Discover the hemp plant and CBD flowers

But what CBD flowers are ? What are the basics you need to know about cannabis leaves and flowers?

Cannabis leaf

Each hemp leaf has between five and nine fingers, but this varies from leaf to leaf and depends on genetics and environmental conditions. There are also a few varieties whose leaves do not resemble regular hemp leaves.

As the plants are mostly indica-dominant, the leaves are rather broad and short, while the leaves of sativa-dominant varieties are rather long and narrow. Some of the hemp plant's leaves grow particularly large during the growth phase, the so-called sun sails.

In the flowering phase, they are generally no longer intact and are then removed accordingly.

The leaves also contain a certain amount of cannabinoids such as THCA, CBDA or CBGA. What's special is that THC's cannabinoid acid, THCA, has no psychoactive effect - it doesn't get you high. The effect of THC occurs only after THCA has been converted to THC by the action of heat (decarboxylation). What's more, fresh leaves contain many healthy fatty acids that are important for a balanced diet.

CBD flower or hemp flower

The flowers of the hemp plant are undoubtedly the most desirable part of the plant. Not only because of its wide range of medicinal applications in modern medicine, but also because of legalization and regulation in many countries, it's once again in a different light.

CBD cannabis flowers start to grow when a cycle of decreasing light and longer periods of darkness sets in.

For outdoor plants, this is when the days get longer, i.e. at the end of summer.

In the case of houseplants, you can artificially delay flowering with long lighting, or you can positively encourage flowering with lighting.

Autoflowering varieties, which flower automatically, are an exception to this rule. This property is called «autoflowering».

If the flower is pollinated by the wind or, in rare cases, by bees, the fruits of the hemp plant, hemp nuts, are formed in the flower.

The hemp plant is highly resinous and only stops forming resin when it goes to seed. As a result, it also loses some of its precious cannabinoids and their potency. As with hemp's sister plant, hops, care is taken to ensure that male and female plants are spatially separated during cultivation, with the emphasis on the flower.

At the top of the hemp plant is the «headbud», which consists of several small flowers.

These and all the other flowers of the hemp plant are made up of buds, petals and flower stalks. The bud consists of calyxes, which form the shells of the pistils (white and later amber to brownish hairs) and trichomes.

Trichomes are the resin glands, and when enlarged they look a bit like pins. They are «special mini-laboratories» and produce cannabinoids and terpenes. It is assumed that the trichomes themselves and the terpenes they contain serve, among other things, as the plant's natural insect repellent.

The female flower with all its ingredients is the object of desire. They are used for both medical and private purposes. The effect of the flower depends on the growth cycle, the proportion of THC and CBD and their relationship to each other.

CBD flowers are predominantly sativa: rather dark green, rather airy and narrow. Many people find these varieties rather heavy and associate with them feelings of euphoria, creativity and energy.

The indica-dominant CBD flower: rather light green, rather dense and compact flowers. Many people find these varieties heavier and associate with them sensations of relaxation, drowsiness and calm.

Most CBD flower strains, like the ones you'll find on the excellent JustBob.co.uk online store, have so-called hybrids, which fall somewhere on the spectrum between pure sativa and indica varieties.

For some years now, the THC content of flowers has taken a back seat, and the market has been demanding varieties containing CBD. In France, these varieties are legally available as an alternative to tobacco, subject to compliance with the maximum THC content authorized in the country concerned. In France, the legal situation is now clear, with the decision of the European Court of Justice validating the legalization of CBD cannabis and CBD flowers in France.