Unlock the secrets of cannabis potency with a simple breakdown of THCa versus THC. THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the precursor to THC, the compound responsible for cannabis's psychoactive effects. While THCa doesn't induce a high on its own, it transforms into THC through a process called decarboxylation, often triggered by heat. This conversion occurs when cannabis is smoked, vaporized, or cooked.