What Is CBD Flower?
CBD Flower is any hemp flower that contains less than 0.2% THC and has a moderately high CBD content. In the last five years, CBD flower has become extremely popular due to a huge array of products containing CBD being released all the time and the quality of CBD Flower constantly improving.
Most CBD flowers are originally grown as THC flowers that recreational cannabis users have been enjoying for centuries, however, the THC is removed through a range of different chemical extraction methods so that it reaches under 0.2% THC.
Is There A Difference Between Industrial Hemp And Premium Hemp Flower?
Way before the CBD boom, different cultures around the world viewed hemp as a product of manufacturing. The earliest records of the use of hemp goes back 12,000 years to 10,000 BC when it was used in northern China where it was used to manufacture items such as clothing, ropes, and sailboats. Today there is increasing interest in using hemp in a range of industries, including biofuel, cosmetics, and industrial materials including plastic and paper. There is a huge difference between the uses of industrial hemp and premium hemp flower. Both of these come from the same seed however the way they are processed differs heavily. Some of the uses of hemp flower include smoking or vaping it and using it to produce products such as CBD Oils.
Is Smoking CBD Flower Legal in the UK?
Yes. CBD products including flower are legal to consume in the United Kingdom. CBD flower that is low in THC is legal to consume in the United Kingdom, with low in THC being under 0.2% or 1 milligram per packaged product.
Can I Vape CBD Hemp Flower?
Many users of CBD flower opt to vaporise it, a lot of reports suggest that using a dry-herb vaporiser enhances the flavour profiles of hemp and the effects of it. Fortunately, you will be able to find a wide range of dry herb vaporisers in all different shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Vaporising hemp flower can be much more enjoyable than smoking a joint with tobacco, it can be a lot easier, and more economical in terms of how many flowers you need peruse. Individuals who suffer from lung conditions or persistent coughs have also reported that vaping is much less harsh than smoking a joint.
Can You Use CBD Hemp Flower In Edibles?
Hemp Flower can be used to make a variety of edibles, such as cookies, brownies, and cupcakes. A favourite recipe amongst hemp bakers is a simple CBD brownie recipe, that involves making hemp-infused butter and then mixing it with a brownie mix. To make CBD cannabutter you must ensure you properly heat it with butter or a substitute such as coconut oil so that the cannabinoids are properly absorbed.
What Does CBD Flower Make You Feel Like?
The effects of CBD flower are considered to most as very pleasant, with many users of CBD hemp flower reporting feeling more relaxed, happy, and having stress reduction. Different strains can have different effects, some can make you relaxed and some can make you feel energetic, whilst others can make your body feel completely relaxed and can help with sleep. There have been a multitude of scientific studies that suggest that CBD if used in the right dosages has the potential to ease pain, aid sleep, and reduce the symptoms of anxiety.
Does CBD Hemp Flower Have An Immediate Effect?
When CBD flower is either smoked in a joint, vaped in a vaporiser, or combusted in other ways such as with the use of pipes or bongs it affects the user incredibly quickly, taking anywhere from 30 seconds to 2 minutes to take effect. Other methods of CBD ingestion such as CBD edibles and tinctures will take a lot longer to take effect, due to them having to be processed through the liver.
Does CBD Flower Show Up On A Drug Test?
Most drug tests are not designed to test for CBD so it is unlikely that you would fail a drug test for CBD. However, as CBD flower contains trace amounts of THC it is possible that you could fail a drug test for THC. There have been cases where have been false positive tests from high doses of CBD but these are extremely rare. If your job is at risk if you fail a drug test it is recommended that you either avoid CBD Flower completely or ensure that you get it from a trusted source so you are less likely to fail a drug test.
Can You Fail a Drug Test for CBD?
Although conventional drug tests are not designed to detect CBD, many legal hemp products (products containing less than 0.2%) can cause positive results for drug tests testing for THC.
How Does CBD Show Up On A Drug Test?
Incorrectly packaged
Many manufacturers and retailers of CBD products claim that their products contain zero THC but this in most cases is a plain lie, which can cause many people to unexpecting fail drug tests. Some people have had a positive test result after using CBD Oil and other products that have not been produced correctly or are displaying the wrong THC percentage.
False Positives
It is also possible for false positives, these occur when an individual has been taking other drugs, including NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications), such as ibuprofen, efavirenz, pantoprazole, sulindac, and naproxen.
Negligence
Negligence can also play a role in some cases, for example, some suppliers, unfortunately, cut corners, using cheap extraction methods that do not remove all the THC present. At present, there are not any regulatory stands for the THC extraction processes, which as a result increases the chance of CBD products containing THC.
What Drug Tests Are Used To Find THC?
An immunoassay test which is commonly known as a urine test identifies if THC is present in an individual's system. This test uses antibodies that are designed to latch onto specific drugs that are being tested for. For example, if the test is testing for THC, if the antibodies in the test identify it you would receive a positive test result.
If a CBD product contains THC it may be detectable for up to 3 days from a one-off use or up to 30 days from regular use, due to THC being highly fat-soluble and slowly released into the system.
What Are The Types Of CBD?
There are three types of CBD, each can contain varying levels of THC. When choosing CBD products, it is important to know the differences between each type as some have high levels of THC which are not suitable for everyone.
-
Full-spectrum CBD
Full spectrum CBD contains all of the naturally occurring compounds in the plant, including CBD as well as other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and THC, as well as other compounds such as terpenes. Full-spectrum CBD is extracted from cannabis plants so can contain varying levels of THC. For full-spectrum CBD to be legal in the United Kingdom it must contain less than 0.2% THC, however, this may still show up on drug tests.
-
Broad-spectrum CBD
Broad-spectrum CBD contains some additional compounds, again including a range of cannabinoids including THC and terpenes. In the majority of cases, broad-spectrum CBD has had most of its THC content removed, however, it does contain trace amounts, so in rare cases, it may cause a positive test result.
-
CBD Isolate
CBD isolate is essentially pure CBD. It is derived from hemp plants that contain low amounts of THC, which is then extracted to create CBD isolate. In 99.99% of cases, THC will not be present in an athletic or workplace drug test even when large doses are taken regularly.
Is CBD prohibited By Workplaces Or Athletic Organisations UK?
Athletes at different levels of sport may have to undertake regular urine-based drug tests to ensure they are not taking any prohibited substances or performing enhancing drugs. These drug tests, test for a multitude of substances, such as androgens, diuretics, simulants, narcotics such as cocaine, and cannabinoids such as THC.
CBD however is completely fine to take and have in your system at any level, with UK anti-doping stating that;
"CBD is not currently listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. As a result, it is permitted to use in sports. All other cannabinoids (including but not limited to cannabis, hashish, marijuana, and THC) are prohibited in competition. The intention of the regulations is to prohibit cannabinoids that activate the same receptors in the brain as activated by THC. "
It is up to the athlete which products they choose to use so it is important athletes are careful that they do not have contaminated products as they will be held accountable.
The substances listed are also prohibited in some workplaces and if they are present in a drug test it is possible the person caught could lose their job, therefore it is advisable to be cautious about the products you use if you have to undertake drug tests at your workplace.
There are currently no workplaces or athletic organizations that deem CBD prohibited.