What is Cannabis Flower?

This refers to the flowering part of the cannabis plant that can either be male or female. Female flowers usually produce THC and other cannabinoids in higher amounts than the other parts of the plant. The female cannabis flowers are fertilized by the male plants to produce cannabis seeds. If left unfertilized, the female flowers continue to produce the resin that contains active cannabinoids until their point of harvest.

Cannabis is a flowering plant that, regardless of the variety, reproduces through pollination. This process can be defined as the transfer of pollen between plants, and involves the participation of a number of players. On the one hand, the flower, which produces nutrients that attract pollinating insects and, on the other hand, the pollinating insects – wasps, bees, butterflies, etc. – which feed off the nectar and other parts of the plant, initiating the pollination process.

The legs of the insects get covered in pollen as they feed, and when they change flower to continue the feast, this is transferred from one plant to another in what is called cross-pollination. Airborne and waterborne pollen can also lead to pollination.

Without a doubt, cannabis claims the title as one of the most beautiful plants on Earth—from its glittering trichomes and signature leaves to its complex root system. Many growers frequent their grow rooms just to stand in awe at what grows before them.

Although the flowers get most of the attention—and rightly so—every part of this complex species has a critical and interesting function. As a cultivator, it helps to familiarise yourself with the anatomy of the cannabis plant. In doing so, you’ll develop an eye for what your plant requires, what it needs less of, and when to harvest.

Explore our in-depth guide below to see the cannabis plant like never before.

What are the Functions of This Part of Cannabis?

• Function. Cannabis flowers are the reproductive organs of female plants. They possess a structure that, when fertilised by pollen, begins to form seeds.
• Location. Cannabis flowers form at the nodes of stems and branches.
• Differentiation between males, females, and hermaphrodites. Of course, not all plants are female. Male plants don’t produce flowers. Instead, they churn out pollen sacs that split open and disperse pollen into the air. When this substance lands on female flowers, they’ll become fertilised and begin to form seeds. Although cannabis has distinct male and female plants, sometimes specimens can possess both male and female reproductive organs. This can happen due to environmental stress or genetics. These plants are known as hermaphrodites.

What is CBD Flower?

CBD flower is cannabis bud that helps people relax without feeling out-of-their-mind high. In fact, if you do feel out-of-your-mind high from a high THC product, you can even use CBD to bring you back down to equilibrium. Today’s indica and sativa strains contain as much as 25 percent THC, much higher than mom and dad’s schwag from the 60s. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is just one of many cannabinoids found in the cannabis plant and CBD also makes up a sizable portion. Some cannabis growers have opted to cultivate for cannabidiol (CBD) for a therapeutic and non-psychoactive experience. While CBD flower does contain low levels of psychoactive THC, the high levels of CBD regulate the effects of THC.

The Entourage Effect

While many cannabis consumers may choose to opt for CBD-only products like CBD oil, CBD-rich flower can have better effects because of the synergy that occurs between THC and CBD. When smoking or vaping the entire cannabis flower, you get a wide breadth of therapeutic cannabinoids and fragrant terpenes that work together to influence each other’s actions. CBD, for instance, can enhance THC’s pain relieving and epilepsy reducing properties. CBD also encourages THC to stay longer in the system, helpful for people with chronic conditions.

Medicinal Value of High CBD and Low THC Flower

High CBD and low THC flower can alleviate chronic pain, inflammation, seizures, and anxiety. Specifically, CBD flower can help reduce symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis pain, Dravet’s Syndrome, and some anxiety disorders. When smoked or vaped, CBD flower can deliver immediate effects for acute symptoms. Since consuming CBD flower requires inhalation, it may not be the best consumption method for people with respiratory problems, children or the elderly.

Determining Dose of CBD Flower

Everyone’s ideal dose of CBD flower is different. Every strain will affect everyone differently. Since strains have differing ratios of CBD to THC, consumers can try out many to determine what works best for them. Some people may be more sensitive to THC than others. They need a CBD flower with a high ratio of CBD to THC for less of a high. Start off by consuming low doses of high CBD cannabis flower. A low dose can be one to two inhalations from joint, vaporizer or water pipe. While it isn’t an exact science, the slower you go, the better you can determine your tolerance for THC and CBD.

Buying cannabis flower solely based on a high THC is (and should be) an outdated approach to cannabis consumption. If you’re buying liquor, do you always opt for white lightning given its high alcohol percentage? Cannabis consumers are growing wise to the unique effects of high-CBD flower, which can enhance the overall experience. CBD-rich flower boasts robust relaxing effects that can benefit users that rely on indica strains for its mellowing effects. Strains including Charlotte’s Web, Sour Tsunami, and AC/DC (to name a few) aren’t psychoactive, but offer a potent pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and anxiety-reducing effects due to the high amounts of CBD in the flower.

Hemp and Cannabis, What’s the Difference?

Before diving into more detail on hemp flower, it’s important to understand what separates the hemp and cannabis plants. As mentioned above, they are basically cousins within the same species. An easy way to understand this is to look at a Pug and a St. Bernard. Both are the same species capable of interbreeding despite wildly different appearances, and both are probably good dogs who deserve a treat along with some belly scratches. In the same vein, the appearances of hemp and cannabis plants are easy to distinguish. The hemp plant grows skinnier and taller than its cousin marijuana, reaching around 12 feet tall. Hemp is also a hardier plant, easy to grow outdoors with minimal effort. So easy, it’s what gave the plant its name “weed” in the first place. The cannabis plant is similarly easy to grow, but requires careful cultivation to produce quality, potent buds.

Hemp has been known for years to be an “every part of the buffalo” plant. The seeds are a healthy source of protein and essential amino acids that can be eaten whole or ground into hemp milk. The leaves can be juiced, the fibrous stalk can be turned into clothing, rope, paper, and even construction material. The oil from pressed seeds can be used for cooking, soapmaking, or biodiesel fuel. Finally, of course, there’s the CBD, which is what most people are after. Hemp plants contain a much higher concentration of CBD while cannabis plants tend to be higher in THC.

What’s the Deal with Hemp Flower?

There are many different types of CBD products on the market today. However, many companies that sell CBD may not be selling a “full spectrum” product – meaning a formulation that includes compounds from the whole hemp plant and not just isolated CBD. There is evidence that consuming hemp flower straight from the plant, or using a “whole plant” CBD product, can boost overall effect and improve the cannabinoid’s beneficial aspects.

This is due to the residual THC, terpenes, and other cannabinoids that have an entourage effect in getting the CBD molecule to the endocannabinoid receptors. Much like if you’re heading out to a party, it’s a lot easier to have friends along to help navigate you there and make it more fun. So if you’re looking to try consuming hemp flower for its CBD effect, the question becomes: What is the best method to consume?

Best Ways to Consume Hemp Flower

Because CBD, like THC, is fat soluble, infusing hemp flowers in oil or butter is a great method if you’re looking to digest your CBD. It will also provide a longer-term effect, since the molecule is broken down slower over 30 feet of the digestive tract rather than entering the bloodstream immediately during inhalation. However, ingesting CBD also means that it has to travel through the liver, which breaks down the cannabinoid before it enters the bloodstream, reducing its effectiveness substantially.

There is also the issue of dosing. As anyone who’s ever tried homemade THC edibles knows, the potency can vary greatly from serving to serving – making it important to ensure your infusions re always properly homogenized. The same goes for CBD, which is why you should always start with a small serving, wait for a while, then see how you feel. As the common dispensary saying goes “You can always take more, you can never take less.”

If you are looking to experience CBD’s holistic effects throughout your body in the shortest amount of time, smoking hemp flower is your best bet.

Smoking hemp flower in a joint or a bowl is a great way to get CBD into your bloodstream as fast as possible, but it has its drawbacks. While the natural, anti-inflammatory effects of both cannabis and hemp are not nearly as harmful as tobacco, no doctor will tell you that inhaling any kind of burning material is 100% great for your lungs or body.

Thus, the best, most efficient, and healthiest way to consume hemp flower is by using a dry herb vape. The consumer receives all the entourage effects of the buds CBD, cannabinoids, and terpenes along with but without the harshness of inhaling burnt carbon. The CBD goes straight into the bloodstream through the lungs without having to make a stopover at the liver, which means you experience a quicker onset for effects. It’s also easier to control the dosage since you can measure the grams you’re putting into the vape.

So, if you’ve ever been curious about consuming hemp flower, you have plenty of options. However, for maximum effect, a dry herb vape is probably your best bet. Now, if anyone asks what the difference is between hemp and cannabis flower, you can answer something besides “There’s a difference?” Happy consuming!