THCa Flower

Asheville's Delivery Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 12 pm—8 pm

Friday - Saturday: 1 pm—9 pm.

Sunday: 10 am—3 pm.

Via Arete.shop, you may order at any time, and schedule a delivery date and time. But the actual deliveries only happen during these hours.

The hours for customer service are the same.

TL;DR - If the city of your official mailing address is Asheville, then we deliver to your location.

Zip - Neighborhood

1. 28801 – Downtown & Central Asheville: Uptown, Five Points, East End/Valley Street, Central Business District
2. 28803 – South Asheville / Biltmore Area: Biltmore Village, South Asheville, Kenilworth, Oakley, Biltmore Park
3. 28804 – East Asheville / North Asheville: Grace, Haw Creek, East Asheville, North Asheville
4. 28805 – East / Southeast Asheville: Oteen, Beverly Hills, Tunnel Road corridor, Redwood Forest
5. 28806 – West Asheville: Historic West Asheville, West Asheville neighborhoods, Patton Avenue corridor
6. 28810 – Asheville (General / Broad Delivery Area): Covers wider Asheville city areas not explicitly in other ZIP neighborhoods

NEW! Effective June 15, 2026, the following areas / zipcodes have been added to Arete Express - Asheville's coverage:

1. Canton (West) 28716
2. Clyde (West) 28721

Effective April 6, 2026, the following areas / zipcodes have been added to Arete Express - Asheville's coverage:

1. Arden (South): 28704
2. Fletcher (South): 28732
3. Weaverville (North): 28787
4. Candler (West): 28715
5. Black Mountain (East): 28711
6. Swannanoa (East): 28778
7. Fairview (Southeast): 28730
8. Leicester (West/Northwest): 28748
9. Mills River (Southwest): 28759
10. Alexander (Northwest): 28701
11. Barnardsville (Northeast): 28709
12. Skyland (South): 28776
13. Montreat (East): 28757
14. Ridgecrest (East): 28770

Colleges & Universities

1. University of North Carolina (UNC) Asheville

THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is a non-psychoactive compound in raw cannabis. It doesn't cause a "high" unless heated through decarboxylation, which converts it to THC. THCa is valued for its potential benefits, like anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, offering therapeutic effects without intoxication.

Every THCa strain Arete sells is grown in living soil, indoors or in a greenhouse (each product page says which), and is pesticide-free. Before it goes on sale, each strain is graded on the Arete Grading System, from A (Bargain) at $59.98/oz to S Tier (Top Shelf) at $358.98/oz. Every batch is tested by an independent third-party lab, and our lab report library holds more than 770 COAs. Arete has been operating since 2018, and customers have left 77,000+ verified reviews. Every Arete Express order is delivered free in 1 hour, and orders of $100 or more earn bonus rewards: $5 at $100, $10 at $125 and $15 at $150.

Every strain we sell is graded on the Arete Grading System before it goes on sale. The grade weighs genetics, cultivation, trichome coverage, terpene profile, bag appeal and the smoke itself, not just the THCa number. Here's each grade and its standard price per ounce:

1. S Tier (Top Shelf): $358.98/oz
2. AAAA (Connoisseur Luxury): $234.98/oz
3. AAA+ (Premium Luxury): $174.98/oz
4. AAA (Standard Luxury): $149.98/oz
5. AA+ (High Everyday): $124.98/oz
6. AA (Mid Everyday): $99.00/oz
7. A+ (Value Plus): $74.98/oz
8. A (Bargain): $59.98/oz

Grades AAA and up make up our Luxury THCa flower collection, and AA+ and below make up our Budget THCa flower collection. For the full story, read The Arete Grading System.

It's the THCa content measured in that batch's third-party lab report, so it can change from batch to batch. It's the quickest read on a strain's potency, but it isn't the whole story. Terpenes shape aroma and flavor, and two strains with the same percentage can smoke very differently. That's why our grades look at much more than the number.

Every strain tile shows its type, and each product page lists the strain's genetics. For example, Bruce Banner #3 is an 80/20 sativa-dominant cross of OG Kush and Strawberry Diesel. Many customers reach for indica-leaning strains in the evening and sativa-leaning strains during the day, with hybrids in between. Browse by type: indica THCa flower, sativa THCa flower or hybrid THCa flower. For more help, see how to choose the best THCa strain.

Every batch of Arete flower is tested by an independent third-party lab before it goes on sale. The certificate of analysis (COA) is linked on each product page. To check the exact batch you received, enter the lot number from your bag's label in our lab report library, which holds more than 770 reports.

Most strains come in 3.5 g, 7 g, 14 g and 28 g (one ounce) bags. THCa Smalls are the small buds from our Luxury and Budget collections, offered at a lower price. If you'd rather not roll your own, our THCa pre-rolls are made from fresh-ground flower, never trim.

Flower ships discreetly in heat- and vacuum-sealed bags that keep it fresh and contain the smell. Orders of $100 or more ship free via USPS or UPS, and orders placed Monday through Friday before 1:00 pm ET ship the same day. We currently can't ship to California, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon or Wyoming. Orders to Alaska and Hawaii ship for a flat $20.49. Once your bag is open, here's how to keep your flower fresh.

Cannabis laws vary by state, creating confusion for those wondering if THCa products are legal. Here's the key point: under the 2018 Farm Bill, harvested hemp flower is federally legal when it contains no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. THCa doesn't count toward that limit, so high-THCa flower can still be legal hemp. Some states ban or restrict THCa, so check your state's law before ordering.

Updated October 2026: federal hemp law is changing. In November 2025, Congress redefined hemp to count total THC, including THCa, toward the 0.3% limit. That change now takes effect on December 11, 2026. Until then, the 2018 Farm Bill's Delta 9 THC test applies.

For full clarity, we’ve consulted a cannabis law expert. Their findings are detailed in the Arete Hemp Legal Opinion Letter on our Legal page. If you’re unsure about local laws, we recommend contacting a local lawyer or checking resources like the DEA’s website.

Short answer: As of October 2026, all products on the Arete website are federally legal hemp, but state and local laws may differ. Always confirm your area's regulations.

Yes and no. Technically, we are not a dispensary. Arete operates as an online retailer of hemp-derived THCa flower and related products, which means you do not need a medical prescription to purchase from us. In a way, this convenience makes Arete one of the best dispensaries, simply because we don't add unnecessary friction to your life.

Our products are compliant with federal hemp law, containing no more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis, as defined by the 2018 Farm Bill. However, state and local laws may vary, so we recommend checking your local regulations before ordering.

No, THCa won’t get you high—it’s a non-psychoactive cannabinoid. However, when heated, THCa converts to THC through decarboxylation, which does produce the typical "high" associated with cannabis. Many use THCa as a legal, non-intoxicating option, especially in states where cannabis is not yet legalized.

In summary: THCa alone doesn’t cause a "high," but heating it will.

Yes, consuming THCa could cause you to fail a drug test. While THCa itself is non-psychoactive, it converts to THC through decarboxylation, potentially increasing THC levels and triggering a positive test result. Even though Arete products comply with federal guidelines (less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC), drug tests often detect any form of THC.

In summary: THCa is legal under federal law, but it can still affect drug test results. Always consider your personal circumstances and choose products accordingly. If you're subject to testing, it’s best to avoid THCa products for 30–60 days before the test.

Five things matter most:

1. Grade: it sets the quality and the price per ounce. See "How does Arete grade THCa flower?" above.
2. THCa percentage: the tested potency of that batch.
3. Strain type: indica, sativa or hybrid, and the terpene profile you enjoy.
4. Lab report: buy only from a shop that publishes a COA for every batch, and check the one for your lot.
5. Size: from a 3.5 g eighth to a full ounce, or smalls and pre-rolls for less.

THCa and THC are closely related but differ in both chemical structure and effects. THCa (tetrahydrocannabinolic acid) is the raw, non-psychoactive form of cannabis found in live plants. It doesn't produce a high on its own. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), on the other hand, is the psychoactive compound responsible for the "high" associated with cannabis. It forms when THCa undergoes decarboxylation (usually through heat), losing its extra carboxyl group and becoming THC, which can bind to brain receptors and create intoxicating effects.

In essence, THCa is a non-psychoactive precursor to THC, and while both share similar properties, THCa offers health benefits without the high, making it ideal for therapeutic use.

There are various ways to consume THCa hemp, each offering a different experience. Some of the most popular methods include:

1. Rolled into a Joint: A classic and social way to enjoy THCa hemp with easy sharing.
2. Rolled into a Blunt: Adds extra flavor with a cigar wrap for a more robust experience.
3. Water Bong: Provides smooth, intense effects, perfect for special occasions.
4. Vaping: A discreet and lung-friendly option for on-the-go use.
5. Edibles: A tasty, low-profile way to consume THCa with longer-lasting effects.

Each method can change the effects, so choose the one that best suits your preferences and needs.

Our THCa flower guide covers each method in depth.

First, please start by checking our FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions page. If that doesn't resolve your questions, then reach out to us for help via our Contact page.