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As people increasingly turn to CBD products to achieve balanced overall well-being and to treat a range of health problems, many are discovering the versatility of hemp flower. Just like its cousin the cannabis plant, hemp flower may be consumed in a number of ways. Let’s look at some leading delivery methods so you can make an informed choice about which one will work best for you!
1. Smoking
While not everyone cares to smoke their flower, smoking it in the form of a blunt or joint is the easiest way to ensure the purity of your CBD hemp flower. With no cutting agents or other foreign substances, you’re getting the purest form of hemp flower available. You can smoke from a pipe, bong, or volcano if you don’t like the idea of smoking the rolling paper.
Some enjoy the experience of smoking their CBD flower because the effects are experienced more quickly. This is especially true for people seeking pain relief. The versatility of hemp flower allows for many different consumption methods, all preferred by some enthusiasts for various reasons.
2. Vaping
If you’re going to vape, you need to know what you’re inhaling. This is a new industry, largely unregulated, so it’s often difficult to discern product quality. But producers know this. And reliable producers are forthcoming about purity and other elements used in processing. A good producer, for example, offers third-party analyses of their products, right on their website. Choose a good, reliable supplier who’s transparent about their production processes.
Vape pens contain heating elements that can be responsible for metal nanoparticles being part of your hemp flower smoking experience. So, you not only need to be aware of the quality of the liquid or distillate you’re smoking, but you need to be aware of the quality of the metal your vape pen’s made from and whether it’s safe for use. Look for recommendations from the US Hemp Roundtable and the National Hemp Association.
3. Edibles
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Edibles are a favored consumption method for many because they’re discreet. With less odor and no smoke cloud, you just pop your CBD gummy, cookie, brownie, drink, or other edible in your mouth.
But then, you wait. So edibles are for people who plan their dosages and understand that good things take time. Edibles are also available in very specific formulations, some of which contain a substantial amount of THC. These are full-spectrum CBD edibles that contain varying blends with different THC content. Broad-spectrum edibles contain all the cannabinoids in the plant, except THC. CBD isolate edibles contain only CBD, with no THC, other cannabinoids, or terpenes.
4. Tinctures
Tinctures are a versatile consumption method that allows people to add CBD to food and drink, take a dose under the tongue, or apply it to the skin. Tinctures are also fast-acting and model high bioavailability (meaning they’re easy for your body to absorb and benefit from).
Because the hemp flower is soaked in grain alcohol, and then heated to create the final product, CBD tinctures contain all the terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids (but only trace amounts of THC), making it a powerful distillation of the plant. The more costly tinctures are arguably stronger than oils, due to their near full-spectrum nature, which allows for a powerful entourage effect.
5. Oils
Like tinctures, CBD oil is a versatile product that can be added to food and drink for consumption. But as with vapes, caution is counseled with respect to the supplier. Always look for total transparency in the buying experience. Do you know what other substances are present? Always research before you buy.
It’s important to know there is no official regulation with respect to the composition of oils, some of which may contain agents like pesticides and heavy metals. Always look into the producer’s reputation and the composition of the product. As I said earlier, a good producer is completely transparent about cultivation practices and any substances employed in the processing of their hemp flower.
The cannabis and hemp flower industry continues to grow and in that process of growth, new trends, practices, and products come online each day. So it’s up to you to investigate the quality of the products you choose to consume.
Know what you’re purchasing. Know your producer. Once you’ve found your preferred consumption method, find the supplier best positioned to deliver products that are safe and of the highest quality.
