CBD Flowers: What Are They, Are They Legal & More

CBD has grown in popularity over the last 5 years or so, with 44% of Europeans now indicating that they know friends or family members who are using CBD.

Despite its increasing prevalence, one of the lesser-known CBD products available to buy online are CBD flowers.

So what are they? What are they used for? And are they legal?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Is CBD?

CBD, or Cannabidiol, is one of over a hundred cannabinoid compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa, or Hemp, plant.

CBD is most commonly extracted from the flowers, stalks and leaves of the hemp plant and added to a carrier oil, such as hemp seed oil, to create CBD oil - a food supplement that can be used to support wellbeing and healthy living.

These strains of the hemp plant are cultivated for their high levels of CBD but have a very low level of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).

Unlike THC, CBD is a non-psychoactive substance, which means that users don’t get the “high” that’s often associated with recreational cannabis use.

What Is A CBD Flower?

A CBD flower is a term used to refer to the flower, or bud, of the Hemp plant.

CBD flowers have grown in popularity in recent years, as the demand for CBD products has increased, with people looking for new and interesting ways to add CBD to their diet.

These flowers are essentially the same part of the plant that is used by recreational cannabis users, however, because they are from a different strain of the cannabis plant, they do not contain the same levels of THC.

The flowers are sold by online retailers for users to smoke or to create CBD edibles in the same way as they would with recreational cannabis.

Are CBD Flowers Legal?

As with much of the CBD industry, there is a lot of confusion about the legality of CBD hemp flowers, but the simple answer is that no - CBD flowers are not legal.

While it's perfectly legal to buy CBD Oil and other CBD products on the high street, or online, because you’re buying a finished retail product, the issue with CBD flowers arises because there are laws and restrictions on the cultivation of the Hemp plant.

Cultivation requires a license in the UK and means that only the fibre and seeds can be processed for commercial use, with the rest of the plant, including the flowers, having to be destroyed.

CBD hemp flowers look identical to those used for recreational cannabis use, so it would be impossible for the police, or any other law enforcement agency, to distinguish between the two.

So, if CBD flowers are illegal, why are they so readily available to buy online?

The short answer is that the government, and the organisations in charge of enforcing these laws, don’t have the necessary resources to impose the law on those selling the products online, or they simply haven’t had a chance to catch up with each of the sellers yet.

However, if you’re the end-user and you’re caught in possession of CBD hemp flowers there is still a chance you could face charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act because a CBD flower is from the cannabis plant, so is considered a Class B drug.

In our opinion, it’s simply not worth the risk to buy an illegal product like CBD flowers when there are countless CBD products available that are perfectly legal to buy and possess.

What’s The Verdict?

CBD hemp flowers might be easy to find and purchase online, but there will always be a risk that doing so could result in prosecution.

While the risk may be small, it seems unnecessary given the sheer number of CBD products that are now available legally both online and on the high street.

If you’re going to buy CBD, make sure it’s from a reputable brand that can provide lab results to verify the compounds present in their products so that you know for certain what the products contain.

There can be a lot of confusing information out there, so if you’re still unsure about the world of CBD, or you’d just like to get straightforward answers to your questions, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.