over more conventional, psychoactive cannabis medicine. The raw forms of cannabinoids do not have a pronounced psychoactive effect because they have not been decarboxylated.

The absence of a psychoactive “high” makes them ideally suited for treating children, the elderly and those sensitive to intoxicants.

Studies on these raw cannabinoids have discovered many promising therapeutic applications, from helping to regulate the immune system and relieve inflation to providing neuroprotective effects and slowing tumor growth.

There are currently only a few raw preparations available at market, but that number is likely to grow as more patients begin to recognize their value.

For patients in California, there are several options for CBDA and THCA products that are well distributed and widely available:

Jayden’s Juice’s THCA tincture is one of the first products of its kind on the market. It’s combined with a medium chain triglyceride oil that is rapidly absorbed by our bodies, making the desirable cannabinoids more bioavailable as they migrate into the endocannabinoid system.

Treatwell has recently added both CBDA and THCA preparations to its line of products, also using MCT oil as a carrier.

Alta California’s Pain Relief Plus tincture offers whole plant-extracted CBDA, but in an ethanol solution for rapid absorption.

Originally published in Issue 24 of Cannabis Now. LEARN MORE

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