What is dried flower?
Cannabis flowers are typically green, little, and grow in bunches known as “bud.” Flower, or bud, is the smokable, trichome-covered part of a female cannabis plant. It must be dried and cured before consumption. Flower is the most popular form of cannabis because it can be consumed in a variety of ways.
What are trichomes?
Trichomes are the glistening translucent structures covering the flower. The glandular trichomes on and around the flowers produce oils containing THC, CBD, other cannabinoids and terpenes. Trichomes can be brittle or sticky, but it’s also the part of the plant that has the majority of THC and other cannabinoids. Smoking whole-plant, flower cannabis gives patients the ability to better control their dose. A patient can use a small amount and wait mere moments to determine if they need more. This is because once inhaled, cannabinoids rapidly pass from the lungs to the bloodstream.
How is it sold?
Cannabis is usually measured in grams and ounces. It can be purchased by the gram, by the eighth ounce (often known simply as ‘an eighth’ or 3.5g), quarter ounce, and one full ounce. This refers to the weight of the cannabis flower itself, not counting packaging, rolling paper, or other peripheral materials.
How long does it take for you to start feeling the effects?
This is largely dependent on factors such as biochemistry, weight, the amount consumed, the cannabinoid and terpene profile of the strain, and how the cannabis is consumed. Smoking and vaping typically take about five minutes to reach the peak of psychoactivity, according to Dr. Robert Mann of the University of Toronto’s Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, though some consumers report feeling effects within seconds.
Flower vs. oil — what’s the difference?
Cannabis vape oils come in a variety of strains, blends or THC/CBD ratios. The potency of oils can be much higher than the original plant matter from which it is derived. The reason for this is oil is quite literally a concentrated oil made from the flower/bud itself. During the creation of concentrates, plant matter is largely lost in favor of isolating more desired compounds like THC, CBD, and terpenes. It’s for this reason some enjoy flower; for its more earthy flavor and aroma. These two types of cannabis are very different, though both can produce general therapeutic cannabis experiences.
How to use:
Prior to smoking cannabis, you should grind or break up the flower. This topic will be covered in our segment, LeafLine’s Guide: How to Use It.
Sources Used:
Leafly.com
https://weedmaps.com/learn/products-and-how-to-consume/cannabis-flower
Branding Bud, The Commercialization of Cannabis by David A. Paleschuck
Have more questions?
Send us your questions in the comments and we will do our best to address them in our future segments.