Since marijuana legalization, many terms describing cannabis products have found their way into our modern-day lexicon, flower being just one, and throughout the media.
For those new to the marijuana experience, this may cause confusion as you navigate the variety of products available.
Even for those who consume marijuana in their daily lives, these terms may have you scratching your head as well.
More and more we’re hearing the word “flower” being used to describe marijuana – but are they the same thing? Let’s take a look at what exactly flower is and how it relates to the cannabis plant:
What is Flower?
When we think of flowers, we think of beautiful petals that bloom on a plant. Technically, however, flowers are considered in the science world to be the seed-bearing part of a plant. Therefore, they are the part of the plant that reproduces.
When it comes to cannabis, the “bud” of the female plant is where the seeds form when allowed. Yes, marijuana plants have genders. The males produce pollen which is then transferred to the female plant via pollination. The female is then prompted to grow seeds in order to grow more plants.
The female cannabis plant produces more cannabinoids than males so they are often grown but not allowed to seed. Growing seeds requires more energy from the plant to grow – energy that can be used to produce more cannabinoids and a more potent marijuana flower.
Plus, seeds are a pain to separate from buds and can be harsh if smoked accidentally.
So Are Marijuana and Flower the Same Thing?
Since the definition of a flower is “the seed-bearing part of a plant”, no actual seeds need to spawn in order to be considered a flower. It just has to be the part that could potentially bloom such as marijuana buds.
As a general term, “flower” refers to the smokable part of the female cannabis plant which is the most popular form of cannabis. It can be smoked or rolled, offering versatility when it comes to consumption.
After marijuana legalization, many of the terms used to refer to cannabis products took on a broader meaning. To make things less confusing, many in the industry started using the term flower to refer to buds.
This is to differentiate the smokable bud from other forms of cannabis such as concentrates and edibles. Between flower, concentrates, and edibles, each has a different onset time (how long it takes to feel high) and duration time (how long you feel high).
To answer the question: If you’re talking about marijuana bud and flower then, yes, they are the same thing! If you walk into a licensed cannabis shop and ask for flower, you’ll receive a smokable cannabis product.
Marijuana Flower
Marijuana flower, also known as cannabis flower, is typically enjoyed through smoking either through a joint or blunt. A joint contains just ground cannabis rolled in a paper filter while a blunt is a larger roll-up made using cigar papers.
You can also smoke marijuana flower through a pipe or bong and even a vaporizer.
When you consume marijuana by smoking it, the effects usually kick in within seconds – unlike edibles that can take 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll find your high will peak at around 30 minutes and the overall experience will last for 1-3 hours.
Cannabis flower is a cost-effective product in comparison to other forms and doesn’t require any sort of special paraphernalia to smoke it. However, some people try to stay away from smoking any sort of substance since the smoke can be hard on the throat.
Common Forms of Cannabis Flower
When looking to purchase cannabis, there are two common options you’ll find in your local dispensary: loose flower and pre-rolls.
If you purchase loose flower, you will receive dry leaf that is simply loose from the cannabis plant without the stems, leaves, or seeds. You will need to grind the flower before smoking it to ensure the grounds burn more evenly.
Pre-rolls, on the other hand, are ground cannabis that can be purchased in cylindrical or cone-like marijuana joints, pre-rolls, or blunts. The dry leaf is already rolled and ready to smoke – grinding the cannabis, rolling it, and even the packing & wrapping is already done!
Marijuana Flower Quality
Not all cannabis flower is produced equally, so cannabis users need to be aware of the quality they are purchasing.
Luckily, flower marijuana is sold in three different quality tiers: private reserve, higher-tier, and lower-quality cannabis.
Private reserve cannabis describes the best cannabis product available. It usually implies that the dispensary is the one that cultivates and harvests it. You’ll find this product comes with a higher price tag but noticeably higher quality.
Higher-tier cannabis is also of high quality with the marijuana being grown with attentive care and harvesting. This type of bud has greater potency and also comes at a higher price.
Lastly, lower-quality cannabis is exactly what it sounds like: a low-quality herb. Dispensaries will use this term for their cheapest weed. It is often old, contains seeds and stems, has low THC ratings, and may even contain a harsh taste when smoked.
Why do dispensaries sell lower-quality or bottom-shelf cannabis if the quality is so low? They do so in order to offer cannabis users an affordable alternative if higher-tier cannabis or private reserve flower does not fit their budget. This way, consumers have a wide range of price points to choose from.
Properly Storing Flower Marijuana
This form of cannabis goes a long way to give you many of the benefits that marijuana provides but it’s important to properly store flower to ensure it retains its potency.
All you need to do is minimize the flower’s exposure to oxygen, heat, moisture, and UV light by storing it in an airtight container such as a mason jar.
If you’re worried that your cannabis flower has degraded, look for the following signs:
- Color: Fresh bud should have bright green, purple, and orange colors. While it will wilt over time, a rusty-looking khaki green probably means it is past its prime.
- Smell: It’s no secret that marijuana bud has a distinctive aroma but, over time, the sealed flower will produce a stale, fermented scent. Even if you air out the product, it may be degraded if you notice a hay-type smell.
- Taste: For some, old flower will taste significantly different from fresh flower – often described as having an “earthy” taste.
While smoking old flower is not necessarily detrimental to your health, it will not be as potent as fresh products and may leave you with a funny taste in your mouth.
There is No Right Way to Enjoy Cannabis
While flower and bud are certainly popular because it’s the easiest way to enjoy getting high without spending a lot of money, there is no right way to enjoy cannabis!
How you choose to consume weed depends entirely on your comfort level. Whether you’re growing yourself or purchasing from a cannabis dispensary like Tokyosmoke, the important thing is finding what works for you and safely experimenting with the wide range of products available.
