As the hemp industry in the U.S. continues to grow in popularity and market size, it is important to understand the basic nuances of the cannabis plant. The well-known green fan leaves are much more complex than meets the eye when it comes to their plant’s makeup and cultivation.

The dried bud of the hemp plant is called the hemp flower and is different from the sum of its parts. It is all-encompassing of the plant’s cannabinoids and terpenes, meaning the active chemical ingredients and essential oils that give the plant its distinct smell and flavor. In contrast, the hemp extract or cannabidiol (CBD) oil must be pressed and processed from the flower, in addition to the leaves, stems and stalks of a matured plant. 

What is the Hemp Flower? 

Hemp is a dioecious plant, having both male and female reproductive structures. The highest concentrations of cannabinoids are found in the female species, which are grown to maturity and trimmed into buds, forming a “cola” at the top of the stem. Trichomes are a blanket of crystal resin that coats the plant and contains those terpenes and cannabinoids. The two most common chemical makeups that can be found in the hemp flower are CBD and Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), though the flower is non-psychoactive and has trace amounts of THC. The terpenes are the aromatic compounds that give off the unique cannabis smell and flavor. The flower’s terpene profile also has its own potential healing properties. 

What is Hemp Extract? 

Hemp extract is separated from the CBD compound found in the hemp plant and can be referred to as cannabidiol oil. The thick, tar-like substance can be separated using various methods. Hawley Hemp Labs uses a safer ethanol extraction, which is more efficient and allows a higher volume of cannabinoids to be pulled through. For more information on our boutique extracting services contact us here.

What Forms can Flowers and Extracts Take? 

Flowers can be dried and smoked, while the CBD oil extracted from the bud can be used orally or topically. Drops from a tincture can be placed under the tongue, swallowed in capsule form, added to food and beverages, and can come as a balm or rub to be spread on the skin. 

What are the Benefits of Flowers and Extracts? 

There are a number of health and wellness benefits to be experienced using hemp and CBD-based products. The chemical compound is said to have a positive impact on a wide range of conditions and illnesses, such as acne, ADHD, Alzheimer’s Disease, anxiety, cancer, chronic pain, depression and even addictive behaviors like smoking cigarettes.

Though they contain similar therapeutic properties and stem from the same cannabis plant, the hemp flower and hemp extract each have their own distinct form and production methods. A hemp flower is the dried, unprocessed bud from the plant and contains the complete range of its cannabinoids and terpenes. The hemp extract, or CBD oil is derived from the flower bud, leaves and other plant components. Regardless of the form, hemp and CBD products are now and will continue to be a major player in the health and wellness industry for the proven relief they can provide.

Websites

“CBD Hemp Flower - Benefits, Reviews & 2022 Buyer's Guide.” Go to ., 26 Oct. 2020, https://www.cannainsider.com/reviews/cbd-flower/.

Chen, Jeffrey. “CBD Extract: What It Is, Uses, Benefits, and More.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 20 July 2021, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbd-extract#extraction.

Desjardins, Jeff. “The Anatomy of a Cannabis Plant, and Its Lifecycle.” Visual Capitalist, 21 May 2021, https://www.visualcapitalist.com/anatomy-cannabis-plant/.

Ferguson, Sian. “Hemp vs. Marijuana: What's the Difference?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 27 Aug. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/health/hemp-vs-marijuana.

Nickus, Lesley. “The Differences between Hemp and Marijuana.” Weedmaps, 10 Mar. 2021, https://weedmaps.com/learn/the-plant/hemp-vs-marijuana.

“WHAT IS HEMP FLOWER?” Edited by Hemp Genetics, Highgradehempseed.com, 2020, https://highgradehempseed.com/blog/what-is-hemp-flower/.