Marijuana Is Basically Legal In Texas and Here’s Why

If you're in Texas, chances are you've been hearing a lot about THCa, but what exactly is it, and why is everyone talking about it? THCa, or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a naturally occurring compound found in raw cannabis plants. What's surprising is that while marijuana itself is still illegal for recreational use in Texas, THCa has found a legal loophole, allowing it to be sold and used in the state.

But how can this be? According to an article from Texas Monthly, it all comes down to a technical difference in how the law is written and how the compound interacts with heat. THCa, on its own, isn't psychoactive, meaning it won’t get you high in its raw form. However, with a little heat—whether from smoking, vaping, or even cooking—it transforms into THC, the compound that’s responsible for marijuana’s well-known effects.

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LOOK: MARIJUANA IS BASICALLY LEGAL IN TEXAS AND HERE'S WHY

Here's how it works:

THCa itself won’t get you high if you eat or consume it as it is. But, things change when you heat it. When THCa is exposed to heat, it turns into THC, which is the compound in marijuana that causes a "high." So, even though recreational marijuana is illegal in Texas, THCa has found a legal loophole, at least for now.

Why is THCa allowed?

It all goes back to the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp in the United States. As long as hemp products have less than 0.3% THC, they are legal. THCa falls under this category because, in its raw form, it isn’t THC. However, once you heat THCa, it gives you the same effects as marijuana.

For now, THCa remains legal in Texas as a hemp product. It’s sold in stores and online, and many people are using it as a legal way to experience the effects of marijuana.

If you’re curious about marijuana-like effects in Texas, THCa might be your answer but don’t be surprised if this loophole gets closed in the future.