You have decided to try CBD flowers, but you get to the shop and run into greenhouse, indoor, hydroponic, percentages from 7 to 21%, formats of 2, 5 and 10 grams, and you do not know which way to turn. That is what this guide is for: we tell you what to look at so you can pick yours without overthinking it.
What a CBD flower is
It is the hemp bud, with the same look, aroma and texture as regular weed, but with THC below the legal limit. Put another way: it rolls the same and smells similar, but it does not get you high. If you want the detail, we break it down in What Is CBD and How Is It Different From THC?.
First things first: the growing method
It is the decision that most affects what you are going to get, and the one that explains why two flowers with a similar percentage can cost very different amounts.
Greenhouse
Sunlight inside a structure that controls temperature and humidity. Lower production cost, natural development and the best balance between price and CBD content. It is the go-to option for everyday smoking: this is where Minibuds, Amnesia and Fruit sit.
Indoor
Growing under artificial light with everything controlled down to the detail during flowering. It gives you denser, more resinous buds with a more defined aroma. It costs more to produce and yields less, so an indoor flower can cost more even with a lower percentage: what you pay for is the growing and the terpenes, not the number. This is where Mandarin, Diesel and Minibuds Premium sit.
Hydroponic (hydro)
No substrate: the roots get a nutrient solution measured down to the detail, with control over pH, temperature and light. It lets growers steer development very precisely, which is why the highest concentrations and the best batch to batch consistency live here. This is where Pineapple and Biscotti sit.
The CBD percentage: what it tells you and what it does not
The percentage measures a single molecule. It is useful for getting an idea, but it does not explain everything: the aroma and the flavour are built by the terpenes, which depend above all on the growing. That is why a flower with a lower % can appeal to you more than one with a higher figure. If you go by numbers, look at Pineapple (21.36%) and Minibuds (16.38%). If you go by aroma, look at the growing method before the figure.
The format: 2, 5 or 10 grams
If this is your first purchase or you want to taste around, grab 2 grams of two different varieties before you marry one: getting it wrong on 2 costs less than on 10. If you already know what you want, the 10 g format brings the price per gram down quite a bit.
How to choose, depending on your case
If you are coming from regular weed: go greenhouse, like Minibuds or Amnesia: same vibe and a good price.
If you are after aroma and looks: indoor. Mandarin (citrus) or Diesel (earthy).
If you want the highest percentage: hydroponic, and Pineapple rules there.
If it is your first time: 2 grams of a couple of varieties to try them without spending too much.
A couple of practical notes
CBD flower usually comes denser and more resinous than the weed you are used to, so take it easy when you grind it to avoid packing it down. And if you are short on rolling gear, in the smoking accessories collection you have papers, tips, grinder and trays, or check out our guide How to Roll the Perfect Joint in 6 Steps.
And if flower is not your thing
You have CBD hash, more concentrated, and the full spectrum oils, for anyone who does not want to smoke. All of it together in the CBD section.
