What is Cannabis Flower?
‘Flower’ refers to the smokeable, trichome-enriched part of a cannabis plant. Flower is the most popular form of cannabis consumption due to it’s versatility and methods of use; it can be smoked using a pipe, bowl, or bong. It can also be rolled into a joint or blunt and even used for cooking.
Anatomy of a flower plant
Leaves
There are two types of cannabis plants: Indica and Sativa. They both have different THC and CBD levels/effects. The sativa leaf is long, thin, and lighter in color. Indica leaves are wide, broad, and darker in color. Various strains affect everyone differently so be sure to test out which strain works best for you.
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Cannabinoids
The two major cannabinoids are THC and CBD. There are many more cannabinoids such as CBC, CBG, and CBN. THC and CBD affect users by interacting with specific receptors located at different parts of the nervous system. The main cannabinoid receptors are CB1 and CB2.
Flower
Flower (or bud) is the part of a marijuana plant that contains all of the cannabinoids. Most commonly, it is ground up and smoked. Only female plants produce flowers in the ‘bloom’ stage, which usually takes 6 to 8 weeks.
Trichomes
Trichomes are the crystals visible on flowering tops. They are a rich source of THC and are an indicator of how potent the cannabis will be. Trichomes can change their color and size depending on the strain and stage of their growing cycle. They are used to indicate when a plant is fully mature and ready for harvest.
Terpenes
Terpenes are organic aromas found in the oils of flowering plants such as cannabis. These oils have their own benefits and makeup that have an increased effect when ingested. When cannabinoids and terpenes work together they create an ‘entourage’ effect that enhances the medicinal properties of the cannabis plant.
