CBD Hemp Flower vs. Weed Flower
The rise of homegrown hemp consumption in American households has sparked the need to clarify CBD hemp flowers and weed flowers. Many consumers are wary about using high-THC products because it may induce feelings of anxiety and paranoia.
However, manufacturers have created a solution for this by infusing their THC products with equal CBD levels.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is another cannabinoid from cannabis. Unlike THC, CBD provides no psychoactive effects and may even counteract THC. A healthy balance of a CBD: THC ratio may be the solution you’re looking for.
Although some states allow households to grow, harvest, and use specified amounts of cannabidiol in the confines of their homes, there’s still a chunk of state legislations that limit the percentage of THC concentration in the best hemp products or CBD hemp flowers.
Knowing the differences between CBD hemp flower and weed flower would help people decide what type of cannabis flower is permissible by their state law.
This guide is a saving grace for many who are afraid of getting in trouble due to growing CBD hemp flowers. Also, it would help you avoid getting high when you only intend to exploit the healing benefits of the hemp plant. Get to know what you consume.
CBD Hemp Flower Overview
The CBD hemp flower is a popular term for legal and medical varieties of the cannabis plant. Scientifically, hemp is not a recognized subsidiary of the cannabis plant.
You can scientifically divide the cannabis plant into three species: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis. The term hemp rose in popularity due to the need to differentiate between intoxicating and non-intoxicating varieties of cannabis.
The 2018 Farm Bill defines the Hemp plant as a legal substance, given that it does not contain more than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The states where households are allowed to grow CBD hemp flowers include; Colorado, California, Oregon, and Washington.
In these states, one of the factors restricting most people from growing the cannabis plant is the uncertainty surrounding the percentage of CBD and THC per plant.
However, the same law that legalized the use of CBD hemp flowers with restrictions also banned the use of marijuana.
CBD Hemp Flower Effects
Due to the negligible amounts of THC in the hemp plant and the counteractive effect of CBD on THC, it cannot make you high when you ingest it. The non-intoxicating effect of CBD hemp flower is part of the reasons the United States government decriminalized its use.
Many associates the hemp plant with more positive effects in the medical community. It is touted as an antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, and anti-tumoral. In addition, CBD is non-psychoactive and non-protective.
Taking a good dose of cannabidiol mixed with some THC can provide the perfect balance of its calming effects without inducing any feelings of anxiety or paranoia.
The use of the hemp plant is not limited to medicine. People use it to produce food materials, textiles, paper, ropes, oil paints, lotions, and shampoos.
Since CBD makes up a good percentage of the hemp plant, users expect to reap all the effects of its wellness benefits.
What are Weed Flowers?
Unlike hemp flowers, weed flowers have more than 0.3% THC. Consumers use it for recreational purposes in a few states, where marijuana is a legal substance. In most states, the 2018 Farm Bill clearly forbids the usage, cultivation, and industrial production of marijuana or weed flowers because of its intoxicating effects.
Weed flowers and marijuana flowers are pretty much the same. The only between the two is that the term marijuana (pronounced marihuana) has links to racism.
The 1920s saw the rise of anti-Mexican movements that campaigned against the influx of refugees and falsely described them as drug addicts.
CBD Hemp Flower vs. Weed Flower: Differences Explained
Medically, hemp-derived CBD is not different from the CBD extracted from weed flowers. In fact, the amount of CBD in weed flowers is also higher than the THC present.
However, it is illegal to use CBD from weed flowers.
According to federal law, all derivatives of marijuana are illegal, including the harmless CBD contents in it. Below are the differences between CBD hemp flower and CBD weed flower.
Structure
Oftentimes, CBD hemp flowers and weed flowers are indistinguishable. As a matter of fact, many people have been falsely arrested for the possession of marijuana, even though their cannabis buds/flowers are purely from the hemp plant.
These days, law enforcement has better ways of differentiating the two because judging based on the visual can be misleading.
The best way to detect the nature of a cannabis flower is to check the plant. Without the plant, differentiating between CBD hemp flower and CBD weed flower is such a Herculean task.
Broad leaves and tight buds characterize the marijuana plant. The buds of a marijuana plant resemble hairy lumps or nuggets with crystals. Conversely, the hemp leaves looked skinnier and crowded at the top.
The marijuana plant resembles a dwarf plump bush from a distant viewpoint, while the hemp plant looks tall and skinny. It takes consistent exposure to the two plants to develop a unique way of differentiating hemp from marijuana.
Cultivation Techniques
Hemp and marijuana grow under different surrounding conditions. Hence, farmers grow and cultivate them separately.
Hemp plants grow in proximity to one another, and they can survive in diverse climatic conditions. Hemp plants can mature in three to four months. Most times, it’s industrially grown on huge acres of land since it’s used in medical, clothing, and building industries.
Marijuana grows well in a regulated, warm, and humid environment. Its growth cycle is relatively shorter. Marijuana plants mature in two to three months. Unlike hemp, a marijuana plant is planted six feet away from the next plant.
Moreover, both plants are never grown together. Hemp pollen grains can destroy marijuana plants by altering their psychoactivity.
THC Content
On average, weed flowers contain up to 20% THC, while some weed flowers have been genetically altered to produce THC concentration in the range of 25% to 30%.
On the other hand, hemp flowers contain less than 0.3% THC whilst having high CBD content.
Best CBD Hemp Flowers
If you’ve decided to get CBD hemp flowers and CBD products from dispensaries, this section tells you what to check while making a purchase. Below are the things to note before getting CBD hemp flowers.
THC level
We mentioned earlier that any cannabis flower that contains a dry-weight THC concentration beyond 0.3% is not classified as legalized hemp. Ensure you ask for CBD hemp flowers specifically, not just cannabis flowers.
Brand Reputation
Not all hemp companies sell CBD-rich hemp flowers. Many of these companies focus on refined and extracted forms of hemp, such as CBD oil, gummies, shampoos, and many more.
Check the brand’s rating on Amazon, forums, or any other rating platform. It’s necessary to browse for what their customers are saying about them. The best way is to consult friends and colleagues who may have purchased CBD flowers in the past.
Only buy lab-tested CBD strains and buds.
Cultivation Techniques
Though no company would paint itself black on its websites, you can get hints from their landing pages. No credible hemp company creates a website without dedicating a page for their cultivation and processing techniques.
Ensure the producer did not apply pesticides or herbicides.
Trial
You can test different brands before finally settling for one brand. In addition, some brands may not be able to deliver CBD hemp flowers to your state due to the state regulations guiding the substance.
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CBD Flower Strains
These CBD flower strains come from hemp. They contain a higher percentage of cannabidiol compared to the ones derived from marijuana plants.
CBD flower strains have to meet the FDA guidelines. They can contain only up to 0.3% THC content.
CBD Flower Strain Types
There are over 15 types of CBD flower strains, but we will review two tested and trusted types of CBD flower strains in this guide.
CBD Flower – Skywalker OG
Looking for kush-like CBD flower strains to calm your nerves, Skywalker OG is the best option for you. Skywalker OG is a product of the cross-breeding of two CBD hemp flower strains, namely Skywalker and OG.
This CBD strain is defined as citrusy, fruity, and piney. The physical properties of its buds are dense and sticky.
Skywalker OG contains around 20.94% CBD and 0.13% THC. The Oregon-derived CBD flower strains are naturally cultivated and follow the guidelines stipulated in the Federal Farm Bill.
Users can find terpenes such as alpha-terpineol, gamma-terpineol, ocimene isomer 2, alpha-bisabolol, alpha-cedrene, alpha-pinene, alpha-humulene, beta-myrcene, and limonene in Skywalker OG.
CBD Flower – Lifter
Lifter and Skywalker serve the same purpose. Both hemp strains give you a sense of calmness and increase your focal energy. Nevertheless, they are different in many ways. The percentage of CBD in Lifter is lower, and the THC level is higher. It has a THC of 0.3% and CBD of 18%.
The lifter is a product of Early Resin bud and Suver Haze. It is popular for its lemon zest and piney fresh redwood aroma. Some describe it as sweet and shout.
Lifter CBD flower strains have light green buds with a slight combination of brown color.
How Does Smoking CBD Make You Feel
Unlike THC, CBD flower strains don’t get you high. The psychoactive effect is what makes people high. CBD also possesses some anti-psychoactive effects on THC.
However, people who are anxious or depressed experience a feeling of relief after smoking CBD flower strains. Smoking CBD catalyzes its impact on the ECS of the user. You may also use CBD flower strains to manage inflammation, pain, and sleeplessness potentially.
THC vs. CBD
We have over 122 identified cannabinoid compounds. Cannabinoid compounds are compounds that originate from hemp. The two major components of the hemp plant are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The varying percentage of THC and CBD in hemp plants is one of the major factors of classifying hemp strains such as Skywalker OG and Lifter.
THC is the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive. Moreover, CBD can even counteract the effects of THC.
Marijuana plants have more THC compared to hemp plants. Some well-bred hemp plants have below 0.3% THC per strand.
Why Should I Smoke CBD?
Users can take cannabidiol in oil, water, edibles, or blunts. Smoking CBD makes its impact faster compared to other modes of administration.
Smoking CBD won’t get you high, but you may opt-in for other forms of CBD products if you are allergic to smoking. Oil tinctures, shampoos, lotions, and infused chocolates are great alternatives.
Benefits of CBD Hemp Flower
If you’re still wondering whether or not smoking CBD buds is worth it, here are some benefits you can reap from trying it out.
Non-Intoxicating
CBD buds from industrial hemp naturally contain lower concentrations of THC. The trace amounts of THC are not enough to induce a high in users, as most contain less than 0.3% THC content.
Its CBD levels, however, can be very potent. This allows consumers to benefit from the cannabidiol content from these buds. No matter how much you smoke, hemp-derived CBD buds should not induce any intoxicating effects.
Medical Properties
The popularity of CBD hemp flowers – and cannabidiol as a whole – is due to its reported medicinal properties. Experts continue to conduct clinical trials in a bid to understand this cannabis compound further.
So far, studies show the promising effects of CBD on the following:
- Pain and swelling
- Anxiety and depression
- Endocannabinoid deficiency
- Insomnia
- Other ailments
Of course, every person reacts to cannabinoids differently. Consumers should consult a licensed doctor before smoking or ingesting CBD buds.
Federally Legal
In the United States, hemp derivatives are federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill. Products with less than 0.3% THC should cause no legal repercussions.
However, users should note that state laws are still in play, especially when it comes to CBD hemp flowers. Most states allow the usage of the classic oil tincture products but may have restrictions against raw hemp buds.
Check your state laws whether or not smoking CBD buds are legal in your state.
High Bioavailability
When users smoke, vape, or inhale hemp buds, the body absorbs most compounds, leaving little to waste. Its bioavailability can reach as high as 50%.
If users take CBD through edibles, most of the cannabinoids can’t affect the body because the digestive process destroys them. Methods where consumers breathe in the buds, then preserve most of the cannabinoids.
A higher bioavailability also means you can get a potent kick of CBD with little dosage.
Does CBD Flower Strain Really Matter?
Yes, it does. In fact, to medical practitioners, CBD flower strain matters the most. Because of its different CBD and THC concentrations, the specific hemp strain may affect how you experience its effects.
Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to approve of over-the-counter (OTC) hemp products and flower strains.
Users are meant to take them as supplements, not medication. Consult a doctor before trying out any hemp flower strains.
Is CBD Hemp Flower Legal?
The answer depends on the state. Generally, medical marijuana is legal in the US according to Farm Law. The history of the legalization of medical marijuana is different from state to state.
For instance, Arizona has had several propositions calling for legalizing the drug substance since 1996, but most attempts were futile. Such propositions include Proposition 200 (in 1996), Proposition 203 (in 2010), and many more.
Most of these propositions were either adopted or discarded according to the number of votes of the people of Arizona or parliament. However, the people can nullify a bill that’s been already passed through a popular vote.
Some states require a medical prescription to use CBD flower strains, while others allow their citizens to farm and cultivate for personal use. As of 2020, only 11 states have legalized marijuana, while 39 states recognize CBD as a medical substance.
On the other hand, the usage of CBD is legal according to the 2018 Farm Bill. Despite that, state laws are still at play when it comes to the possession and consumption of hemp-based products.
As such, you may need the recommendation of a medical practitioner to use CBD flower strains in your state.
Disclaimer: Is CBD Legal?
Hemp-derived CBD products (with less than 0.3 percent THC) are legal on the federal level. The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and products have not been FDA approved. You must be at least 21 years old to purchase these products. Talk to your physician or medical doctor for additional information.
Published July 14, 2020; Updated August 24, 2020.
