What Is Hemp Flower – Everything You Need to Know About CBD Buds

There are a number of cultures around the world that have used cannabis for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. For a long time, we have known that cannabis can have an effect on the human body but it is only recently that we have begun to finally understand its effects and how they happen.

Scientists have discovered that some of the compounds which are present in the cannabis plant can affect the endocannabinoid system in the body, and two of those compounds are CBD – or cannabidiol, and THC – tetrahydrocannabinol.

The endocannabinoid system consists of cannabinoid receptors (mainly CB1 and CB2 receptors) and endocannabinoids – or cannabinoids which are made naturally by the body. When they bind, they can help to regulate a number of functions to the human body.

Although both compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, they interact with different parts of it in different ways. Whereas THC interacts mainly with the CB1 receptors which can help to regulate mood, appetite, pain perception and the immune system, CBD interacts mainly with the CB2 receptors which can help to regulate the organs, bone, skin, central nervous system and the cardiovascular system.

It is the effects of THC which gives people the high feeling when they take cannabis, and therefore CBD won’t make you high – and this is why it is legal in the US, the UK and Europe.

There are a number of ways that you can take CBD, including CBD oil, edibles, capsules, and topicals, but one that is rising in popularity at the moment is CBD buds.

What are Hemp CBD Buds?

Hemp CBD buds – or hemp flowers – are made by the female hemp plant. Hemp is legal in the UK and contains higher levels of CBD and lower levels of THC – unlike marijuana. Buds are usually smoked, vaped or used in food.
Hemp is a variety of cannabis that has been specially cultivated to have levels of THC of less than 0.2% in the UK. Cultivators have also made efforts to create hemp with higher levels of CBD to make it more effective.

The legal definition of hemp requires it to have a maximum of 0 .2% THC, and this means that there is no chance that you will get high, and that the plant can be used to safely and legally produce products which are rich in CBD.

What are the Differences Between Hemp Flower and Marijuana Buds?

In this context, the terms ‘flower’ and ‘bud’ are interchangeable. The main difference between hemp and marijuana buds or flowers is that the hemp buds will have a maximum level of THC of 0.2% in the UK. This means that they are legal to buy and consume.

Hemp and marijuana often get mixed up. They are both members of the cannabis family but are different in the fact that marijuana will normally have high levels of THC and therefore get you high if you consume it.
Both hemp and marijuana buds or flowers look the same, with the difference being the compounds that are present, and both can be consumed in the same way.

 

Can you Smoke Hemp Flowers?

Smoking is one of the most common delivery methods for hemp flowers. They can be smoked in the same way as ‘traditional’ marijuana is smoked. Most people will roll it themselves although CBD hemp cigarettes are available from some producers.
Hemp flowers are often smoked in a ‘roll-up’ which doesn’t necessarily require tobacco to be added – in fact, it is not recommended that you mix it with tobacco on account of the health risks which are associated with it. Smoking hemp flowers is a lot better for you than smoking conventional cigarettes.

There are also a number of CBD producers who sell, in addition to hemp flowers on their own, pre-rolled cigarettes for those who don’t want to roll them themselves.

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Hemp Flower vs CBD Oil

One of the most common ways to take CBD is in the form of CBD oil. It can be taken under the tongue and absorbed relatively quickly into the bloodstream or put into food and digested. Flowers can be smoked, vaped or also added to food.
CBD oil is cannabidiol which has been extracted from raw hemp and then added to a carrier oil to help it to get absorbed easily into the body. You can take it under the tongue where it takes around 15 mins to become effective or added to food where it can take up to about two hours.

Hemp flowers, on the other hand, will usually be smoked in a roll-up or added to food. When it is smoked its effect is almost instantaneous, whereas when it is ingested, it goes through the digestive system and, as with CBD oil, can take around two hours to become effective.

What are the Benefits of Smoking Hemp Flower?

There are a number of benefits to smoking hemp flower. The CBD in hemp interacts with the endocannabinoid system, helping to regulate certain aspects of your body. By smoking the flower, the CBD will get to work almost immediately.

CBD mainly interacts with the CB2 receptors in your body, meaning that it can affect certain aspects to the body, such as:

• Reducing anxiety
• Reducing inflammation
• Helping with acne
• Improving heart health
• Can be neuroprotective

If you smoke hemp flower, the CBD enters into the lungs and then passes through the lungs into the bloodstream where it comes into effect quickly. It will, however, only last for a few minutes. Some people, therefore, prefer to take CBD through capsules or edibles as a base and then top it up with smoking when they need it.

Some people have also used smoking hemp flowers to help them to give up smoking tobacco products.

Can Smoking Hemp Flowers Help with Anxiety?

Anxiety is a common and ever-increasing problem in our society and medics believe that one of the things that affect our anxiety is serotonin levels in the brain. Many people believe that CBD can help them with their anxiety as it can help to regulate their serotonin levels.

Research by the University of São Paulo in 2011 shows that CBD is anxiolytic – or anxiety-reducing, principally for people who are suffering from General Social Anxiety Disorder.

Whilst CBD still hasn’t been approved as an official medicine for anxiety there are plenty of people who regularly use it to help themselves. Smoking hemp flowers is a good way to get CBD into your bloodstream quickly but doesn’t have the negative psychological effects which are related to high amounts of THC.

How Does It Feel to Smoke CBD Buds?

Other than the fact that hemp CBD flowers don’t have the high levels of THC (and therefore won’t make you high), smoking hemp buds is a very similar experience to smoking high THC cannabis. It’s look and aroma are the same as they both contain the same cannabinoids, flavonoids, and terpenes – just in different concentrations.

If you are going to smoke CBD buds you can expect the same smell and taste as high THC cannabis, a slightly more relaxed feeling, but not the high.

There are over 100 cannabinoids in the plant, in differing concentrations depending on the strain, and this, along with the terpenes and flavonoids which are also present, makes up the flavour and aroma of the hemp that you are smoking.
For this reason, although different strains can all taste and smell slightly different, they will all have that characteristic cannabis flavour and aroma.

Can You Eat CBD Flower?

CBD flower can be eaten in the same way as you can eat high THC marijuana. It can be easily broken up and added to all types of food – from baked goods to soups, to sauces. It won’t, however, have any effect if you add it raw to food, and needs a little preparation.

When you eat CBD flowers it goes through your digestive system and into your bloodstream in the same way as the nutrients for other food that you have eaten. This means that it can take a couple of hours to work but will stay in your system for up to eight hours.

For the CBD to work it needs to be activated through heat – in a process called decarboxylation. This is why it is effective when it is smoked – as burning it activates the CBD. Therefore. before you start cooking with it you should effectively ‘bake’ it for about 45 minutes.

You can find out more about how to decarboxylate your hemp here.

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What Is the Shelf Life of Hemp Buds?

As with most things in life, hemp is better off consumed when it is fresh. However, if it is stored in the right way, most hemp buds can last for up to two years. This requires the hemp being stored in the right kind of container, at the right temperature, and away from direct sunlight.

By ensuring that you are keeping your hemp buds in the right condition you can make sure that its shelf life is as long as possible, without losing its potency or ability to be effectively used. You should keep your CBD buds in a glass container that can be properly sealed and avoid plastic bags at all costs.

You should also protect your hemp buds from extremes in temperatures – between 25°C and 30°C, out of direct sunlight and UV rays (exposure to sunlight is said to be the factor that makes the buds degrade the quickest). You should also try to keep it in balanced humidity – between 59% and 63%.

You should also not pack your glass jar tightly, giving it space and don’t keep it in the fridge or freezer as it can get freezer burn and this could make it less effective.

Will CBD Buds Make Your Eyes Red?

One of the traditional tell-tale signs that someone has been smoking cannabis is the red eyes. But if you are smoking hemp CBD buds you can rest assured that they won’t make your eyes red – this is a result if THC which is only present in tiny amounts in hemp.

When THC is taken it reacts mainly with the CB1 receptors. These are particularly concentrated in the eye area and this is why often smoking marijuana with a high concentration of THC will give you the characteristic red eyes.

As CBD buds will have only a trace or no THC, you can be sure that you won’t get red eyes from smoking it – unless you have a sensitivity to smoke. This means that you won’t get strange looks from people, or assumptions made about you having smoked illegal drugs.

Is CBD Flower Legal in the UK?

Due to the fact that hemp and cannabis are often confused amongst people who haven’t researched it, you could be forgiven for thinking that CBD flower is illegal in the UK. This is actually a bit of a grey area and one that isn’t absolutely clear in British law.

British law stipulates that hemp must have a THC level of under 0.2%. So, you could be forgiven for thinking that as long as this rule is met, then it is completely legal. However, the law also says that it is only the stalks and seeds (which are used for fibre and food) that are covered by this law, and the rest of the cannabis plant is illegal still.

The law also says, however, that products which have been ‘derived from’ industrial hemp can be exempt from the Misuse of Drugs Act if they have been ‘processed’ and contain less than 1mg of THC or CBN.

It is important, however, to remember that CBD flowers look, taste and smell like high THC marijuana, and this means that it can be easily mistaken for illegal marijuana.

How can the Police tell the Difference between CBD and high THC Flowers?

One of the biggest challenges which face those who smoke CBD flowers – and the law – is in telling the difference between hemp CBD flowers, and those which have high levels of THC and are absolutely illegal. This can be a significant challenge and one that everybody should be aware of.

CBD hemp flowers and high THC flowers look and smell the same. This presents a problem for people who are tasked with ensuring that drug laws are followed. It also means that if you are found smoking CBD hemp flowers there is a chance that it is mistaken for illegal, high THC marijuana.

The only way at the moment that you can prove that you are not consuming high levels of THC is through providing detailed lab test certificates which give a detailed breakdown of the exact composition of the plant that you are smoking.

Can I Sell CBD Buds Legally?

The issue of the legality of CBD buds also applies to the selling of them. Despite this, we are seeing massive growth in the popularity of CBD buds and more and more people who are selling them. It is important if you are thinking about selling them, that you are able to back up what you are selling with certificates of analysis.

The Cannabis Trades Association works with all aspects of the cannabis industry in the UK, and they appreciate how difficult it can be to prove that what you are selling is legitimate hemp and not high THC marijuana.

If you are planning on selling CBD buds, therefore, it is important that you take as many steps as you can to prove exactly what is in your product to reduce the chance of you having problems with the law.

Where to get the Best CBD Flowers

If you are looking to buy CBD flowers it is important that you buy them from a reliable and trustworthy source. As discussed above, you must be able to prove that you have hemp CBD buds with legal levels of THC. Although there might be plenty of places that are selling them, make sure that you get your buds from the right place.

When you get your CBD flowers you should make sure that you are getting what you think you are. The only way to do this is by buying them from a trusted source who can back up their claims with a certificate of analysis.

Industrial Hemp Farms (IHF) are one of the world’s best CBD flower vendors. They provide a wide range of high-quality CBD hemp, with a certificate of analysis that gives you a detailed breakdown of all of its components. They also offer a satisfaction guarantee and can ship their goods on the same day.

Where to get Wholesale Hemp Flowers

If you are planning on selling hemp flowers it is even more important that you know what you are buying. Whilst it is important that you are able to make a profit, you should also ensure that you are buying good quality hemp from a reliable source.

If you are looking to buy wholesale hemp flowers to sell, you need to make sure that you are buying legitimate hemp that you can prove is legal. Industrial Hemp Farms (IHF) also supply wholesale hemp flowers, meaning that you can buy good quality hemp in large quantities.

They also provide certificates of analysis, are compliant and licensed, and work within the US hemp laws. It is important to remember, however, that for hemp to be legal in the USA, THC levels must be less than 0.3% – slightly more than in the UK. You should bear this in mind if you are planning on buying it to bring into the UK.

Where to get the Best Top Shelf Hemp Flowers

When it comes to getting the best quality hemp flowers you should look no further than Secret Nature. They pride themselves in supplying the highest quality, organic CBD hemp flowers and their aim is to create the best CBD experience for each and every one of their customers.

Secret Nature sells top-quality CBD flowers, cultivated with love and expertise, and are able to give you precise details about the exact composition of all of their products. The hemp products are inside grown and full spectrum (or whole plant) – meaning that they include all of the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids, and therefore making the CBD hemp as effective as possible.

You should again, be aware that Secret Nature’s hemp is cultivated and processed in the USA, meaning that the legal definition of hemp is less than 0.3% THC, whereas in the UK it is 0.2%.

Are Hemp Flowers Legal in Texas?

Different states in the USA have different rules with regard to the buying and selling of hemp products. Texas is one where hemp farming is now legal, but the state rules have deemed that selling hemp flowers is illegal. You are, however, allowed to smoke them.

Texas – the US’s second largest state, allows hemp to be farmed and made into CBD products. However, they have strict regulations attached to these rules and the production of hemp, and one of them is that hemp CBD flowers are not allowed to be sold.

If you have hemp flowers for your own consumption, you are within the law, but you cannot sell it legally in Texas. At the moment, if you want to smoke CBD hemp flowers your best option is to buy them online.

There is a worry, however, that in Texas there is not adequate testing equipment available to the Police, meaning that they have no way of checking whether cannabis is legal CBD hemp or illegal high THC marijuana.

There are a number of reasons why smoking hemp CBD flowers are for you. Not only is CBD good for your general health and well-being, but smoking CBD hemp can also be useful to those who are trying to give up smoking tobacco cigarettes.

Smoking CBD flowers is very similar to smoking high THC marijuana but without the high and different varieties are available, with different tastes and smells.

It is important that if you are thinking about smoking CBD hemp flowers, you are careful about where you buy them from and ensuring that you have got what you think you have. The best ways to do this are by buying from a reputable vendor and requesting a third-party certificate of analysis.

Smoking CBD hemp can be an enjoyable experience that is legal as long as you’re sensible. So, if you are looking for the health benefits of CBD, why not give them a go?

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