People in states where recreational marijuana isn’t legal yet are probably stuck picking up from illegal dealers. It’s inconvenient, and you never really know what you’re getting. Or, god forbid, they’re going without flower. I don’t want that for you. Thankfully, there’s THCa flower. THCa is the precursor to Delta-9 THC. Both are found naturally in cannabis plants in varying quantities. When THCa is heated, it turns into Delta-9 THC. Cultivators have taken advantage of a legal loophole created by the 2018 US Farm Bill. It made hemp federally legal, meaning any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC content. But the laws say nothing about THCa content! Growers engineered the strains we all know and love to contain less than 0.3% THC, but loaded them with THCa, which is just waiting to turn into THC. Now, people in just about every state can enjoy some fresh flower with mind-altering effects. Like with marijuana flower, THCa flower comes in a wide variety of potencies, flavors, and prices. In the end, it’s just like buying marijuana flower. It can make you just as high, it just takes a different path to get you there. I rounded up some of the best THCa flower products, including some sleek prerolls, for you to spark up. Note that the THC percentages I provide are the combined THC totals, meaning the final potency after converting the THCa into Delta-9 THC. Whether you’re looking for a balanced hybrid, a sugary strain, or something energizing, there’s a THCa flower for that. Best Sativa THCa Flower: Mood Super Lemon HazeBest Indica THCa Flower: Koi Gelato 33Best THCa Flower for Socializing: Mood Wonder BreadBest THCa Flower for Relaxing: Mood Peace PotionBest THCa Flower for Beginners: Bay Smokes GelatoBest THCa Flower for Heavy Users: Secret Nature Cherry KushBest Budget THCa Flower: Koi Ice Cream CakeTastiest THCa Flower: Mood OreozSmoothest THCa Flower: Mood Cereal MilkBest Sativa THCa Flower: Mood Super Lemon HazeCourtesy of authorI’m not usually a sativa lover, but the Super Lemon Haze THCa Flower from Mood is a worthy exception. This strain has a final THC content of 26%, making it a potent option for regular users. It’s still a hybrid, but with 80/20 sativa-dominance, it’s definitely the right strain for sativa fanatics. SLH is a lovely summertime strain, delivering a euphoric and uplifted feeling, along with a cloud of sunny haze. It’s a more energizing strain, as the best sativa THCa flower should be. Smoke it before a beach day, baseball game, or backyard BBQ for that social and cheerful energy. While it’s labeled as a strain for focusing by Mood, I found it better for doing mindless but physical activities, whether that’s hiking or sunbathing. With Super Silver Haze and Lemon Skunk as parents, you know what these nugs are gonna smell like. In case you need further explanation, here’s the headline: Skunky Lemons. The skunk takes a backseat and lets the lemon drive, creating a vibrant and nose-tingling scent that is distinctly citrus with notes of lime and pepper. If you love a punchy and bright strain, this is it.(opens in a new window)MoodSuper Lemon Haze THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at MoodBuy Now(opens in a new window)Read my full review here: THCa Flower That Brings the Citrus and SunshineBest Indica THCa Flower: Koi Gelato 33Courtesy of authorAs an indica sucker, I’m honored to recommend Koi’s Gelato 33 THCa Flower. Are there stronger indicas? Absolutely. But this flower delivers an enchanting and goofy high that reminds me why I’ll defend indicas until I green out. The final THC content is just under 23%, so it’s not even close to the most potent. However, a combination of soothing terpenes elevates the experience. The high from this is wholly cerebral, giving your mind a full-on break from stress and the responsibilities involved in this whole “adulting” thing. Instead of worrying about your utility bills or the Sunday Scaries, you’ll be thinking about more important things, like how you’d survive a zombie apocalypse or if Cheetos would taste good dipped in cream cheese. The real questions. I love this strain for some TV time, because the whole world melts away and you’re sucked into whatever’s on the screen, but not in a sad doom-scrolling way. With a name like Gelato 33, you know it’s a yummy strain. It has a medium moistness that creates a smoother smoke, delivering a sweet and lowkey flavor. You’ll notice hints of florals and citrus underneath a milky taste, mimicking a scoop of vanilla lemon gelato. Best of all is the smell. Whether raw or burning, this strain smells like a sugary snack that’s impossible to resist.(opens in a new window)KoiGelato 33 THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at KoiBuy Now(opens in a new window)Read my full review here: Gelato 33 THCa Flower: Sweet Flavor, Silly QuestionsBest THCa Flower for Socializing: Mood Wonder BreadCourtesy of authorIf you have plans to hang with peeps, Mood’s Wonder Bread Prerolls are a must-bring. The strain has a combined THC content of almost 29%, making it one of the most potent strains around. While it’s technically marked as a 50/50 hybrid, the vibes are more sativa, with an energizing and cheerful aura. Unlike the more relaxing strains, Wonder Bread is wonderful for getting ish done. You’re not going to write your college thesis while smoking it, but you can get your laundry folded or finish that book you’ve been halfway through for six months. It’s perfect for running errands or doing chores, but even better for socializing. It gives you a balanced feeling that makes chatting with a brick wall a breeze. If you tend to get nervous in large groups or are dreading a family dinner, a slice of Wonder Bread could save you. And with a unique bready, buttery flavor profile, it’s easy to crush one of the prerolls before your get-together or productive day. The taste is warm and cozy, like freshly baked bread, and has a rich but soft smoke texture. There are subtle herbal notes, but the top tastes are savory and yeasty. (opens in a new window)MoodWonder Bread THCa Prerolls(opens in a new window)Available at MoodBuy Now(opens in a new window)Read my full review here: The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread: Wonder Bread THCa PrerollsBest THCa Flower for Relaxing: Mood Peace PotionCourtesy of authorFor those times when you just want to do nothing and feel at peace, there are the Peace Potion Prerolls from Mood. They’re a 50/50 hybrid with “Top Secret” genetics, which is a little annoying. The flavor profile is like a softer version of Lilac Diesel (one of my faves), and has similar effects as strains like Lemon Sorbet #3 or Lemon Cherry Gelato. So those are some of my best guesses as to Peace Potion’s parents. With just 19% THC content, this isn’t the strongest THCa flower strain, which is part of what makes it so peaceful. It doesn’t send you to the moon; instead, it grounds you on Earth. It offers a slight body high with a tingly, floaty feeling. And the head high is calming, helping to quiet busy thoughts and push stress away. It’s not a strong, silly vibe or hungry high; it’s a simple sensation that brings you to a tranquil state. Much like the high, the flavor is easygoing. The top notes are sage and lavender with bright lemon. It’s delicately aromatic, so it doesn’t deliver a bold flavor profile. Instead, it’s a gentle taste and smell with hints of woodiness. The smoke is light and thin, making it comfortable to inhale and suitable for beginners. Overall, it’s a kind strain made for centering yourself.(opens in a new window)MoodPeace Potion THCa Prerolls(opens in a new window)Available at MoodBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best THCa Flower for Beginners: Bay Smokes GelatoCourtesy of authorIf you want something easygoing, the Bay Smokes Gelato THCa Flower (which is not the same as Gelato 33) is a lowkey option, with just 14% total THC. This is wayyy on the lower end of the THC spectrum, making it ideal for people who want a mild experience. That’s not to say you should dive in super hard if it’s your first time. I’ve smoked this out of a gravity bong and absolutely lost my mind. Shoutout to NWTN Home’s Decor Gravity Bong — it’s artsy and mind-altering. This strain leans slightly indica, so it’s not 100% guaranteed that you’ll experience the indica effects. I found that the initial high was more sativa-like, and eventually faded out into more of an indica-informed state. When I came back from the grav bong hit, I was talkative and super euphoric. Maybe even a little anxious at first, but that’s gravity bongs for you. After 20 minutes or so, the high started to mellow out into an uber-relaxed and comfortable vibe that lasted until the comedown. The flavor has a mild sweetness with citrus and floral notes. It’s not as sweet as strains like Gelato 33 or Cereal Milk, but it isn’t punchy or spicy either. It’s like a sleek citrus with a strong floral undercurrent. The smoke is also easygoing, which is a top reason this is good for beginners. Even out of a grav bong, I didn’t fall into a coughing fit. (opens in a new window)Bay SmokesGelato THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at Bay SmokesBuy Now(opens in a new window)Best THCa Flower for Heavy Users: Secret Nature Cherry KushCourtesy of authorThe Secret Nature Cherry Kush doesn’t have the highest THC content, but the heavy high and rich smoke make it best suited to regular users. The final THC potency in this hybrid is just over 25%, so it’s not a weak strain by any standard. This is your friendly reminder that the THC content is not the only factor influencing how high you get. The Cherry Kush strain is like wrapping yourself in a weighted blanket and dimming the lights. This high is mostly cerebral at first, and then makes its way down from your brain to the rest of your body, slowly immobilizing you (not actually, don’t worry). You’re not going to want to leave your couch, so this isn’t the right strain for being out and about. It’s a do-nothing-all-day kind of vibe, with a foggy and unbothered attitude.It has a flavor and scent profile that lives up to its name, reminiscent of a Black Forest cake. You get the taste and scent of dark cherries and other berries, creating a decadent flavor that matches the heavy high. This smoke is thick, which is why I don’t recommend it for beginners. However, it’s not harsh, just lush — possibly overwhelming for a newbie. (opens in a new window)Secret NatureCherry Kush THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at Secret NatureBuy Now(opens in a new window)Read my full review here: Cherry Kush THCa Flower Is Your New Favorite Excuse to Cancel PlansBest Budget THCa Flower: Koi Ice Cream CakeCourtesy of authorIf you’re trying to stick to a weed budget, you need a budget flower. The Koi Ice Cream Cake THCa Flower is it. It’s one of Koi’s Silver Tier strains and can cost half or even a third of what some of the other best THCa flower strains cost. But you’re not missing out on a stellar high or a delicious taste. Ice Cream Cake is an indica with nearly 25% THC combined content, so it’s a potent strain that won’t break the bank. The high from this is relaxing, and also comes with a heaping side of munchies. Get those snacks ready. It doesn’t just make you want to eat, but makes everything taste like it was dropped from heaven. True to its indica roots (it’s a child of Gelato 33), the strain can make you sleepy, especially if it’s already close to your bedtime. You get a buzzy body high along with a cozy brain fog that helps you tune out the world. In the flavor department, Ice Cream Cake takes after its parents, Gelato 33 and Wedding Cake. The taste is creamy and sugary, with smooth smoke that’s gentle on your throat and lungs. It has a rich and buttery flavor compared to Gelato 33, but also notes of pepper that set it apart from both its parents. While it’s a fabulous budget pick, it still delivers deliciousness and potency. (opens in a new window)KoiIce Cream Cake THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at KoiBuy Now(opens in a new window)Tastiest THCa Flower: Mood OreozCourtesy of authorPicking the tastiest flower isn’t easy. I appreciate a range of profiles, from diesels to ice cream. But the Mood Oreoz THCa Flower is a clear standout for me, offering a familiar s’mores flavor that is unforgettable and addictive. It has a THC potency of about 21%, making it a middle-of-the-road strain that can work for beginners, intermediates, and “advanced” users. It leans 70/30 indica, which is interesting since both its parents are hybrids.The high is mellow and melty, like a toasted marshmallow on a graham cracker. You get a balance of head and body high that lets your muscles relax and surrounds your brain in a comfortable haze. The feeling is generally warm and fuzzy, keeping you in a content, carefree state. It’s hard to feel stressed with this strain. I was also hit with some mild munchies, so maybe you can actually make s’mores while smoking this.Now for Oreoz’s best feature: the flavor profile. Strains don’t always exude the scents and flavors they’re supposed to, but Oreoz captures the taste of campfire s’mores to a tee. You get notes of vanilla and spice, along with hints of chocolate and smoky herbs. The taste is toasty and sweet, delivered via a rich smoke that’s soft but robust. (opens in a new window)MoodOreoz THCa Flower(opens in a new window)Available at MoodBuy Now(opens in a new window)Read my full review here: This THCa Flower Is Like S’moking S’moresSmoothest THCa Flower: Mood Cereal MilkCourtesy of authorMood’s Cereal Milk Prerolls are one of my new favorites. I’ve had Cereal Milk flower before, but Mood’s prerolls contain one of the silkiest and yummiest cultivations of this strain I’ve tried. The hybrid’s THC percentage is sky-high, with about 29% potency. It’s not for the weak and is one of the strongest THCa strains I’ve tested.Despite its intimidating potency, I think it’s suitable for people who aren’t heavy users. The high from this bowl of milk is giggly and soothing, with an effervescent body high and a serene cerebral vibe. It’s a lovely bedtime strain, but it can also be a chill daytime toke if you want to have a peaceful Saturday. You can enjoy both physical and mental comfort, sinking into a sweet state of warm bliss. For people who cannot stand harsh or heavy smoke, this is the ultimate smooth strain. The smoke is like silk in your mouth. You might even face the whole j. The actual taste falls right in line with the Cereal Milk name, offering notes of toasted grain, vanilla, and sugar. It captures the sweet creaminess of milk speckled with Lucky Charms dust — a nostalgic and effortless smoking experience. Read my full review here: Cereal Milk THCa Prerolls That Hit Like Saturday Morning Cartoons(opens in a new window)MoodCereal Milk THCa Prerolls(opens in a new window)Available at MoodBuy Now(opens in a new window)The post Get High With the Best THCa Flower, No Dispensary Needed appeared first on VICE.