The Importance of Cannabidiol in CBD
From more traditional oils and tinctures to trendy waxes and edibles, there are dozens of ways people are experimenting with CBD nowadays. Interestingly, one of the latest fads in the CBD industry is smoking premium hemp flower. In addition to getting a CBD fix, hemp smokers claim to experience the effects of different terpenes, flavonoids, and secondary cannabinoids.
Interested in learning more about CBD and premium hemp products? If so, then this is the article for you! Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know to become a sophisticated CBD connoisseur.
CBD v. THC
Before moving any further, it’s important to draw a distinction between CBD and another cannabinoid called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). CBD is non-psychoactive, which means it won’t get “high” after ingesting it. THC, on the other hand, is the most potent psychoactive compound in marijuana.
Under federal law, hemp is classified as having a THC content of no more than 0.3 percent. Even if your hemp has 0.3 percent THC, however, you’re unlikely to feel the “trippy” effects commonly associated with weed.
Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis
Unfortunately, as hemp increases in popularity, so do popular misconceptions. It’s worthwhile briefly pointing out the differences between cannabis, hemp, and marijuana so you won’t be confused in your CBD quest.
Both hemp and marijuana are variants of the cannabis genus. Although there are quite a few differences between these two plants, the only one consumers need to worry about is THC content. As mentioned above, hemp naturally has a low THC (less than 0.3 percent) and a high CBD count. Marijuana, on the other hand, is often bred to maximize its THC percentage.
Why Do People Use CBD?
The obvious reason someone would use CBD hemp is to take advantage of the plant’s unique properties without the adverse effects of THC. Since these strains won’t leave you in a daze, they are perfect for use any time you want…even on workdays! Anecdotally, users describe feeling more relaxed, clear-headed, and content after using CBD.
Another reason people are drawn to smoke CBD hemp flowers is that they are federally legal. Although there are legal distinctions between states, smoking hemp is more widely accepted than recreational marijuana. Smoking hemp gives users a similar experience to smoking marijuana without the same legal ramifications.
Growing CBD Hemp
As demand for CBD intensifies, it makes sense that more people are getting interested in cultivating their own CBD hemp plants. Indeed, many farmers who once focused on tobacco are transitioning into the lucrative hemp industry. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when growing high CBD hemp.
The first thing all new hemp farmers need to know is that this plant comes (or rather, ends up), in three sexes: male, female, and hermaphrodite. Farmers interested in producing bulk industrial hemp usually don’t concern themselves with sexing plants. If you’re making CBD hemp for consumption, however, it’s imperative you only use feminized seeds or clones.
When not pollinated, female hemp plants divert all of their energy from producing new seeds to producing huge trichomes on their buds. These white trichomes are filled with all the cannabinoids and terpenes users are after, especially CBD.
Just because you have feminized seeds, however, doesn’t mean your plant can’t grow pollen sacs. If no notice both hair-like strands and pollen buds on your plant’s stems, then you have a hermaphrodite on your hands. The main reason plants “herm out” is due to stress, so always keep tabs on your soil quality, hydration, temperature, and ventilation.
A nice feature about hemp is that it’s quite sturdy and adaptable to different weather circumstances. That being said, these plants can’t survive in brutally cold winters and will produce the best results in warm, sunny conditions.
While not always the case, people who grow high CBD hemp outdoors tend to start with feminized seeds while indoor growers use clones. Seeds often produce a higher yield compared with clones, but they offer less predictability.
How To Use CBD
There’s no standardized method for taking CBD. Indeed, thanks to the boom in the hemp industry, customers have way too many CBD ingestion options available to them. Let’s go over a few pros and cons of the most popular ways to consume CBD.
For those interested in the purity of their CBD, look no further than isolate products. As the name suggests, CBD isolate is CBD isolated from all other hemp compounds. Often CBD isolate is sold as a white powder, but it could also be found in crystal or slab forms.
In addition to its purity, CBD isolate products are highly valued for being odorless and tasteless. This means you could easily hide your CBD isolate in edibles or sneak it into your morning cup of Joe. CBD isolate crystals and CBD isolate slabs, on the other hand, are best for people interested in CBD dabbing.
Another popular way to ingest CBD is by using tinctures. On the pro side, these liquid tinctures have a high absorption rate when taken under the tongue (aka sublingual ingestion). Some customers, however, can’t get over the grassy taste these tinctures often have. Also, oftentimes these tinctures could have significant traces of harsh solvents.
As mentioned in the intro, a novel way people are getting their CBD is by smoking hemp. Considering the many strains of hemp now available, it’s very easy for smokers to customize their experience depending on their desired effects and flavors. Unfortunately, this isn’t the best option for people with pre-existing lung conditions.