If you love the therapeutic effects of cannabis but aren’t so keen on the high, then CBD nugs are for you. Also known as hemp flower, this all-natural solution is an efficient, enjoyable, and delicious way of getting your daily dose of CBD.
CBD buds continue to grow in popularity, with several brands making flower products. In this post, I want to focus on loose CBD nugs, exploring what they work for, how to take them, and what makes a top-shelf flower product. Here are my top five CBD nugs of 2023!
1. CBD Genesis – CBD Hemp Nugs
Unwind and chill out with hemp nugs from CBD Genesis. Organically grown and rich in CBD, these buds offer a pure and smooth smoking experience with lots of flavors.
The terpenes in Green House Bubba Kush promote relaxation and pain relief, while the Green House Purple Punch strain is great for reducing stress and helping you sleep. Each tub contains 3.5 grams of flower with rich concentrations of CBD and minor cannabinoids.
While CBD Genesis hemp buds smell like marijuana, they are Farm Bill compliant and legal, with less than 0.3% THC. This product is third-party tested.
2. For The People – CBD Flower Nugs (27%)
Amplify your relief with 27% CBD flower nugs from For The People. These guys have searched long and hard for the perfect strain and have finally found it with the intense Wine Widow hemp hybrid.
Several CBD flowers boast more than 20% CBD – but 27% is unheard of! This US-grown strain has a well-balanced profile and provides a delightful mix of sedating and stimulating effects. If you need something a little extra, look no further than this offering from For The People.
Wine Widow nugs are third-party tested for purity and potency by Think20 Labs and have less than 0.3% THC. In addition to the sky-high levels of CBD, Wine Widow also contains healthy amounts of CBC, CBDV, CBG, and CBN.
3. Pinnacle Hemp – CBD Flower
Toke up and indulge in the mellowing effects of CBD with these high-strength nugs from Pinnacle Hemp. US-grown and rich in terpenes, Pinnacle’s CBD flower is perfect for smoking, vaping, or making edibles.
Unlike low-quality strains, these nugs have a pungent, authentic aroma that translates into a mouth-watering flavor that leaves the taste buds tingling. Choose between a selection of sativas, indicas, and hybrids for stimulating soothing, or balancing effects.
All Pinnacle Hemp strains are third-party tested and have less than 0.3% THC. Available in two sizes: 1/8 oz (3.5 grams), 1/4 oz (7 grams)
Strains: Cherry Wine (Hybrid), Grape Ape (Indica), Super Lemon Haze (Sativa), Headband (Hybrid)
4. Canna Bloom Farmacy – CBD Flower
These premium-grade hemp nugs from Canna Bloom Farmacy should appeal to all CBD users. With a whopping 17 strains to pick from, Canna Bloom has every CBD experience covered!
You won’t find any stalks or stems here – these guys carefully trim their plants, ensuring only the potent flowers remain. Each purchase comes with 3.5 grams of CBD nugs packaged in airtight resealable bags to preserve freshness. Third-party tested with less than 0.3% THC.
Strains: #5, Electra, Siskiyou Gold, Mountain Mango, Abacus, Special Sauce, Wife, Bubba Kush, Trump, Frosted Lime, Rainbow Madonna, Cherry Uno, CBG, Sour Space Candy, Cherry Wine, Cats Meow, Stormy Daniels
5. Organic CBD Nugs – CBD Hemp Flower
Last up, we have a range of hemp buds from Organic CBD Nugs. With a beautiful appearance and gorgeous scent, these classic strains produce mellowing effects and provide genuine non-intoxicating relief.
CBD levels vary from strain to strain, but the likes of Elektra register at almost 20%, which is impressive, albeit not record-breaking. But these organic, hand-trimmed buds more than deliver in other areas.
The third-party lab reports from Evio Labs show that Organic CBD Nugs’ hemp flowers also have meaningful levels of CBC and CBDV, two useful minor cannabinoids.
Strains: Elektra, Lifter, Sour Diesel, Hawaiian Haze, Fruity Pebbles, Pineapple Express, Bubble Kush, Sour Space Candy, Special Sauce, Jack Frost CBG
What is CBD?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a natural, non-intoxicating substance derived from cannabis. One of more than 100 cannabinoids found in marijuana, CBD is the most prominent naturally-occurring non-psychoactive compound present in the plant.
In the United States, legal CBD must come from hemp, a type of cannabis defined as having a maximum of 0.3% THC on a dry weight basis. Any “hemp” product with more than 0.3% THC would be legally classified as marijuana and a Schedule 1 drug.
CBD is a fascinating compound that has become extraordinarily popular around the planet over the past few years. While some may exaggerate and tout CBD as a cure-all, the reality is that millions of people are getting fantastic results with CBD.
The emergence and success of CBD are undoubtedly down to its unique effect on the body. In recent decades, researchers have uncovered an immense biological network called the endocannabinoid system (ECS), in which CBD interacts.
The ECS consists of cannabinoid receptors and neurotransmitters (aka endocannabinoids) such as anandamide. From what scientists can tell, CBD helps regulate the ECS by increasing active amounts of endocannabinoids and antagonizing CB1 and CB2 receptors.
CBD’s effects likely extend beyond the ECS. Indeed, we already know that CBD interacts with 5-HT1A, TRPV-1, and GABA-A receptors. These receptors influence mood, pain perception, anxiety levels, and more.
What are CBD nugs?
CBD nugs describe hemp flower products rich in CBD. Chemistry-wise, CBD nugs are the total opposite of marijuana, with high concentrations of CBD and tiny amounts of THC. But in terms of appearance, aroma, and flavor, there’s little to choose between them!
CBD nugs have that classic cannabis smell and flavor thanks to rich levels of terpenes. These aroma molecules differ from strain to strain, hence why some CBD nugs have cerebral, stimulating properties, and others promote relaxation and calm.
Frustratingly, CBD nugs may be mistaken for marijuana, even though hemp flower has been legal since the Farm Bill passed in 2018. Given CBD nugs look and smell the same, you may want to be careful and discreet about your use if living in a location where weed is still banned.
Why do people take CBD nugs?
For rapid relief: Smoking or vaping CBD nugs delivers fast-acting effects which tincture oils, edibles, or capsules cannot match. For some ailments, such as anxiety and physical pain, rapid relief is vital and the only way to effectively combat acute symptoms.
Recreationally: Some folks take CBD nugs for recreational purposes, even though they aren’t psychoactive and cannot get you high. The relaxing and mellowing properties of CBD make it a pleasant social lubricant.
If you are averse to the intoxicating effects of THC, you can still join in with the fun by smoking CBD nugs!
To reduce marijuana tolerance: CBD nugs are also effective at reducing marijuana tolerance. If you need more and more THC to get the same high nowadays, the chances are your cannabinoid receptors have become desensitized.
Switching things up by smoking CBD for a few days is a clever trick to restore balance in your ECS and lower THC tolerance without having to go cold turkey.
How to use CBD nugs
Smoke them: Smoke CBD nugs by grinding them up, rolling a joint, or packing a bowl. For marijuana lovers, smoking is a ritual, even though it has harmful health effects. But there’s no better way of getting instant benefits in such a delicious manner.
Vape them: Protect your lungs without compromising on the speedy relief by vaping CBD nugs. Heating rather than burning the herb reduces your exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens. You need a device compatible with dry herbs to vape CBD nugs.
Make edibles: For long-lasting CBD effects, edibles trump vaping and smoking. But if you don’t fancy shop-bought edibles, why not make your own with CBD nugs? You could make homemade brownies, cookies, chocolates, or even ice cream!
What to Look For When Buying CBD Nugs
Many companies sell CBD nugs, with these products starting to rival other forms of CBD in terms of popularity. But with so many brands and strains to choose from, it’s easy to get paralysis by analysis.
I want to make buying CBD hemp flower as simple as possible for you. All five of the brands I’ve listed make top-shelf CBD nugs that have passed safety and potency checks. But let’s explore in detail what attributes to look for in a brand and how to find the perfect strain.
Third-party lab reports
Third-party testing from independent laboratories picks up the slack in an industry not yet regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). With the FDA out of the picture, it’s up to third-party labs to check CBD nugs for purity and cannabinoid concentrations.
For legit hemp brands, third-party testing has been a blessing. Being able to display a certificate of analysis next to a product is a marker of authenticity. If a company selling CBD nugs cannot give you these assurances, I recommend giving them a wide berth.
Cannabinoid profile
The percentage of CBD in a hemp flower strain determines how much you should pay for it. Typically, CBD levels top out at just over 20%, although For The People has recently cultivated a CBD strain with a whopping 27% CBD!
A 20% CBD flower will have 200mg of CBD per gram. Hemp nugs also contain small amounts of secondary cannabinoids, including cannabinol (CBN) and cannabigerol (CBG). These cannabinoids also impact overall effects – CBN, for instance, makes strains more relaxing.
It’s worth double-checking the third-party report, as THC levels often exceed 0.3% – such flower would be illegal even if marketed as hemp.
Terpene profile
Make sure you pick a strain with an appropriate terpene profile! If you want CBD nugs that will help you unwind and drift off to sleep, don’t pick buds teeming with sativa terpenes!
Brands should clarify CBD strains’ general effects in the relevant product descriptions. Remember that sativa nugs are stimulating, indica buds are sedating, and hybrid nugs have well-balanced, mellowing effects.
Organic, non-GMO hemp
The best CBD nugs are organically grown, using non-GMO practices. Some companies will spin a yarn about how they source hemp from small, family-owned farms, but you shouldn’t believe everything you read!
Verify any claims about organic hemp by checking the third-party reports, specifically for pesticides and heavy metals. Treat lab reports that only focus on cannabinoid and terpene concentrations with skepticism – they may be covering up some purity issues.
How to Store Your CBD Nugs
Prevent oxidation and potency loss by storing CBD nugs in an airtight container or jar. I also have a UV-protected jar that works against light degradation, keeping my nugs fresher for longer!
Beyond the container, keep your nugs in a cool, dark, and dry climate. Nugs left in moist conditions quickly become moldy and unsafe to consume.
How Long Do CBD Nugs Last?
High-quality CBD nugs that have been properly dried and cured should last up to 12 months with the correct storage.
This emphasizes the importance of purchasing CBD nugs from reputable and trustworthy vendor. If your nugs aren’t in perfect condition to start with, they won’t last as long, no matter how well you store them.
Purchasing CBD Nugs Online vs. Shops Near Me
I find shopping for CBD nugs online more convenient than purchasing them at a local store. Unless you have a local dispensary, convenience stores, and headshops are among the only brick-and-mortar stores where you can buy CBD nugs.
Sadly, these physical shops care more about making money than selling genuine CBD flower. When buying online, respectable vendors always have third-party certificates of analysis to hand – the same does not always apply to non-specialist shops.
