Wholesale THCA Buyer’s Guide

Everything wholesale buyers need to source, evaluate, and scale THCA flower: supplier vetting, COA verification, potency tiers, pricing mechanics, logistics, and compliance checkpoints.

Wholesale THCA Flower Hub · How to Read a THCA COA · Shipping & Packaging · Is THCA Legal in the USA?

Who This Guide Is For

  • Dispensaries and multi-store retailers building reliable flower supply.
  • Pre-roll and infused-product brands seeking consistent inputs.
  • Extractors balancing potency, yield-per-dollar, and compliance.
  • Distributors and brokers standardizing quality across lots and seasons.

Quick Sourcing Checklist

  1. Define targets: grow type (indoor/greenhouse/outdoor), format (cola/smalls/mids/trim), potency, terpene profile, MOQ, and budget.
  2. Vet suppliers: references, repeatability across harvests, sample COAs, fulfillment capacity.
  3. Verify COAs: dry-weight basis, Total THC formula, contaminants, lab accreditation, uncertainty. See COA guide.
  4. Pilot lots: evaluate appearance, aroma, grindability, moisture/water activity, and consumer feedback.
  5. Lock logistics: discreet packaging, insurance, timelines, and state compliance. See Shipping & Packaging.

How to Vet a Wholesale Supplier

  • Track record: ask for 2–3 recent buyer references and repeat-purchase data.
  • Documentation: request batch-matched COAs with methods, LOD/LOQ, uncertainty, and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation scope.
  • Consistency: compare two harvests of the same strain for potency and terpene variability.
  • Capacity & SLAs: fulfillment speed, split shipments, palletization, and claim resolution process.
  • Transparency: willingness to share cultivation method, cure parameters, and storage practices.

Reference standards and accreditation: ISO/IEC 17025 · AOAC CASP · NIST CannaQAP

COAs & Potency: What Matters

  • Total THC formula: Total THC = (THCA × 0.877) + Δ9 THC.
  • Dry-weight basis: moisture removed; check water activity (aw ≈ 0.55–0.65 for dried flower).
  • Safety panels: pesticides, heavy metals, microbials, and residual solvents when applicable.
  • Lab credibility: accreditation current; method details included; measurement uncertainty shown.

Deep dive: How to Read a THCA COA

Regulatory/technical references: USDA Lab Testing Guidelines · USP <467> Residual Solvents

Potency Tiers & Merchandising

  • Value: 15–20% THCA — budget jars, pre-rolls, and extraction inputs.
  • Core: 20–25% THCA — broad-market potency for everyday retail.
  • Top Shelf: 25–30%+ THCA — premium price points and connoisseur demand.

Complement potency with terpene storytelling and clear labeling (strain, THCA %, dominant terpenes, COA QR).

Explore related pages: Cheap THCA Flower · High-Potency THCA Flower · Exotic THCA Flower

Pricing, Margins & Contracts

  • Unit economics: compare yield-per-dollar (extractors) and margin-per-gram (retailers), not just $/lb.
  • Volume breaks: negotiate stepped pricing (e.g., 1–4 lb, 5–10 lb, 10+ lb) and contract rates post-harvest.
  • Quality deltas: smalls/mids vs colas affect price without sacrificing potency.
  • Holdbacks: consider a small payment holdback until intake QC is passed.

Market data resources: Headset Industry Reports · MJBizDaily

Logistics & Shipping

  • Packaging: vacuum-sealed, odor-barrier bags, plain outer boxes.
  • Documentation: batch-matched COAs, labels, optional chain-of-custody.
  • Insurance: standard coverage with option to extend for high-value lots.
  • Freight: palletization for multi-case orders; confirm delivery windows to avoid weekend holds.

See full details: Wholesale Shipping & Packaging

Carrier claims references: UPS Claims · FedEx Claims

Risk Management & QC on Intake

  • Visual & aroma: check for mold, off-odors, or excessive stems/seeds.
  • Moisture & aw: test water activity (target ≈ 0.55–0.65) to reduce microbial risk.
  • Random sampling: retain retains; spot-test potency if results seem anomalous.
  • Documentation: archive COAs with shipment photos and scale tickets.
  • Claims: document issues within 24–48 hours; contact account rep and carrier with photos.

Buyer RFP / Quote Template (Copy & Paste)

Subject: Wholesale THCA Flower RFQ – [Your Business], [City, State]

Targets:
• Grow Type: [Indoor / Greenhouse / Outdoor]
• Format: [Colas / Smalls / Mids / Trim]
• Potency: [e.g., 22–28% THCA]
• Terpenes: [e.g., limonene-forward], if available
• Quantity & MOQ: [e.g., 5–10 lb recurring]
• Delivery Window: [e.g., Net 7 days from PO]
• Documentation: Batch-matched COAs (dry-weight, total THC), safety panels, ISO 17025
• Packaging: Vacuum-sealed, odor barrier, plain outer box
• Shipping: Insured, tracked; include freight quote
• Payment & Terms: [e.g., ACH / wire], [Net terms if applicable]

Please confirm availability, price breaks by weight, COA samples, and lead time.

Next Steps

Align your specs, request quotes, and secure a pilot lot you can evaluate with your team and customers.

Browse Wholesale Strains · Request a Quote

FAQs

What’s the best format for pre-rolls?

Smalls/mids and clean sugar trim balance cost and potency. See Smalls & Mids and THCA Trim.

How do I reduce potency inflation risk?

Use ISO 17025 labs, check uncertainty, and spot-test pilots. Prefer suppliers active in interlab programs (e.g., NIST CannaQAP).

What MOQs should I expect?

Common MOQs: 1–5 lb for pilots, 5–20 lb for restocks, higher for contracted supply. Ask for weight-tiered pricing.

Can I ship nationwide?

Shipments must comply with the destination state’s rules. Include COAs and discreet packaging. See Shipping & Packaging and Legality hub.

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