Delta 8 Flower VS CBD Flower: Know The Difference
Just as we were getting used to CBD, delta-8 showed up, promising even better outcomes. Whereas cannabidiol (CBD) offers medicinal benefits, delta-8 THC delivers both medicinal and psychoactive results.
By now, you’re probably already aware that there are various forms of delta-8, including delta-8 flowers.
But, and here’s the real mind-bender, did you know that there are no delta-8 flowers, per se? What you call delta-8 flowers are basically hemp flowers infused with delta-8 THC. Today’s article demystifies the two products to help you understand the difference between a delta-8 flower and a CBD flower. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
What Is Delta 8?
Delta-8 THC is a cannabinoid that naturally exists in the cannabis plant. This mildly psychoactive compound is derived through a very intricate process since it is not as abundant in the cannabis plant as other popular cannabinoids like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Delta-8 is legal thanks to the legalization of hemp-derived products under the 2018 Farm Bill. As a result of said legality, delta-8 THC has grown in popularity since it is a much better option than delta-9 THC, the cannabinoid notorious for getting users insanely high and causing paranoia and anxiety in some.
CBD users who want more than the medicinal effects of CBD also prefer delta-8.
What Is Delta 8 Flower?
As more and more people choose delta-8 THC products, companies continue to provide different dosing methods for it. One of the most popular ways is by rolling a flower joint.
However, there are no delta-8 strains of the cannabis plant where you can simply harvest flowers and resell them to an eager customer base.
All delta-8 flowers on the market are hemp flowers infused with delta-8 THC, legally known as industrial hemp.
So, with that in mind, delta-8 flowers encompass the cannabinoids in the hemp bud, including CBD, with delta-8 extract added.
Manufacturers add delta-8 THC to hemp buds in different ways. The most popular of these is the dusting method which involves adding a relatively solid form of delta-8 to the hemp flower to become a potent delta-8 flower. However, there are numerous ways to how delta 8 infused hemp flowers are made.
Smoking delta-8 flowers give you the benefits of the whole hemp plant plus the psychoactive effects of delta-8. You will get a mild high that will not lead to any adverse effects like grogginess or paranoia. The compound also relaxes you without draining your energy.
Generally, the benefits of delta-8 THC depend on the strain used. As such, you may feel calm and ready for bed, energized, or even deal with a few conditions like chronic pain and depression.
How To Smoke Delta 8 THC Flower?
If you are new to delta-8, you’ll want to smoke it the right way so that you can ensure no product you purchase goes to waste. After all, money doesn’t exactly grow on trees. There are various ways to consume delta 8 THC.
Bong
Smoking a delta-8 flower through a bong is easy and fast. The process does not require breaking the flower down too much like you would with a joint. And, this method delivers the delta-8 compounds much faster into the bloodstream through the lungs.
A bong consists of three main parts: a container to store the delta-8 flower, a mouthpiece/tube to inhale the smoke, and storage for water. The purpose of water is to purify the smoke so that it’s not harsh on the throat.
Some bongs include a compartment to cool and filter the smoke to minimize harsh effects on the lungs.
Bongs come in different designs and sizes to suit various functions and users. That’s why they are a favorite over other inhalation devices.
Research shows that bongs are safe for filtering toxic substances to prevent them from entering the body.
Joint
The most common way of smoking delta-8 flower is by grinding it and rolling it into a joint. Joints are affordable and convenient. Considering all this, it’s no wonder they are prevalent in cannabis culture.
The joint can be made of hemp fiber, which enhances the delta-8 effect. Some manufacturers even go ahead and flavor the hemp paper to add a taste to your smoking experience.
The best part is, you don’t need to roll your own. There are plenty of delta-8 flower pre-rolls with premium delta-8 flowers.
The main hype surrounding smoking delta-8 in a joint is that it allows you to experience the entourage effect of the hemp plant.
Pipe
Another way to smoke delta-8 flowers is by using a pipe. Cannabis pipes are usually metallic or made of glass, ceramic, or bamboo. This is in contrast to tobacco pipes typically made from clay, meerschaum, corncob, or briarwood.
To smoke delta-8 flowers in a pipe, you need to grind the buds, pack them in a small bowl, fire the other end, and enjoy!
Blunt
Unlike joints that use hemp paper to roll the delta-8 flower, blunts use cigar wraps. A blunt is also considerably bigger than a joint because it carries a large amount of flower.
Blunts are brown since cigar wraps are a dull brown color of clay or mud. This contrasts with the green of the flower, making the blunt a thing of beauty.
The exterior influences the flavor of a blunt, so you can expect some hints of tobacco.
A significant benefit of smoking a blunt is the burn time. The composition and thickness of the wrapper make a blunt burn slower than a joint. It’s a major advantage, especially if you’re smoking in a group since you’ll get more takes out of the blunt.
What’s more, the presence of tobacco adds a more pleasurable experience because it gives you a caffeine-like buzz.
What are the Benefits of Smoking Delta-8 Flower?
Smoking delta-8 flower produces the fastest and most potent results. It’s a better ingestion method than using edibles in terms of speed. When you inhale delta-8, it skips the body’s digestive system’s filtration mechanisms and delivers it to your brain in less than five minutes.
The effects are considerably stronger and can remain so for up to an hour. However, for a continuous high, you have to smoke delta-8 frequently.
What Is CBD Flower?
A hemp flower is the complete flower head of the cannabis plant. Since hemp plants naturally produce high amounts of CBD and low amounts of THC, hemp flower has become known as CBD flowers.
CBD flowers come in a wide variety of strains. There’s usually no need to add CBD to the hemp snugs. All companies have to do is create a strain with a high CBD content, dry and cure it, and make it available to the masses.
Unlike delta-8 flower, CBD flower does not give you a psychoactive experience. Instead, it boasts a wide array of medicinal benefits. It is one of the most used CBD products. That’s why many Americans have tried it at least once.
How to Smoke Hemp Flower?
Like delta-8, you can smoke CBD flowers in a joint, bong, or blunt. The difference lies in the quality of smoke that you get from different buds.
The best CBD buds are from hemp grown organically and indoors. These buds are high in CBD and terpenes. They are also dried and cured perfectly.
While you can smoke CBD buds from hemp grown outdoors, they are likely low in CBD. It’s also likely that the hemp is not grown organically and may contain heavy metals and chemicals to sustain the crop.
Unless you can verify the contents of the flower through lab tests, it’s best to stick to companies that sell CBD flowers from hemp grown indoors.
Now, when you first smoke CBD flowers, you may relate the experience to being slightly high, but what you’ll actually be feeling is an overwhelming sense of calmness.
CBD has various benefits for the body. For example, it helps to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression and alleviates certain types of pain.
Knowing when to stop smoking CBD flowers can be difficult for beginners since you don’t get high like with delta-8 THC or marijuana.
However, with CBD, you stand to gain more by using it over time instead of smoking it now and then. For most people, CBD’s medicinal effects are evident after four weeks.
Drug Test Results Of CBD Flower & Delta 8 THC Flower
Both CBD and delta-8 come from the amazingly versatile cannabis plant. Although both are legal in the U.S., delta-8 THC will make you fail a cannabis drug test. This is because urine tests target THC and not CBD.
Even though delta-8 THC is legal, it metabolizes similarly to delta-9 THC, which is illegal in almost all states. The test cannot differentiate between the THC in delta-8 and THC in delta-9. As a result, you may get in trouble with the law if you take a drug test before the delta-8 metabolites clear from the body.
Therefore, you may want to stay away from delta-8 for a minimum of two weeks before taking a drug test.
Conclusion: Is Delta 8 Flower Same As CBD Flower?
Delta-8 flower and CBD flower may look similar, but their chemical compounds and effects on the body are quite distinct.
For the most part, they are consumed in the same ways as bongs, joints, blunts, and pipes. Regardless, the CBD flower is more popular, especially for people who want medicinal qualities without having a psychoactive reaction.
Delta-8 sounds like a better deal since it comes with medicinal qualities but is also good for recreational purposes; however, it could potentially get you into trouble on a drug test.
