CBD flower exists in a regulatory grey area across Europe, but for many people it is their preferred method of cannabinoid consumption, whether vaporised or steeped in water and drank as tea.
CBD has kind of outdone every other cannabinoid in the cannabis plant, in terms of dominating the consumer market. But, while it’s great, it’s far from the only molecule that should be lauded, or indeed utilised.
While CBD is infused in pyjamas and enriching your coffee, we’ve forgotten all the little guys – the minor cannabinoids, like CBG, and CBC. The precursor acids, like CBDa and CBGa. And, equally importantly, terpenes and flavonoids.
While it is possible to get ‘whole plant’ and ‘full spectrum’ oils, many people find that the plant itself, unprocessed, is how they like to consume their daily hemp.
With this in mind, it’s worth considering that CBD oil might not be the most effective form of cannabinoid product for you. To get the whole array, just as nature intended, you could try CBD tea, or CBD flower.
Is CBD flower legal?
Despite hemp containing naturally very low, legal levels of THC, companies who sell CBD flower are in tricky territory. Adhering to Home Office regulation, hemp can be grown in the UK with an appropriate licence. However, this only gives permission to harvest the stalk, fibre, leaves and seeds from the plan. The flowers (which are most abundant in cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids) from plants grown in the UK are supposed to be destroyed before any products are made using the plant matter.
Even so, many UK companies do sell hemp flower (also known as CBD flower, as CBD is the most abundant cannabinoid in hemp; not THC), but they can only do so if the product meets the criteria of an “exempted product by definition of regulation 2 of the MDR 2001”.
(a) the preparation or other product is not designed for administration of the controlled drug to a human being or animal;
(b) the controlled drug in any component part is packaged in such a form, or in combination with other active or inert substances in such a manner, that it cannot be recovered by readily applicable means or in a yield which constitutes a risk to health
(c) no one component part of the product or preparation contains more than one milligram of the controlled drug.
As a result of this, you may see guidance on website selling hemp flower stating these points. However, once purchased most people are likely to steep the hemp and drink up all those lovely cannabidiolic acids (steeping hemp in boiling water does not convert the acids into cannabinoids) 0r smoke or vaporise the plant matter (which would turn those acids into cannabinoids).
READ MORE: France overturns ban on CBD flower – what you need to know
What are the effects of CBD flower?
When drinking as a tea (ideally steeping for at least 15 minutes), you’ll reap the benefits of cannabidiolic acids. One stand-out acid is CBDa, which has been shown to be 1,000 times more effective at combating nausea and anxiety than CBD, via its interaction with serotonin receptors. CBDa has also been shown to inhibit COX-2 – an enzyme expressed by inflammatory cells, usually after an infection or injury.
Overexpression of the COX-2 enzyme is known to play a key role in the progression of endometriosis and pharmaceutical COX-2 inhibitors (like NSAIDs) are commonly used to target inflammation, pain and conditions such as arthritis and back pain.
If you choose to smoke or vaporise your hemp, you’ll decarboxylate those acids in the process, converting them into cannabinoids like CBD. There will be little to no THC present, so the effect will be different to inhaling high THC cannabis.
You won’t get that same euphoric high associated with THC use, and you won’t feel intoxicated. But you are likely to notice elevated mood, relaxation and possibly even increased energy, depending on the strain.
Here’s a few CBD flower brands I would recommend:
‘Amnesia’ CBD flower. Photo credit: Hemp Elf
Hemp Elf
As good as any bud you’ll find on the regulated or black market! Just without the THC. This organic CBD flower is just beautiful, excellently trimmed, aromatic, sticky and flavoursome. They have a huge range to choose from, which means you can pick a product to suit your preference. Sweet Peach makes a lovely daytime choice, giving you bright, sparkly energy with happy vibes. Also definitely give their limited drops a whirl.
Mixed hemp flower. Photo credit: Hemp Hash
Rochanna/Hemp Hash
Excellent quality CBD flower (or ‘hemp tea’) at amazing, affordable prices. Lush in a vape or as a tea, whichever you prefer. A wide range means there’s something for everyone, including CBD hash for those that would like to try something different. Your CBD treats are sent to you in a lovely tin too, so you can keep the product fresh and hold that strong scent at bay (because this stuff is terpene-rich!)
Photo credit: Peace & Grow
Peace & Grow
Brought to you all the way from Oregon, UK cannabis artist and co-founder of Women of Weed, @ninibee_ you can choose between small but mighty pre-rolls of pre-ground CBD and CBG blends. Boasting strains like Diesel Honeysuckle, Orange Glaze and White CBG, this range is on the pricier side (paying for the import!) but it’s the top pick for cannabis connoisseurs wanting to treat themselves to something special.
You can make your experience all the more fun by adding some awesome weed-themed artwork or clothing to your shopping basket.
Kitchen Hemp. Photo credit: Little Collins
Little Collins
Based in Ireland and run by cannabis activists JP O’Brien and Ide Clancy. This company has faced real issues with the Gardai as even CBD oil is thought of as highly suspicious in County Galway! But they still press on with their lovely business and fighting for cannabis legalisation. Their CBD flower is second to none and makes for a very enjoyable vape!
DISCLAIMER: Always check the regulations in your country of residence when purchasing or consuming cannabis-related products.
Ruby Deevoy is a UK cannabis journalist and founder of The CBD Consultancy. Her work has appeared in The Independent, The Times, The Mirror, The Express, The Sun, Stylist, The Metro, Top Sante and more.
