5 Simple Tips to Spot a Fake THCA Product

THCA products are in very high demand right now, as those that must be heated, like vapes, flower, and dabs, actually give the body a serving of delta 9 THC through a process known as decarboxylation. Naturally, you’re going to be finding more THCA products both online and in-person because of fast-growing demand. However, that does mean all THCA products are made equally? No, in fact, and perhaps most importantly, you will need to know how to determine whether or not a specific product you’re looking at is fake.

All About Fake THCA Products

So, why and how do fake THCA products exist, anyway? The answer is actually pretty simple. As of not, the hemp industry still isn’t regulated as it waits for FDA approval, and so there is no governing body overseeing the production, marketing, and sales of cannabinoid-based products. Because of that, it’s very easy for companies to make super low-quality or fake products without having to pay any real consequences.

There are some ways you can make a fake THCA product:

  • A product that just doesn’t have any THCA.
  • Products that do contain THCA, but such a tiny amount that you will never get any kind of real results.
  • A counterfeit THCA product, which looks just like the product made by a legit brand, but it’s been copied by a sketchy manufacturer.
  • THCA products that aren’t fake, per se, but contain really low-quality, potentially harmful ingredients that you just don’t want to be taking.

How Can You Know if a Product is Fake?

Spotting a fake THCA product isn’t all that hard if you know what the clear signs are that you should be watching out for. Let’s go over the several key ways you can spot a fake THCA product, to avoid disappointment and wasted money – or worse, harm caused by the use of questionable ingredients.

#1: The Vendor Is Shady

Before anything else, we have to make a PSA about the fact that there are certain vendors you just shouldn’t be buying from, period. Those THCA vapes at the checkout section of a gas station store? It’s probably best to avoid them entirely. Even if these products are made with real THCA, these types of retailers just don’t have super high standards when it comes to hemp products, nor do they have the expertise about the industry to know when the product they’re carrying is questionable. Another big no-no is buying your THCA from an unlicensed party, like some local guy on Instagram who doesn’t have a business license.

#2: The Ingredients aren’t Right

Always check those ingredients that are printed on the label of a product, or on the brand’s website. That’s a great way to know right away that something is off. Of course, a product that contains lots of additives and fillers is not a legit formula that’s made with your best interests in mind. Keep in mind that vapes, dabs, and flower should not contain any added ingredients at all, as they’re supposed to be 100% pure hemp products.

#3: A Lack of Info About the Amount of THCA

Another thing to look for is an indication of how much THCA is in the product, whether that be flower (which will be a percentage) or milligrams (typically associated with vapes). If a company doesn’t make this information accessible, then there’s a good chance they’re trying to hide this information for some reason – like the fact that there is such a low THCA concentration in the formula that you won’t really get to feel its effects at all.

#4: A Lack of Third-Party Lab Reports

Lab reports are a critical aspect to choosing the right THCA product. These are a series of documents produced by an unbiased third-party testing facility. All companies should make them accessible, on their website, and often through a QR code on the product’s label as well, for when you’re shopping in person. These lab reports prove the legitimacy of a product, as they’re tested by an objective party, and clearly show the percentage of THCA in the product, along with other cannabinoids as well as terpenes, whether or not the product is safe, and whether or not it’s actually legally compliant.

#5: Little to No Transparency

Finally, you should look at the label of a product, or their website’s product page, to learn more about the brand and develop a sense of trust based on their practices. This should include contact info – preferably an address, phone number, and email – as well as some background info about how their product is made, such as whether or not the hemp is organic and what kind of extraction process they use, and anything else that tells a clear picture of how the product is made.

The Retailer is Everything, so Choose The Calm Leaf!

Here’s the bottom line: fake THCA does and will always exist. So, ultimately then, the best way to avoid a fake THCA product is to simply find the best, most trusted retailer online that you can, as you’ll know that they aren’t going to let you down. Online stores are always preferred because they specialize solely in hemp, and they must have higher quality standards to compete with the countless other online companies selling THCA. It’s also easier to find lab reports this way, to confirm that what you’re getting is legit.

Here at The Calm Leaf, you will find an awesome selection THCA vapes, dabs, and flower, all of which are made by trusted manufacturers, and arrive with third-party lab reports for full authenticity verification. Explore our catalog today and never worry again about being let down by shady companies making low-quality or inauthentic THCA.

Nov 25, 2023 David Nadel

Recent Posts