{"brand":"Compound Laws","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/","compound":{"slug":"thca","name":"THCa","category":"cannabinoid","framework":"hemp_cannabinoid","description":"Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid - non-psychoactive precursor that decarboxylates to delta-9 THC when heated. The operative question per state is the total-THC basis: delta-9-only definitions leave THCa flower shippable; total-THC (post-decarb) definitions capture it.","same_as":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahydrocannabinolic_acid"},"as_of":"2026-10-22","summary":"THCa is legal to sell at retail in 6 states, restricted in 9, in a gray area in 0 and illegal in 36. Federal: federal gray area. Verified through October 22, 2026.","forms":[{"form":"all","label":"All forms","counts":{"legal":6,"restricted":9,"gray":0,"illegal":36,"unknown":0},"federal":{"status":"gray","headline":"THCa - federally contested: hemp on the statute's delta-9-only text, marijuana on DEA's post-decarboxylation reading; resolved against THCa "},"states":[{"code":"AL","name":"Alabama","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/alabama/"},{"code":"AK","name":"Alaska","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal outside the AMCO marijuana program: not endorsed for the industrial hemp channel (11 AAC 40.400(d)); lawful only as a licensed marij","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/alaska/"},{"code":"AZ","name":"Arizona","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-07-18","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/arizona/"},{"code":"AR","name":"Arkansas","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/arkansas/"},{"code":"CA","name":"California","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-07-18","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/california/"},{"code":"CO","name":"Colorado","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower restricted - cap/condition applies","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/colorado/"},{"code":"CT","name":"Connecticut","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-19","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/connecticut/"},{"code":"DE","name":"Delaware","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/delaware/"},{"code":"DC","name":"District of Columbia","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/district-of-columbia/"},{"code":"FL","name":"Florida","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Delta-9-only basis (\"total delta-9\", THCA not counted) keeps THCa flower legal if delta-9 <=0.3%; conditioned on 21+ and permit","verified_at":"2026-09-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/florida/"},{"code":"GA","name":"Georgia","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/georgia/"},{"code":"HI","name":"Hawaii","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/hawaii/"},{"code":"ID","name":"Idaho","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/idaho/"},{"code":"IL","name":"Illinois","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"21+ only since June 12, 2026 (Illinois Hemp Act, P.A. 104-463); from Nov 12, 2026 over 0.4 mg per container is cannabis and smokable or vape","verified_at":"2026-10-08","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/illinois/"},{"code":"IN","name":"Indiana","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal - scheduled / named ban","verified_at":"2026-07-25","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/indiana/"},{"code":"IA","name":"Iowa","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis (THCA counted, Iowa Code 204.2) puts THCa flower over 0.3%; inhalation ban (204.14A)","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/iowa/"},{"code":"KS","name":"Kansas","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower legal: delta-9-only basis","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/kansas/"},{"code":"KY","name":"Kentucky","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: registry post-decarboxylation (total-THC) basis bars raw THCa flower (302 KAR)","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/kentucky/"},{"code":"LA","name":"Louisiana","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: floral hemp retail ban + total-THC basis","verified_at":"2026-07-25","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/louisiana/"},{"code":"ME","name":"Maine","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower legal: delta-9-only basis","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/maine/"},{"code":"MD","name":"Maryland","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: total-THC mg basis funnels raw flower to cannabis channel","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/maryland/"},{"code":"MA","name":"Massachusetts","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: total-THC enforcement + raw-flower ban","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/massachusetts/"},{"code":"MI","name":"Michigan","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: THCA is statutorily THC","verified_at":"2026-10-19","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/michigan/"},{"code":"MN","name":"Minnesota","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: 'any THC' cap + no-combustion/vaporization rule","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/minnesota/"},{"code":"MS","name":"Mississippi","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: post-decarb total-THC defeats flower","verified_at":"2026-07-25","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/mississippi/"},{"code":"MO","name":"Missouri","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower legal: delta-9-only basis; not named in EO | HB 2641: marijuana-only from Nov 12, 2026","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/missouri/"},{"code":"MT","name":"Montana","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal outside the licensed marijuana program: total delta-9 basis puts THCa flower over 0.3% (MCA 80-18-101)","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/montana/"},{"code":"NE","name":"Nebraska","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower restricted: delta-9-only basis passes, but AG marijuana-treatment risk","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/nebraska/"},{"code":"NV","name":"Nevada","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: all-isomer basis, over-max becomes marijuana","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/nevada/"},{"code":"NH","name":"New Hampshire","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis puts THCa flower over the 0.3% hemp ceiling","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/new-hampshire/"},{"code":"NJ","name":"New Jersey","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"THCa flower illegal: 'Total THC' expressly includes THCA","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/new-jersey/"},{"code":"NM","name":"New Mexico","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis puts THCa flower over the 0.3% hemp ceiling","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/new-mexico/"},{"code":"NY","name":"New York","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total delta-9 THC basis (THCA x 0.877, 9 NYCRR 114) plus smokable-flower prohibition","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/new-york/"},{"code":"NC","name":"North Carolina","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"delta-9-only basis - THCa flower survives","verified_at":"2026-10-19","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/north-carolina/"},{"code":"ND","name":"North Dakota","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis puts THCa flower over the 0.3% hemp ceiling","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/north-dakota/"},{"code":"OH","name":"Ohio","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"total-THC basis kills THCa flower","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/ohio/"},{"code":"OK","name":"Oklahoma","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Restricted (effectively prohibitive): statute is delta-9-only; ODAFF enforces total THC, which THCa flower fails (enforcement, not law)","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/oklahoma/"},{"code":"OR","name":"Oregon","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal outside the OLCC marijuana program: total delta-9 basis (THCA x 0.877, ORS 475C.009) puts THCa flower over 0.3%","verified_at":"2026-10-07","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/oregon/"},{"code":"PA","name":"Pennsylvania","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"delta-9-only basis - THCa flower survives","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/pennsylvania/"},{"code":"RI","name":"Rhode Island","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis puts THCa flower over the 0.3% hemp ceiling","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/rhode-island/"},{"code":"SC","name":"South Carolina","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Contested - statute delta-9-only, AG total-THC","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/south-carolina/"},{"code":"SD","name":"South Dakota","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Inhalable-flower form ban","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/south-dakota/"},{"code":"TN","name":"Tennessee","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"total/total-theoretical THC kills THCa flower","verified_at":"2026-10-19","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/tennessee/"},{"code":"TX","name":"Texas","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Statute delta-9-only; smokable ban active","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/texas/"},{"code":"UT","name":"Utah","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"total-THC basis + smokable-flower ban","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/utah/"},{"code":"VT","name":"Vermont","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC product cap (CCB rules) THCa flower cannot meet","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/vermont/"},{"code":"VA","name":"Virginia","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC (THCA x 0.877) and 2 mg/package caps THCa flower cannot meet (Va. Code 3.2-4112)","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/virginia/"},{"code":"WA","name":"Washington","status":"legal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"delta-9-only basis - THCa flower passes definition","verified_at":"2026-10-19","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/washington/"},{"code":"WV","name":"West Virginia","status":"restricted","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Delta-9-only def; permit/smokable constraints","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/west-virginia/"},{"code":"WI","name":"Wisconsin","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: post-decarboxylation (total-THC) testing basis bars raw THCa flower","verified_at":"2026-10-22","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/wisconsin/"},{"code":"WY","name":"Wyoming","status":"illegal","state_status":null,"federal_overlay":false,"headline":"Illegal: total-THC basis puts THCa flower over the 0.3% hemp ceiling","verified_at":"2026-09-23","url":"https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/thca/wyoming/"}]}],"deadlines":[{"compound_id":34,"jurisdiction_code":"FED","scope":"federal","deadline_date":"2026-11-12","deadline_type":"enforcement","bill_number":"H.R. 5371 (Pub. L. 119-37, Sec. 781)","bill_url":"https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5371","title":"Federal hemp redefinition: Total THC = (THCa x 0.877) + delta-9 <= 0.3% + 0.4 mg total THC per container cap","status":"superseded","severity":5,"summary":"Effective Nov 12 2026: total-THC formula makes most THCa flower federally illegal (THCa is the prime target). DEA already applies a total-THC stance; OH SB56 + TX DSHS + 12 states moving.","notes":"ported from Shaman Intelligence 2026-10-07"},{"compound_id":34,"jurisdiction_code":"MO","scope":"state","deadline_date":"2026-11-12","deadline_type":"effective_date","bill_number":"HB 2641 (2026)","bill_url":"https://documents.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills261/hlrbillspdf/6366S.11T.pdf","title":"Intoxicating Cannabinoid Control Act, RSMo 195.900","status":"upcoming","severity":5,"summary":"Tier 1 (195.900.11(1)(a)) becomes marijuana-only, no contingency: synthesized or non-natural cannabinoids (HHC, converted D8, THCP, EPN class), THCA smokable flower or bud, solid edibles with hemp D9 above natural plant concentration. Manufacturing, testing, transportation and retail sale reserved to Article XIV licensees statewide; $5,000 per unit sold plus class D felony; AG has primary enforcement. No grandfathering or sell-through. Zero-THC products (0.4 mg or less total THC per container, no synthesized cannabinoids) are outside the mandate per the State's litigation position, ambiguous on the literal text. See law text RSMo 195.900 in the state drawer.","notes":"ported from Shaman Intelligence 2026-10-07"},{"compound_id":34,"jurisdiction_code":"IL","scope":"state","deadline_date":"2026-11-12","deadline_type":"effective_date","bill_number":"SB 3222 (P.A. 104-463)","bill_url":"https://agr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/agr/plants/documents/2026-06-il-hemp-act-overview.pdf","title":"Illinois Hemp Act: 0.4 mg per container cap, total THC, smokable and vape hemp banned","status":"upcoming","severity":5,"summary":"Nov 12, 2026: the Industrial Hemp Act is repealed and replaced. Hemp is measured by total THC including THCA (0.3% dry weight); a final hemp-derived product over 0.4 mg combined THC and similar cannabinoids per container is not hemp and is treated as cannabis; final consumer products cannot be intended for smoking or vaping; cannabinoids made outside the plant are excluded; lab testing, child-resistant packaging and a manufacturer license apply. 21+ has applied since June 12, 2026. This Illinois date does not move with the federal Dec 11 delay.","notes":"Oct 7 upcoming-law sweep"},{"compound_id":34,"jurisdiction_code":"FED","scope":"federal","deadline_date":"2026-12-11","deadline_type":"enforcement","bill_number":"H.R. 6500 (Pub. L. 119-103) / Pub. L. 119-37 Sec. 781","bill_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr6500enr/html/BILLS-119hr6500enr.htm","title":"Federal hemp redefinition, Dec 11 piece: total THC 0.3% and 0.4 mg total THC per container","status":"upcoming","severity":5,"summary":"Pub. L. 119-103 (continuing resolution, Sept 2, 2026) delayed the rest of the Pub. L. 119-37 sec. 781 hemp definition to Dec 11, 2026 (CRS IF13136, Sept 28, 2026): hemp is measured by total tetrahydrocannabinols including THCA (0.3% dry weight), and any final product over 0.4 mg combined total THC and cannabinoids with similar effects per container leaves hemp. A product that leaves hemp is marijuana, Schedule I, in every state.","notes":"Effective Nov 12 2026: total-THC formula makes most THCa flower federally illegal (THCa is the prime target). DEA already applies a total-THC stance; OH SB56 + TX DSHS + 12 states moving. | 2026-09-22: H.R. 6500 (signed 2026-09-02, amending P.L. 119-37 sec. 781) moved the total-THC redefinition to 2026-12-11 for naturally occurring cannabinoids (THCa flower, hemp delta-9, full-spectrum CBD). Secondary-source confirmation (church.law, thehazeconnect.com); verbatim enrolled text still owed."}],"recent_changes":[{"date":"2026-10-08","field":"status","from":"legal","to":"restricted","kind":"changed","det_id":1658,"compound_id":34,"code":"IL"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1656,"compound_id":34,"code":"IA"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1661,"compound_id":34,"code":"KY"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1678,"compound_id":34,"code":"NY"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1681,"compound_id":34,"code":"OR"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1690,"compound_id":34,"code":"VT"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"restricted","to":"illegal","kind":"changed","det_id":1692,"compound_id":34,"code":"WI"},{"date":"2026-09-23","field":"status","from":"illegal","to":"restricted","kind":"changed","det_id":1680,"compound_id":34,"code":"OK"}]}