Flame and plant combined to make smoke, taken in through the lungs has long been a favorite way to access the effects of cannabis. As more people explore the benefits of cannabinoids, trading THC for cannabidiol (CBD) or cannabigerol (CBG), it follows that some would want to smoke hemp flower too.
Like THC-rich cannabis flowers, hemp flowers come from female cannabis plants. But hemp flowers come from hemp plants, which are bred for low THC content. The terms “hemp flower,” and “CBD flower” are used somewhat interchangeably today. However, that could change as options evolve and the industry matures.
Here are five reasons people choose to smoke hemp flower.
1. Relaxation
People use CBD to relax, so smoking it is just one way to experience the benefits. With smokable CBD flower, people generally report an uplifted, euphoric feeling in their body and minimal impacts on their mind. Depending on the strain, they may even feel greater focus and sociability, making it a feasible option for daytime use.
Nothing But Hemp customers report smoking CBD flower to:
• relieve stress
• reduce pain
• feel less anxiety
The CBD smoking experience is different from person to person, and from product to product. Some people report feeling a body-based euphoria in their body only the first or second time they smoke CBD flower. Others describe it as a subtle, more naturally relaxed feeling of wellbeing. Some strains are more relaxing and calming (think bedtime) while others are better for focus and social activity.
2. They Don’t Want Cannabis with THC
If you’re looking for a mind-altering experience, CBD flower is not the place to get it. But for those seeking relaxation and relief from anxiety without the psychoactive effects, CBD flower may be just the thing. Although THC-rich cannabis and low-THC cannabis are not actually different species, they are used in different ways. (Cannabis with delta-9 THC levels under 0.3% is what we call hemp, and is federally legal under the 2018 Farm Bill.)
3. The Entourage Effect
The flower typically contains the plant’s highest concentrations of cannabinoids including cannabidiol, or CBD. Unlike many isolated extracts, the whole flower also contains phytocannabinoids, flavonoids and terpenes. These work together to creates an “entourage effect” in which the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.
4. It’s Fast Acting
As with cannabis rich THC, smoking CBD flower is probably the fastest way to experience the benefits, because your body doesn’t have to break down and digest the CBD flower.
While habitual smoking has been shown to have adverse long-term health effects, a fast-acting delivery system has some benefits. Chief among those is helping to ensure people get the desired dose. They can start with a small amount and slowly increase, feeling the effects quickly and gauging as they go.
5. They Don’t Want Cigarettes
For some, CBD or hemp flowers are a substitute for cigarettes, and may even help them reduce reliance on tobacco. For those trying to quit smoking or cut back, the endocannabinoid system may play a role in taming nicotine addiction. Researchers who conducted a small-scale pilot study said preliminary data “suggest that CBD may be effective in reducing cigarette use in tobacco smokers.” They added that more research was needed before drawing any conclusions.
In closing, there are several reasons people choose to smoke hemp flower. If you’re new to the practice:
- Start with a small amount.
- Increase the dose slowly until you feel the desired effect.
• Consider talking to a health practitioner before using hemp flower routinely, especially if you use other medications.
