Plant · Plant & chemistry

Total THC (decarboxylation)

also: thca

In a sentence. The combined THC + THCA figure after heating; many limits are written against total THC, not delta-9 alone.

Raw cannabis contains mostly THCA, an acidic precursor that converts to active THC when heated (decarboxylation). "Total THC" applies a conversion factor (about 0.877) to THCA and adds existing delta-9 THC. Because heating unlocks more THC, regulators increasingly write limits against total THC rather than delta-9 alone — a stricter measure.

Example

Total THC = delta-9 THC + (0.877 x THCA).

THC Field THC limit Dry-weight basis

Keep wandering

Want this simpler, or a deeper dig? Ask BUD about Total THC (decarboxylation).