While the use of the cannabis plant is well documented throughout history, many new exciting forms of consumption have recently emerged. Read along to find out which methods bring the most out of CBD hemp flower.
What is the hemp flower?
Hemp flower or hemp buds are flowering tops of the hemp (cannabis l. Sativa) plant. The flowers are where most of the cannabis resin is concentrated. The cannabis resin is rich many in cannabinoids such as CBD, CBG, and THC. Industrial hemp varieties are almost deprived of the cannabinoid THC, which causes many undesirable side effects. But on the other hand, CBD and CBG are found in abundance in the legal cannabis plants.
There are also other secondary metabolites found in the cannabis resin glands. Terpenes, flavonoids, and hundreds of other substances are biosynthesized by the cannabis plant. Several of these compounds are in quantities large enough to have an effect when we consume hemp flowers. So the goal is to find resinous hemp flowers with a chemical profile that suits us best. And to find our favorite way to consume them!
How to use CBD & CBG hemp flowers
There is a myriad of ways to use hemp flowers, but it is impossible to select the single best choice. One method can deliver stronger effects but lacks flavor. Some can be simple and practical but are not suited for social settings. Anyhow, with so many possibilities there is something for everyone! Let’s start with the basic ones.
Smoking hemp flowers
Smoking cannabis is probably the most common practice used worldwide. While this technique is not the healthiest one, it gets the job done quickly and effectively. Most commonly, the dried hemp flowers are rolled into joints (cigarettes) or smoked in pipe or bong. Some argue that plenty of cannabinoids are lost in the smoking process because of the high heat.
Smoking hemp, albeit being a harsher experience, can provide the strongest effects almost immediately. This method will appeal to those who want to use CBD and CBG flowers as an alternative to tobacco or THC cannabis. If you are fond of smoking hemp, you should check out the Smokenol Team who is studying the cannabis effects when it is smoked.
Vaporizing hemp flowers
Vaporising CBD flowers is the ultimate alternative to smoking. It has the same rapid onset of effects, without inhaling smoke fumes – just the harmless vapor. Another big advantage of vaporizing compared to smoking is flavor. Instead of a burnt smoky taste, we can experience all the terpenes found in the hemp flowers.
Those who vape usually consume less hemp flower to get desired effects. It is because vaporization is much more efficient in the delivery of the active compounds. The downside is that smokers need time to get used to vaping. Some never switch to the healthier alternative since they miss the fire and smoke or the ritual. But with so many different devices on the market of herbal vaporizers, they should at least give them a try.
Hemp Extraction
Oral consumption of hemp flowers
Eating cannabis is most likely the oldest form of consumption. Ingesting raw cannabis was never really popular since the plant doesn’t taste particularly well. It is also not very efficient in terms of effect, since raw cannabis contains cannabinoids in acid forms (CBDa, CBGa, THCa). To make cannabis orally effective we have to decarboxylate raw plant matter or resin. This is done by heat processing.
Another thing to consider is that cannabinoids are not water-soluble. Cannabinoids love binding to any form of fat though. This means we can add cannabis to any fat-rich dish. Or simply first infuse hemp flower into oil, butter, or fat of choice and then incorporate it into recipes. Cannabinoids are also soluble in alcohol, so we can easily make cannabis liquors or tinctures.
Hemp teas – herbal infusions
This method is not everyone’s cup of tea, since infusing hemp flowers in boiling water won’t extract many active ingredients. There are still many tea aficionados who brew hemp teas because of their flavor. To make hemp infusions stronger we can add milk or alcohol, for example, rum. This way the cannabinoids will transfer into the brew and our system more competently.
Blending hemp with other herbs brings new dimensions to our cup. Together with green tea, CBG flowers can become a natural energy drink. Combined with chamomile and lavender, the CBD flower tea works wonders for relaxation.
Extraction of hemp flower
At this point, full-spectrum hemp extracts are prohibited throughout the European Union. It is because the THC limit in hemp products is 0.3%. Even hemp flower struggles to stay below 0.3% THC. Meaning that extracting hemp flowers and concentrating the cannabinoid profile will always exceed the 0.3% THC limit.
Since it is not possible to legally purchase concentrated full-spectrum hemp extracts, it is possible to craft them for personal use from hemp flowers. The easiest way is to simply infuse CBD or CBG flowers into edible oil, such as olive oil. This makes CBD drops at a fraction of the retail price found in stores.
Another option is to make concentrated cannabis resin. For DIY extractions, the easiest and safest are rosin and quick ethanol wash (QWET) extraction. For rosin, we need a rosin press which starts at around 500€, and some parchment paper. And QWET is even cheaper since only a mason jar, high-proof ethanol (95°), and coffee filter papers are needed. For both methods, you also require quality hemp biomass, easily purchased through our website. And you are just a step away from your artisan-grade CBD extract.
Other uses of hemp flower
We’ve gone through the most popular ones, but haven’t nearly covered all of them. Hemp flowers can be used as a garnish for food and cocktails. We can produce several produce cosmetic products. Some use it as an insect repellent. We firmly believe have just scratched the surface of Hemp, which is a plant of thousand uses.
Head over to our store and search for the hemp flower you think suits you best. Try the methods above and perhaps by experimenting you will discover a new revolutionary method of using hemp flowers!
