Is THCA Legal in Utah (Updated for 2024)

On the matter of legality, THCa appears to be legal at the federal level and should also be legal in the state of Utah. But it is not that simple. Let’s take a closer look at THCa (not to be mistaken with THCv) and its legal status in Utah and the greater USA.

Key Takeaways

• THCa is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill as it is produced from hemp with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC.
• Because THCa is chemically identical to THC (with the decarboxylation), it is currently not listed as a prohibited substance in the Utah State Controlled Substances Act.
• In Utah, THCa exists in a legal limbo of sorts; it’s not listed as a controlled substance and there are no laws specifically outlawing it, presumably since it’s not psychoactive unless decarboxylated into THC.
• THCa has no possession limits in Utah and is tolerated well by most people without any known toxic effects.

THCa and Federal Law in the United States

In accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, products containing cannabinoids derived from the hemp plant can be legal if they meet the required thresholds. The products must be made from hemp, not marijuana; a major distinction hinges upon the percentage of Delta-9 THC.

A plant with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, it’s classified as hemp. But if a plant contains more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC, it’s considered marijuana, which is federally illegal. Technically speaking, THCa meets these requirements, as it is hemp-derived, and is not the same thing as Delta-9 THC. However, THCa turns into Delta-9 THC when heated.

Therefore, by definition, THCa cannot possibly contain more than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Seeing as THCa turns into Delta-9 THC, the only thing that makes THCa legal is that it hasn’t yet been decarboxylated and converted into Delta-9 THC.

It’s an interesting tidbit, one might even say a legal loophole. However, the bottom line is that THCa is legal at the federal level. For the record, in terms of psychoactivity, pure THCa is more like CBD.

Utah THCa Laws

Suffice to say, laws regarding hemp and cannabis in Utah are confusing. That’s simply because THCa is a controversial cannabinoid. Therefore, our official recommendation is to err on the side of caution.

For instance, under the Utah Controlled Substances Act, all forms of hemp-derived THC, not just Delta-9 THC, are illegal. Even Delta-8 THC, which can be hemp-derived, is not legal in Utah. What it comes down to is that all forms of THC, whether hemp or marijuana-derived, are not legal in Utah.

However, there does appear to be an exception to this rule, THCa. Nowhere is it specifically stated that THCa is illegal in the state of Utah. As mentioned above, it is best to err on the side of caution, but technically speaking, there appear to be no laws outlawing THCa in Utah. This could be because THCa is not actually a form of THC, but rather a precursor to it. People in Utah have been selling, using, and buying THCa products with under 0.3% Delta-9 THC.

Is THCa a Controlled Substance in Utah?

At this time, Utah has all versions of THC listed as Schedule I controlled substances. Although, this appears to apply mainly to isomers such as Delta 10 THC and Delta-8 THC.

However, there do not appear to be any laws explicitly outlawing THCa. THCa is not included in the Schedule 1 controlled substance list. Once again, this may be because it is, technically, not a form of THC, but rather a precursor to it.

THCa Possession Limits in Utah

Because THCa is not considered a controlled substance in the state of Utah, there are also no possession limits. There are no restrictions on the amount of THCa that you can buy or own.

Is THCa Legal in Utah?

Although the laws are quite murky, and even though all forms of THC are technically considered Schedule I controlled substances in Utah, it appears as though THCa takes advantage of a legal loophole.

Because it is technically not considered Delta-9 THC or any form of THC for that matter, but rather an acidic precursor that requires a chemical reaction to turn into THC, it should be legal in Utah.

There do not appear to be any legal repercussions for possessing or using THCa in Utah. When it comes to THCa vs THC in Utah, the former appears to be legal, whereas the latter does not.

Is THCa Safe?

We cannot definitively talk about THCa’s safety profile due to the limited research on the subject topic.  Generally, like CBD, THCa is largely safe and well tolerated by most people. This is more so when it’s consumed in its natural, non-psychoactive state.

However, may we add that people react differently to cannabinoids. That’s why we constantly urge for caution when consuming these compounds. Start with low doses as you assess how your body responds. Once you establish a good response, you can indulge responsibly.

Where to Buy THCa in Utah

Due to the lax THCa legality in Utah, it is possible to purchase it, specifically from us right here at Botany Farms. If you’d like to purchase some high-quality THCa products, check out our THCa Live Resin Vape Cart, by far one of the best vapes on the market.

If you’d rather have some flower, this Crystal Candy Indica and this Purple Tangie THCa strain both make for great options. If rolling is too much for you, an easy pre-roll like our THCa Godfather Pre-Rolls might be right up your alley. Here are some other high THCa hemp strains worth checking out.

THCa: Frequently asked Questions

Here are some common questions users ask about THCa:

Does THCa make me high?

No, in its natural form (pre-carboxylation), THCa is not psychoactive. That’s because it has a weak affinity for the CB1 receptors.

Is THCa the same as THC?

No, THCa and THC are closely related but are not the same compound. However, THCa turns into THC when heated.

How does THCa affect my brain?

THCa is thought to possess neuroprotective properties that may help slow down the development of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s.