How to use hemp buds: a CBD-rich species of cannabis

Juicy Fruit is a sativa strain with a sweet aroma and fruity taste. Being a sativa, this strain has an energizing effect. Tested at 15.05% CBD and contains less than 0.3% THC.

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2	$22.00	301mg	$0.073	Order
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How Different CBD strains are created

Breeders are able to create strains of cannabis with different traits and compositions. The process involves years of genetic selection and crossbreeding between plants that possess desired traits for generations.

In addition to different amounts and ratios of THC, CBD and other cannabinoids, breeders are also looking to manipulate many other traits, including:

• Plant size and yield
• Adaptability and resistance to disease
• Productivity and seed production
• Flower traits, such as their shape, color, size, aroma, flavour and resin quality

How much CBD is in a gram of hemp flower

One gram of hemp flower will contain between 100 – 200mg of CBD depending on the concentration of CBD in the strain of plant. Concentrations of cannabinoids are often advertised as percentages. I.e. A strain with a CBD concentration of 17% would contain 170mg in a gram of flower.

How to use Hemp buds

Hemp buds or CBD flower can be used to dose CBD in a number of various ways, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. Here are some important things to keep in mind if you decide to take hemp buds, regardless of what method of administration you choose:

• CBD activation: All methods of dosing using hemp buds involve heating the plant matter e.g. vaporizing, smoking or cooking. The act of heating ‘activates’ the cannabinoids. Consuming raw hemp buds is highly inefficient, as very little CBD can be absorbed by the body in this way.
• Natural – no additives: Dosing using hemp flowers is a natural and pure way to access CBD. The plant matter hasn’t been processed and no other material has been added to the product. For this reason, hemp buds may be the most suitable CBD option for those who are allergic to common carrying agents, which are often used in CBD oil products.
• Difficult to dose: A drawback of using hemp flowers is that it’s much harder to calculate a specific dose of CBD in milligrams compared to CBD oil or capsules. Despite this, the strategy of starting with a low dose, i.e. vaping or smoking a small amount and slowly increasing to feel desired effect, is still applicable.

Vaping CBD flower

This method involves using a dry herb atomizer (a type of vape) to heat the CBD buds to a certain temperature, allowing the cannabinoids to be inhaled as a vapor. Vaping CBD flower is a fast acting, effective and an affordable way to dose CBD.

The drawback of vaping CBD flower is the requirement to buy and maintain a dry herb atomizer/vaporizer.

Administration steps:
These are generic notes, we recommend checking your device’s specific instructions in addition.

1. Break apart or grind the hemp buds using a herb grinder, as this will increase the surface area of the plant matter that is exposed to heat.
2. Fill the vaporizing device with the ground buds. You can experiment with quantity of plant matter and how tightly you pack the chamber. Ensure the bottom of the chamber closest to the heat source is covered with ground herb, yet be wary of over packing.
3. To maximise absorption, inhale vapor slowly for about 10 seconds before taking another breath of fresh air and then exhale slowly.
4. When first starting, begin with a small dose to see how your body responds. As with other forms of CBD administration, each user will prefer different doses and frequency of use.

Smoking hemp buds

Combusting hemp buds and inhaling the smoke results in CBD being absorbed into the bloodstream via the lungs. It’s an effective way to absorb CBD, but comes with the drawback of smoke inhalation, which can be damaging to the respiratory system.

Smoking CBD flower has the advantage of being a familiar feeling for recreational or medicinal marijuana users and cigarette smokers. The only difference between recreational cannabis and hemp buds is the THC and CBD content. This familiar feeling can help users wishing to quit smoking cigarettes or cut back THC consumption.

How much CBD flower should I smoke

Dosage with CBD flower depends on each person and the strain of flower as some are stronger than others. It’s best to start with small doses, one or two puffs of a CBD joint, pipe or vape to determine one’s tolerance to CBD.

Can you smoke hemp

While it’s possible to smoke industrial hemp, it’s not a good idea. There are no beneficial cannabinoids in hemp grown for industrial purposes and may even contain harmful contaminants. To gain any benefit you need specially grown species of hemp with high concentrations of CBD.

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Cooking with CBD flower

Just as recreational cannabis can be used in cooking, hemp buds can be similarly used to make homemade edibles that contain CBD but not the unwanted THC. Once made, edibles are one of the most simple and tasty ways to dose CBD.

CBD edibles take much longer to take effect compared with other dosing methods, approximately 30-90 minutes after eating. The effects, however, last longer. After eating, the body digests the CBD prior to it reaching the bloodstream, meaning the body absorbs less CBD compared to smoking or vaping.

How to make CBD edibles

There are many methods and recipes for making CBD edibles from cannabis flowers. The same recipes using recreational cannabis containing THC can be replicated with hemp buds. The 2 essential steps of cooking with hemp buds are activating the CBD and extracting it to a carrier. Here’s more detailed information on how to do each of these:

Step 1: decarboxylation
The first step involves gently heating the buds in order to activate the cannabinoids, converting CBDa to CBD. This process is called decarboxylation. As with other aspects of the process, this can be achieved a number of ways. It’s critical that temperatures do not exceed 245° F / 118 °C, because anything above this point will degrade the CBD, resulting in lost potency.

Oven method:

1. Grind the buds (approx 7 grams – discussed further below) with a herb grinder.
2. Spread ground bud in a covered casserole dish or on a lined baking tray.
3. Heat in over for 60-90 minutes at 245° F / 118 °C.
4. Note: the baking process creates a pungent smell.

Step 2: Extracting the CBD
The next step is to extract the activated CBD into a carrier, for instance butter, ghee or an oil.

1. Heat the activated (pre-baked) plant material and butter (approx 1 cup – discussed below) very gently for 30 minutes. Do not heat aggressively and do not allow to burn.
2. Strain the bulk of the plant material from the butter using a sieve.
3. The remaining butter will be infused with CBD.

Step 3: Using CBD infused butter
The butter remaining from step 2 will be infused with CBD. This butter can be eaten as is or used to replace butter in cookie, brownie or other recipes. When using the butter in further baking or cooking, keep temperature below 315° F (155 °C).

How much bud to use
How much CBD flower and butter to use is dependent on the concentration of CBD flower being used and the desired strength and size of your batch. Below are some examples of quantities used in different recipes. Note that the quantities vary greatly, so you are free to experiment:

• 7 grams bud per ½ cup butter
• 7 grams bud per 1 cup butter
• 1 ounce (28 grams) to 1 pound (2 cups) of butter

Another option is using a large quantity of hemp trim instead of a smaller amount of flower for cooking. ‘Trim’ refers to the excess leaves and plant matter from a cannabis plant. One recipe suggested:

• 1 ounce trim (28 grams) per every 1/2 pound (1 cup – 227 grams) of butter