The beating heart of the cannabis plant has always been the bud. And, as a member of the cannabis family, Hemp is no different. Hemp Flower, Cbd Flower, or hemp bud (as it is sometimes referred to) is the most prized part of the entire plant—for good reason.

As a beginner to the world of CBD and smokable hemp, it is good to get a feel for CBD flower, how it differs from marijuana, and why this carefully harvested flower is rapidly becoming a highly sought after consumer product. Here’s a guide from Timbr Organics to get you started.

Diving In: What is CBD Flower?

In short, CBD flower is the harvested “bud” of a hemp plant. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that has much lower concentrations of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), typically less than 0.3% by volume. Hemp tends to have much higher concentrations of CBD.

Most people are no strangers to THC; it is the cannabinoid most associated with “high” or “euphoric” effects. CBD, on the other hand, is a cannabinoid mostly touted for its proposed therapeutic benefits and does not get you high.

Clarification: How does CBD flower differ from CBD oil? What are the advantages of CBD flower vs CBD oil?

Hemp flower is rapidly growing as a preferred product over CBD oil, and it’s worth noting the differences. On the most basic level, CBD flower is a pure plant product, while CBD oil is created by extracting cannabinoids and constituents from the hemp and immersing them in a carrier oil.

The CBD oil vs flower debate is not likely to end anytime soon. In truth, both have their own advantages. The CBD flower benefits are relatively easy to point out, however:

• Flower is in a more natural form
• Flower is more diverse; it can be used in numerous ways (smoked, used to make edibles, etc.)
• Flower offers a product more familiar to consumers

The benefits of smoking CBD flower instead of ingesting CBD oil exist as well. Mainly, smoking CBD tends to mean the onset of effects is experienced more quickly because the CBD enters the circulatory system faster.

The Effects: How does Using CBD flower make you feel?

CBD flower, whether smoked or consumed, is not likely to produce euphoric or psychoactive effects like you would expect from consuming something high in THC. Nevertheless, you may feel some changes in how you feel.

The flower is full of a long list of cannabinoids like CBD and trace amounts of THC, flavonoids, and terpenes like Geraniol and Pinene. The full collaboration of all of these constituents delivers what is referred to as the “entourage effect,” which is all constituents working together in different ways. The outcome of this can be different for everyone.

All people have an endocannabinoid system that processes the constituents in different ways. Plus, the exact composition of the flower due to the strain can alter CBD flower effects. One person may feel more relaxed, another may feel focused, and yet another may find themselves feeling energized and ready for the day.

The Facts: What does CBD flower do for the body and mind?

You could build a full guide covering all of the ways people are using CBD, regardless of form, in efforts to help with a long list of ailments. Unfortunately, the legalities surrounding the cannabis family of plants (including hemp) prevented a lot of formal studies for many years. Therefore, much of what we know about the benefits of smoking hemp flower or consuming CBD flower is just starting to become available. Thus far, CBD has been looked at in research and studies as a potential option to help people with pain and inflammation, anxiety, problems with sleep, and various other medical conditions.

The Big Question: Is CBD or hemp flower actually good for you?

Just as there may be benefits of CBD, there may also be benefits of smoking hemp flower or consuming hemp flower. As far as the CBD flower effects, most people report a positive experience. CBD is not an addictive substance, and unlike THC, it is most likely not going to generate problems with things like memory or brain fog.

Of course, how you use the flower has a big role to play in CBD flower benefits and potential downfalls. For example, if you are predisposed to respiratory issues because you have asthma, it may not be the best choice to smoke the flower. Instead, you may want to consider alternative consumption methods like making your own version of hemp butter with the flower and incorporating it into a yummy edible.

The side effects of CBD are generally mild and relatively uncommon. In fact, the World Health Organization believes that CBD has a “good safety profile.” Some people may experience things like dry mouth or fatigue, and other unpleasant side effects like nausea or vomiting are possible albeit rare. As a side note, if you currently have underlying health issues or take medication, it is a good idea to discuss trying CBD flower with your doctor.

The How-To: How do you use CBD flower?

Basically, CBD-rich hemp flower is a raw, unprocessed plant source. The beauty of this is the product is pretty much wide-open when it comes to ways to use it:

• Try smoking it: Grind the flower and drop it in a pipe or bong, or, try hemp pre-rolls that are already ready to smoke
• Try creating your own homemade remedies, such as CBD topicals, DIY hemp oils, and hemp CBD flower salves
• Try cooking up DIY edibles: Hemp flower can be incorporated into recipes to create some delicious concoctions

The Big Concerns: Is CBD flower legal to have and use and what about drug tests?

Thanks to the Farm Bill passed in 2018, hemp (which is defined as cannabis with less than 0.3% THC) and CBD are no longer controlled substances. Therefore, hemp can be cultivated, sold, purchased, and used as a consumer product legally on a federal level, in all 50 states, as long as it meets the less than 0.3% THC criteria.

By contrast, marijuana is only legal in certain states for either recreational or medicinal purposes, such as California, Colorado, and Nevada to name a few. According to the Department of Drug Enforcement regulations, anything with more than 0.3% THC is automatically classified as marijuana. So, you do need to know the specifics of the laws in your state and make sure you are buying CBD flower that coincides with local laws.

As far as drug tests go, it is not likely that smoking hemp will mean a failed drug test, but it is a possibility. THC is present in trace amounts in hemp flower, which may mean you could experience a positive drug test as the test is looking for the THC metabolite known as THC-COOH. However, most drug tests will need higher concentrations of THC-COOH to produce a positive result because there is a pre-determined cut-off level.

Stick with high-quality products that offer lab testing results so you know exactly what you’re getting and how much. Keep in mind that using large amounts of CBD products with trace amounts of THC in them could possibly yield a positive result. And, testing positive may be more likely if you use hemp CBD flower in combination with other types of cannabis products.

Getting Started with CBD Flower

All in all, the CBD flower benefits are pretty obvious. You get a diverse plant product with a familiar appearance and a number of ways to try it out. If you’re ready for a new world of possibilities, check out Timbr Organics. Our lab-tested, high-quality hemp flower products are curated with the customer in mind. Our raw hemp flower is available in strains like Hawaiian Haze, Jack Herer, and Fire OG to give you plenty to explore no matter what experience you want.

This article is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice or consultation from a certified doctor or health professional. Before trying CBD or hemp flower products, it is strongly advised to conduct your own research and consult with a licensed doctor. While the World Health Organization considers cannabidiol to be “generally well tolerated with a good safely profile,” more research is needed to properly evaluate the safety and efficacy of CBD for general use.

TIMBR Organics products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Thank you so much for reading our latest article. We hope that it helped to provide valuable insights about the wonders of CBD flower! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share your thoughts with us in the discussion section below.