CBD Flower: Everything You Need to Know

Written by Cathy Rozyczko — Edited by Jason Brett on September 27, 2021

The hemp plant produces flowers just like its THC-toting cousin marijuana. Typically, this flower is processed and cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted. Recently though, the CBD market has seen a growing call for hemp flower with high concentrations of this emerging cannabinoid.

For cannabis enthusiasts, few things compare to the ritual of smoking cannabis flower, and it seems that enjoyment is taking hold of a wider audience. For people who are looking for the flavor, benefits, and process of smoking cannabis without the intoxication often associated with consuming marijuana, CBD hemp flower may offer the ideal solution.

What Is Cannabidiol Flower or CBD Hemp Flower?

CBD hemp flowers are the flower of the industrial hemp plant. They contain many naturally occurring cannabinoids that interact with your body’s endocannabinoid system to produce a wide range of mood-related and physical benefits.

Fans of this delivery method point to the fact that CBD hemp flower does not have to go through the same rigorous extraction process as CBD oil. Cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, goes through an extraction process which destroys the cannabis plant’s natural waxes, which some brands and users argue contain additional health benefits.

CBD flower, on the other hand is simply harvested and dried before being packaged for selling. Because of this, CBD flower contains a much greater number of hemp’s naturally occurring cannabinoids and waxes compared to any other CBD delivery format.

CBD Flower and THC

Because they are naturally low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD hemp flower is unlikely to make you feel ‘high’. In fact, legally grown, federally regulated industrial hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC; this is the legal threshold established by the 2018 Farm Bill and is what many state laws have used when building their regulations.

With that in mind, before you purchase CBD flower, make sure your product of choice complies with the cannabis laws in your state. There are still some states that prohibit the purchase and sale of products containing any amount of THC.

What Are the Benefits of CBD Flower?

Cannabidiol flower is believed to have many of the same benefits and uses as CBD oil. Users and scientific research alike have reported back the positive effects of CBD, including its:

• Use as a powerful anti-inflammatory
• Anti-anxiety effects
• Neuroprotective properties, which are being explored for their effectiveness in managing conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS)

When it comes to comparing CBD hemp flower to other cannabidiol delivery methods, smoking the flower provides an excellent way to consume a broader range of cannabinoids and take advantage of a phenomenon known as the entourage effect.

The entourage effect is the process by which all of the phytocannabinoids, terpenes, fatty acids, and vitamin/mineral compounds that exist in the whole hemp plant work together to produce the strongest benefits. Basically, these compounds are effective on their own, but are most effective when working together and simultaneously.

How to Use CBD Hemp Flower

Before you do anything, speak to your doctor about using CBD hemp flower. While CBD is considered safe and well-tolerated, there are mild side effects and drug interactions that can occur.

CBD hemp flower is typically smoked on its own or inhaled through a dry vape system. If smoking the flower without the help of a vape, you can use a glass pipe or roll the flower in wrapping papers, similar to rolling and smoking a cigarette.

Smoking CBD flower gives an advantage over some other CBD products in that the effects come on immediately, and it’s easy to take a little more if needed. Inhaling CBD means it does not have to pass through the digestive system; it’s absorbed into the blood directly through the lungs without much delay.

Another way people use CBD hemp flower is in baking or cooking. CBD, like it’s mind-altering cousin THC, is fat soluble. This means it’s easy to create a CBD flower-infused butter or oil the same way you would create a regular cannabis butter. If you choose to consume your CBD flower by way of a butter or oil, keep in mind it will take longer for you to feel the effects because the cannabidiol must pass through your digestive system.

Unfortunately managing consistent dosing with CBD flower can be difficult, regardless of whether you smoke it or convert it for cooking. CBD hemp flower does not come with a specific recommended dose, nor is its CBD content broken down by inhale.

An inhale will differ from person to person so the amount of CBD you get from a puff might be different than the amount someone else gets. And when it comes to using the flower in edibles, it’s nearly impossible to know how much is actually contained in each treat.

So, CBD hemp flower will require some trial and error when it comes to dosing. This method of consumption may be better suited if you’ve used CBD before, just so you know what to expect with higher and lower doses. For further dosage guidance, you can speak to a cannabis doctor who specializes in using natural supplements like CBD to treat medical conditions.

What Are the Best CBD Hemp Flowers?

For people who enjoy the ritual, benefits, and flavor profiles associated with smoking cannabis, switching to a high-CBD strain can be beneficial.

Some of the most popular high-CBD flower strains are:

• Harlequin
• Charlotte’s Web
• AC/DC
• Sour Space Candy

All strains have a different THC and CBD level, and, given that all people react differently, you should try a few different strains to determine which works best for you. Begin by using just small amounts, maybe just one or two inhalations to start.

Many CBD flower producers are developing strains with a high CBD concentration and a THC concentration below 0.3% to comply with the federal rules established by the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). As CBD flower continues to gain traction in the cannabis market, it will be exciting to see which strains emerge in the months and years ahead.

Before you purchase flower from a local dispensary or online shop, make sure it meets the legal requirements of your state.

Once you’ve verified it’s legal for you to buy, look for CBD hemp flower derived from an organic source. If possible, check to see if there are up-to-date Certificates of Analysis available so you can understand the exact cannabinoid breakdown and genetic history of the plant. By checking these sources, you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you need; because CBD and THC content can vary from strain to strain, it’s important to do your research.

If you are interested in learning more about CBD, CBD oil, and the ways you could benefit, check out:

• CBD Gummies 101
• Beginner’s Guide to CBD Oil: How to Take CBD
• Is CBD a Schedule 1 Drug?
• How to Talk to Your Doctor About CBD Oil
• Can CBD Oil Get You High?

Learn More About CBD