THC-A, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is a non-intoxicating cannabinoid present in raw and live cannabis plants. As the plant undergoes drying, THC-A gradually transforms into THC, the primary psychoactive component responsible for the "high" sensation associated with cannabis. Nevertheless, this transformation can be accelerated through the application of heat, a process known as decarboxylation. When cannabis is smoked or vaporized, the heat triggers an instantaneous conversion of THC-A into THC.