CBD is the new star of the health and wellness world. The non-psychotropic cannabinoid is used by many to help relieve pain, get to sleep faster, and to reduce inflammation.

And while CBD oil is grabbing all the headlines, a new product is fast becoming very popular in the UK and Europe – CBD-rich hemp flower, or CBD buds.



Raw, dried hemp buds with high levels of CBD look like regular weed, smell like regular weed, but do not get you high like regular weed.

When smoked, vaped or cooked with, however, they do provide a relaxing body-high and a mind-calming effect.



Because of a lack of mind-altering effects, CBD hemp buds are perfect for daytime smoking sessions, as a tobacco replacement, or as a substitute for THC-rich cannabis, which can have some negative effects such as anxiety and paranoia for some people.



Personally, I like to mix high-CBD hemp flower about 50/50 with regular THC-rich weed. The CBD works to counteract the potent effects of THC, allowing me to experience a more relaxed and enjoyable high.

What is CBD flower?

CBD flower is the raw, dried flower of the hemp plant. Hemp being a legally-grown variety of cannabis that has low levels of THC, the compound responsible for the ‘high’ associated with cannabis use.



Instead, hemp can produce high levels of CBD and other cannabinoids like CBG and CBC.

These cannabinoids, along with the rest of the plant’s essential oils, are made in the flower, which, after harvesting, can be cured (dried), trimmed, and then smoked/vaped/processed just like regular cannabis.

Is CBD flower legal in the UK?

High-grade CBD flower has been on sale in the UK since no earlier than late 2017, when I wrote this, but is it actually legal?

It’s not entirely clear. While CBD-rich ‘hemp’ is being openly imported into the UK and sold in full view of the authorities with little interference, it is still cannabis and is probably illegal.

However, any laws against are not being widely enforced and there are signs that even police forces are unsure if hemp flower can be lawful.

How to take CBD flower?

As it’s just like normal weed but without the high, you can use it just like you regular weed. That means:

Smoking

You can grind up and roll CBD flower into a joint, smoke it in a pipe, or even a bong. Of course, smoking is not the healthiest options as it can damage the lungs.

Vaping

I love vaping CBD flower. And the quality and affordability of dry herb vapes are improving all the time. They offer a safe way to inhale cannabinoids as they don’t combust the plant the plant material, as combustion creates many harmful chemicals. Here is our list of the best dry herb vapes in the UK.

Eating

If you have any experience making hash cakes or weed brownies, then transfer your skill to hemp flower and make yourself some CBD treats. Just like regular weed, CBD flower can be infused and used in countless tasty dishes and gastronomic creations.

Make your own cosmetics

Thanks to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, CBD is wonderful for your skin. Therefore, you could use extraction and infusion techniques to make your own CBD cosmetics.

The 10 Best CBD Hemp Flower Shops In The UK

There are CBD flower shops popping up all the time. And, due to the nature of the product, it can be hard to know which shops to trust.

Not only that, you need assurances that the product you are buying is safe, legal, and what it says it is.

Luckily for you, I have personally tried hundreds of CBD hemp strains from dozens of CBD shops throughout Europe and the UK.

So, if you want to buy CBD flower in the UK, here’s my list of the 10 best shops to buy it from and the strains they sell.

The fantastic team at Hemp Elf are leading this exciting new industry with an ever-growing range of exceptional CBD flowers – the best we’ve tried in the UK.

Our favourites are Strawberry Kush, Amnesia, and one of their newer offerings, Zkittlez. The best thing about these flowers is that, unlike most other legal CBD flowers in the UK, they actually smell and taste like the strains they are named after.

Oh, and their CBD hash is unbelievable.

Lemon Skunk Review. Strawberry Kush Review

2. Dope Buds – 15% off with code ‘HIGH10’



Dope Buds are your one-stop online CBD dispensary. They’re always getting fresh harvests of top-shelf classics like Gorilla Glue and Girl Scout Cookies (which is a favourite of mine) as well as new and exotic hemp strains from all over Europe.

While the quality of their products has increased since they first launched, prices have continually lowered and they now sell all premium strains for just £5.99 per gram. A great price considering many premium strains are on sale for up to £15 per gram.

Get 15% off from Dope buds with code H&P15.

Ice Head Shop was already a leading head shop before they introduced a full range of CBD products including a nice variety of CBD flowers. Their buds are sold ground up as tea, which

Keep an eye on these guys because their range is always being updated with new and better quality flowers and hash.

Another new shop to make it onto our list, Clever Botanics are the ultimate professionals in everything they do. Their service is incredible, delivery is super quick, and their packaging is the most sophisticated we’ve encountered.

Oh, and their range of CBD buds is one of the best around. Try their Skunk if you fancy something really unique, while their Amnesia is also a stand out.

New to the UK scene, Bud Mother have one of the most interesting ranges of CBD hemp flower we’ve come across. They are very selective in what they stock, choosing only the best flowers from expert growers across Europe and the U.S.

They also offer a very cool pack of pre-roll CBD joints, as well as a nice selection of terpy extracts. Keep an eye on these guys as they often get small batches of special edition strains.

HempHash have some of the best strains on the market – smelly and dusted in trichomes – with some really good deals on budget strains, too.

Pineapple Express and Purple Marzipan are well worth a try, while for those on a budget should try Strawberry for less than £5/g.

The team at Uncle Herb are dedicated to bringing the best CBD bud to the UK market. That’s why their range of distinctive hemp strains is among the best.

They’re often have new strains in and run excellent promotions on budget strains.

With a brick and mortar shop in Swansea High Street as well as a popular online shop, The Brain Box Shop is one of the most well-established CBD flower vendors in the UK.

Not only do they offer an evolving range of unique CBD strains, however, they’ve also got loads of tasty CBD edibles, e-liquids and other CBD products you won’t find anywhere else.

Use discount code ‘polite420‘ for 10% off at TBBS.com

They’re back. One of our favourite vendors have reemerged and are now selling high-grade hemp flower in the form of hemp tea.

They still have some amazing hemp strains for as low as £3 a gram, as well as some very good value kief products.

Jimmy Greens has some amazing CBD strains for some even better prices – from £5.50 to £8.50 per gram.

We’ve tried the White Diesel and it’s absolutely fantastic.

And here’re 3 more that deserve to be featured in this list:

10. CBD Hemp Weed – Use code ‘high&polite10’ for 10% discount

12. The Good Budz

– This list is open to edits as new shops and strains appear on the market. Please feel free to get in contact with feedback on any shop/strain.

Other verified CBD flower sellers in the UK/EU:

* Tested and verified

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