Not sure what the deal is with smoking Hemp Flowers? Well take it from me – the effects may surprise you.
As I walked around the (not-so-sunny) seaside town of Brighton, UK earlier this year, I was amazed to see how many stores were selling CBD and hemp products. Including hemp flowers sold in a ‘tea’ format. This got me wondering what happens when smoking hemp flowers.
I spoke to friends about the differences of smoking hemp flowers in comparison to regular recreational cannabis. I was met with a lot of confusion and cynicism. “What’s the point in smoking if you’re not getting a buzz?” they asked me. “Isn’t that the whole point?” I don’t think they expected me to be so impressed with the outcome.
The popularity of recreational cannabis means growers around the globe typically aim to produce cannabis strains with a high THC content. But as the worldwide demand for CBD increases, low THC, high CBD strains are soaring in popularity.
Hemp Flowers vs Regular Cannabis Flowers
Hemp and Cannabis are pretty much the cousins in the cannabis world. They are related as they belong to the same family of plants – cannabaceae. This is why the two look so similar to the naked eye. However, they produce a very different set of effects when used medicinally or recreationally.
Cannabis plants contain THC – the cannabinoid which is responsible for the high associated with recreational cannabis. On the other hand, hemp flowers contain only trace amounts of THC. Hemp growers worldwide are producing high CBD strains in order for consumers everywhere to reap the medicinal benefits of this newly popular cannabinoid.
Smoking CBD Flowers
A 2017 report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that CBD could provide relief for a variety of debilitating conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cancer and diabetic complications, as well as general pain, anxiety and depression.
As a sufferer of anxiety, I was keen to find out if CBD Flowers would offer me the same therapeutic benefits that people claim they feel after smoking them. Aside from CBD flowers looking pretty much the same as regular cannabis buds, I was surprised to find that the smell was really similar. If anything, CBD flowers have a slightly more natural and ‘grassy’ smell to them.
The reason why this is, is because hemp flowers contain a similar terpene profile to regular cannabis flowers. Terpenes are a compound found in all plants which are responsible for the aroma and taste of the plant itself. Which leads me to my next surprise discovery. Who knew that CBD Flowers taste basically the same as regular cannabis? My mind was pretty blown by this. It might seem trivial, but I assumed that without the presence of THC, the experience would be totally different on all levels. But the humble hemp Flower proved me wrong.
As for its effects, I definitely noticed a sense of relaxation and overall calm in my body following smoking CBD Flowers. The feeling is definitely more of a cerebral effect of relaxation and overall well being. One of the reasons why certain strains of conventional cannabis sometimes don’t agree with me is due to the high THC content. It can increase my anxiety even the day after smoking. Not to mention the paranoia that can sometimes accompany it. So for me, if hemp Flowers were more readily available, they would actually be my preference if I wanted to smoke.
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The Law on CBD Flowers
In the UK, CBD’s legal status is a bit of a confusing topic, to say the least. But times have changed, meaning now CBD is legal in the UK – as long as it adheres to certain conditions. CBD in the UK can only be sold “provided it has been derived from an industrial hemp strain that is EU-approved”. It also must contain less than 0.2% THC. However, it’s still forbidden to sell these flowers for smoking. UK Cannabis law reform campaigners ‘C.L.E.A.R’ outline the legal issues surrounding this on their website.
It is important to point out that these guidelines are not 100% accepted by both the companies selling hemp flowers and the law enforcement officers. Hence, the legality of smoking hemp flowers remains a gray area in the UK. As a result, unlike the situation in the US where smoking hemp flowers is legal, and sub products of hemp, such as Delta-8 THC products are sold everywhere, in the UK the market has not been developed yet, and you might be chraged for selling smokable hemp flowers.
Back to the US, since the USA’s introduction of the 2018 Farm Bill, the hemp landscape there has been revolutionised. It meant that with FDA approval, the selling of hemp flowers were finally available legally across the board. Few states, such as Indiana recently tried to ban CBD flowers within the state, but a federal judge deemed it unconstitutional because of the farm bill.
I’m not one to mess with the law, so a trip to the US gave me the perfect opportunity to see what the deal is with CBD Flowers.
Final thoughts.
With hemp Flowers, I could enjoy all the simple pleasures of smoking regular flowers, but without any of the unwanted side effects. The whole experience was virtually the same. Except for a slight difference in flavour profile and the lack of psychoactive buzz. If like me, you have a predisposition for anxiety, hemp flowers could be a great alternative to smoking. The scent and taste will ensure you won’t feel like you’re missing out and what’s more, you can even reap health benefits while you’re at it.
Just make sure, as always, that your Hemp Flowers are purchased from a reputable source and be sure to check out the laws in your country to avoid any trouble. You might want to begin with subscribing to the CBD Flowers Weekly Newsletter, offering weekly deals, in-depth articles and product reviews.
We’d love to hear what your experiences are with smoking help flowers. Share your stories in the comments below!
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