Deborah Agboola

Some consumers say that smoking hemp gives a more pleasurable experience than cannabis. SMOKABLE HEMP: A MORE LEGAL COMPATRIOT? The word "smokable" is commonly used as a blanket term for anything that can be smoked. For a long time, smokable cannabis was exclusively associated with the marijuana plant - the type 1 chemovar (high THC flowers), but not anymore. High-THC flowers are mostly marketed for the recreational and somewhat therapeutic benefits they can deliver when smoked. However, the widespread illegality of cannabis and the interest of "hemp" enthusiasts are broadening the discussion to include more type 2 (balanced THC:CBD) and type 3 (high-CBD) chemovars. High-CBD flowers, known as hemp, have never been so popularly discussed as smokable products. They have been used as extracts, tinctures, medicines, and food preparations but never so widely for smoking. The main reason for its narrow reach was the lack of incentive to manufacture smokable hemp flowers, also known as premium craft flowers. Nonetheless, recent times have seen the market expand with new ways for cannabis enthusiasts and friends to enjoy the plant. The hemp market now flaunts a new cannabis product called smokable hemp, and we are finally getting a chance to scratch below the surface. WHAT IS SMOKABLE HEMP? To start with, smokable hemp is no different from the hemp we are all familiar with already. There are two categories of hemp: industrial hemp, which is generally male, and cannabinoid-rich hemp, which is usually female (hemp flower). Smokable hemp falls under the female cannabinoid-rich flowers. CBD flowers have a genetically lower THC concentration than female marijuana plants. However, even trace amounts of THC in CBD-rich hemp flowers confer benefits that may not be present in isolates. Every cannabis flower, hemp or marijuana, contains several cannabinoids, including CBD and THC. The synergy between these constituent cannabinoids boosts the overall effect of each ingredient to produce the Entourage Effect. Yet, the highly intoxicating concentrations of THC in marijuana and federal concerns prevent most individuals from trying high-THC flowers, making CBD-rich hemp flowers a fantastic alternative for enthusiasts to enjoy CBD with the entourage effect. SMOKABLE HEMP VS. HEMP CBD BIOMASS Although smokable hemp and hemp CBD biomass can be grown from the same hemp flower, the harvesting and processing stages differ. Hemp CBD biomass may be grown using machines and is typically machine-dried and uncured. On the other hand, smokable hemp is hand-trimmed, properly dried, and cured to preserve its trichomes and terpenes. Furthermore, greater precautions are required to reduce contamination hazards while farming hemp for smoking. Hence, most growers cultivating premium craft flowers use indoor systems—a practice with certain impositions. IS SMOKABLE HEMP LEGAL? The most convenient answer to give here would be "yes." Unfortunately, although cannabinoid-rich hemp has been extensively explored since 2014, smokable hemp is a new trend that many laws do not agree with. Yes, it is the same as regular hemp, but it is another cannabis product that has fallen into the nebulous legal gray zone. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp across the country but granted states conditional autonomy over hemp cultivation in their regions. While certain states allow premium craft flowers in their markets, some still treat hemp like an illicit substance, penalizing people who want to smoke hemp for cannabinoids and even addiction treatment. These opponents argue that smokable hemp flowers and marijuana look and smell the same, making it easy for illegal cannabis growers to circumvent the law in regions where cannabis isn't permitted. A good example of one state with this system is Indiana. It began with the popular case of C.Y. Wholesale, Inc. et al. v Holcomb et al., which then effectively led to the criminalization of smokable hemp (hemp flower) in the state because "the dried hemp flower and illegal cannabis are roughly identical in appearance to effectively distinguish quickly." States like Louisiana and Texas legally permit hemp farming but, like Indiana, ban the cultivation and sales of smokable hemp-dried hemp flowers (except for rolling papers in Louisiana). Other states with bans on commercial hemp farming, including smokable hemp production, include Idaho, South Dakota, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia. In states like Colorado and Vermont, smokable hemp and commercial hemp cultivation have no restrictions. THE SMOKABLE HEMP MARKET Smokable hemp presents not just therapeutic opportunities to its consumers and artisans but also sparkling hope and a fresh outlook for new opportunities in the hemp production sector. However, due to the laws governing the hemp flower still being "all over the place," there has been a repressed uprise in its product market. When the smokable hemp industry broke ground in 2019, hemp operators believed it was one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative segments in the nascent hemp and CBD industry. Manufacturers produced varieties of smokable hemp products, from loose CBD flowers to hemp-CBD pre-rolls, rolling papers, and cigars. By 2019, the markets for most of its products were valued in dollars at eight digits. Unfortunately, as federal and state agreements begin to "come into place and out of lock," these figures aren't looking as promising anymore, especially with the looming uncertainties of the 2023 farm bill on CBD regulation. Nevertheless, reports show the market is viable. According to Hemp Benchmarks, the monthly shifts in product pricing throughout 2021 had little impact on the December spot price for smokable CBD flower, which settled at an annual average of about $265 per pound—$80 more than the previous year. While the smokable hemp market isn't the most attractive opportunity due to its nationwide legal patchwork and the cost-intensive nature of its cultivation, Hemp. Inc reports that smokable hemp may continue to shape the market in 2022. It bases its argument on the fact that, despite opposition from lawmakers, the market has continued to thrive. Many retailers who can sell smokable hemp products are gaining a higher portion of their earnings from its sales. BENEFITS OF SMOKABLE HEMP What started as the hottest CBD trend is creating an entirely new sector within the industry as more and more people choose hemp flowers over processed cannabinoids or CBD products. The beauty of smoking the hemp flower lies in the purity of cultivation, the synergy of its cannabinoids, and the benefits of its constituents. The hemp flower contains over 100 phytocannabinoids, terpenes, vitamins, fatty acids, and other nutrients. Each of these cannabinoids and constituents offers specific benefits which CBD isolate consumers might not be privy to - not just because isolates lack the synergy effect but also because they may lack the processing sequence of smokable hemp. Some of these benefits include: Nutritive Functions: Phytonutrients, cannabinoids, terpenes, and other essential nutrients in the hemp plant have been studied to positively impact human physiology. For instance, hemp is rich in omega fatty acids, protein, and fiber, three nutrients that promote cardiovascular health. Due to their antioxidant content, its terpenes have also been identified with proper skin and joint health. Entourage Effect: This phenomenon borders on research that has proven hemp produces better and more potent results when taken as a whole plant rather than in its processed form. Compounds like terpenes interact with the phytocannabinoids to enhance their potencies and augment their effects. Higher Bioavailability: Similar to smoking regular cannabis, smoking CBD flowers offers a higher bioavailability and is the fastest delivery method of cannabidiol (CBD) intake. Smoking CBD flowers has a bioavailability rate of over 25% and up to 50% because they are not ingested or subject to the stomach's metabolism. The Feeling: Most consumers prefer smokable hemp because it looks, smells, tastes, and appears like marijuana without the intoxicating high. These consumers are also encouraged by the fact that they can enjoy the psychoactive feeling of CBD without the "munchies," an uncontrollable desire to eat. In their words, smokable hemp gives a "non-intoxicating body high" and will make you either energized or sleepy depending on the strain and time of the day it is taken, but never stoned. A Reddit user described smoking CBD buds this way: "For me, smoking CBD is like... I'm high but not high at the same time. I know that's a strange explanation, but it's how I feel. My head is still in the game; I can still think in real time. When on "weed," it's like I have to really focus." SHOULD I BE SCARED OF TAKING SMOKABLE HEMP? Although there are numerous benefits to smoking good hemp strains, there are also certain risks involved with smoking and smoking hemp. SMOKES AND FUMES: The medical community iterates that smoking may harm your lungs. Besides that, the scientific community says the only real risk with smoking hemp is the possibility of CBD interfering with other medications. Some of its favorite patrons are those seeking to take a THC-tolerance break or wean themselves off nicotine, as smokable hemp is said to have a low addictive risk. POSSIBILITY OF INTOXICATION: The tendency of a consumer to get high from taking smokable hemp largely depends on the strain/cultivar of the flower and the amount consumed. Some premium craft flowers may be bred to contain significant amounts of THC and may cause a high despite their much higher CBD content. In such cases, it is advised that the consumer steers clear of all high-risk activities that might require mental clarity. MIGHT SHOW UP IN A DRUG TEST: Similar to its possibility of intoxication, the tendency of one to fail a drug test from smoking hemp depends on the strain/cultivar and the amount consumed. A relatively high-THC and much higher CBD-containing premium craft flower has a greater chance of showing up in a drug test than one that falls within the federal 0.3 percent threshold. A STEADY JOURNEY THROUGH Most of the opposition facing the smokable hemp industry comes from the inadequacy of technologies and devices to effectively distinguish between hemp and cannabis flowers. The new regulations and current status make its market not the best cannabis niche out there - a situation that might persist if restrictions on biomass expansion are reduced. However, most intending entrants and industry analysts share the common thought that "smokable hemp is one [segment] where we've seen it have the most significant price increase of any of the hemp product categories we track." Nevertheless, it is great that producers are conscientiously following the pace of its movement, keeping in mind the following: ● Smokable hemp is a niche market. ● Its products are not legal in all states. ● Its production is more demanding in cost and quality.