CBD cigarettes are a fast growing commodity in the cannabis sector. Many online retailers and brick-and-mortar shops are beginning to stock these products as consumers begin to become more and more interested in them.
What are CBD cigarettes?
First, let’s define CBD. Short for cannabidiol, it is the second most common active ingredient in cannabis, after THC, (tetrahydrocannabinol). It occurs naturally in cannabis, and while it is not considered a psychotropic (it doesn’t cause psychoactive effects on the brain), it does have other effects. CBD is responsible for the feelings of relaxation and calmness associated with cannabis. Recently, however, researchers have started to find evidence that it may be useful in treating many different kinds of health problems.
So, what then, are they?
When most people think of a cigarette rolled with cannabis, they imagine a typical joint, rolled up with psychoactive THC infused marijuana. These, on the other hand, are created in order to look and smoke similarly to tobacco cigarettes without the negative side effects associated with smoking tobacco, while conferring the health benefits of using CBD. They are made with hemp that is grown with a negligible amount of THC present (less than 0.3). By smoking one, the user can get the best CBD benefits without the effects of THC or negative effects of a tobacco cigarette.
So with the basics out of the way, let’s dive into the top 8 most important things to know before you use CBD cigarettes.
1. Why don’t CBD cigarettes get you high?
Many people worry that a CBD cigarette might still get them high. It is made with cannabis after all. So let’s take a look at how, and why, these products won’t get you high.
Non-Psychoactive
The number one misconception about CBD cigarettes is that you get high from them, but that is scientifically impossible. Unlike standard marijuana flower that contains THC, a cigarette made with CBD only contains cannabidiol, the non-psychotropic active component in cannabis. To achieve this, the cannabis is grown from wild hemp strains that start with a lower amount of CBD that then have THC further bred out of it through generations. This results in a flower that is able to be smoked without the sensation of being high.
It’s Not THC!
The feeling of being high from standard cannabis comes from THC binding to the endocannibinoid receptors in the human brain. THC mimics the brains natural cannibinoid neurotransmitters, and fits, like a key, into the natural receptors our brains have for those neurotransmitters, creating an effect. These effects include euophoria, anxiety, short attention span, short-term memory loss, and a myriad of other feelings depending on the individual and the strain of cannabis they have ingested.
Since a CBD cigarette has no THC, when you smoke them, there is nothing to bind to the brain’s cannabinoid receptors, so you don’t experience a feeling of being high.
2. Are Cannabidiol Cigarettes Legal in the United States (And Elsewhere)?
Many people are interested in purchasing and using CBD cigarettes, but worry about their legality in the United States (and other regions). Let’s take a look at their exact legal status.
2018 Farm bill
In 2018, the US Senate removed hemp derived CBD and all naturally occurring cannabinoids from the controlled substance list. This was included in what was known as the Farm Bill. The use of CBD hemp flower was made legal for medical purposes as long as it contained less than or equal to 0.3% THC. Also, some states, such as Virginia, require that the individual have a prescription from their doctor.
International Legal Status
Worldwide, the legal status of CBD hemp flowers varies. Make sure you check the laws in your locality to ensure you are not penalized.
3. Is Smoking CBD bad for you?
A lot of individuals interested in CBD cigarettes are attracted to the reported health benefits, so it makes sense that people would be curious about any potentially negative side effects as well. Many people also wonder if smoking CBD cigarettes is as harmful as tobacco cigarettes or marijuana joints.
Smoking is inherently harmful
The truth is, smoking any substance can have negative consequences for the lungs, especially if not used in moderation. You should consult with your family physician before you begin using any kind of new cannabis, CBD, or hemp product.
A CBD hemp cigarette’s smoke is similar to your standard THC containing cannabis, so any negative side effects of smoking marijuana in general will be the same. Smoking marijuana can harm the lungs by damaging the cell lining with chronic use.
But is it as harmful as tobacco?
However, there is research that indicates that cannabis smoke is less harmful than tobacco smoke. Despite cannabis smoke causing cellular damage, this study found no link with lung cancer or colorectal cancer. Not only did this study find that cannabis smoke was not linked to lung cancer (as opposed to tobacco smoke), they demonstrated that components of cannabis were protective against numerous forms of cancer.
4. Do Cannabidiol cigarettes have health benefits?
A lot of people are interested in CBD cigarettes (and CBD cannabis in general) because of the reported health benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what they might be useful for.
What consumers are reporting about CBD cigarettes
Take a quick glance at Reddit or any other internet forum and you will find people raving about the health benefits they have personally discovered when smoking CBD cannabis. According to the people who smoke it, the best CBD cigarettes confer a variety of great physiological and psychological benefits. These include insomnia relief, appetite enhancement, anxiety relief, mood enhancement, help with depression, and much more.
Current Research
Until recently, CBD cannabis was classified as a drug in the United States. This meant that there wasn’t much research being done in the positive effects it could offer. Since CBD was removed from the restricted substances list in 2018, research has accelerated. Thus far, there have been studies showing CBD and CBD cigarettes’ benefits for arthritis, inflammatory pain, muscle-spasticity in multiple sclerosis, nausea and vomiting, and nerve-related pain and much more.
5. Are they are difficult to purchase?
The legal cannabis industry is expanding so quickly it can be difficult to keep track of where and how we can get our hands on the best CBD cigarettes.
Luckily, CBD cigarettes are not currently difficult to purchase and they’re becoming easier to find all the time. Since the US government eliminated the legal restrictions on CBD in 2018 (as long as it is made from hemp products with less than 0.3% THC) CBD has become much easier to come by.
CBD cigarettes, however, are new to the marketplace, and so their availability is a little less than your standard CBD flower or other products such as tinctures and edibles.
Still, they are available from a few key retailers online and are starting to become more popular and common in brick-and-mortar retail spaces as well. A quick Google search should yield several retailers in the US that can ship them directly. Be sure to check in with your local shops to find out what offers they have as well.
6. Will Hemp cigarettes cause me to fail a drug test?
Many people would like to try CBD cigarettes, but worry about their company’s drug policies and how using CBD might impact their work.
CBD doesn’t show up in standardized drug testing. However, it is important to be careful that your cigarettes are created from hemp flowers that contain, at a maximum, 0.3% THC. This is the legal limit in the United States for CBD, but products may vary. If you are careful to only purchase your CBD cigarette from a reputable source, you shouldn’t have any issue.
7. Is Smoking Hemp useful for chronic pain relief?
One commonly reported benefit of CBD products by users is relief from chronic pain. Science is starting to show that these claims by proponents of CBD users are well founded.
According to a study published in 2018, nearly 62% of people who use CBD products use them to treat a medical condition, and the majority of those people were using CBD to treat chronic pain conditions. CBD can be used for pain relief from a number of ailments. Another recent study showed CBD products may be useful in the treatment of multiple sclerosis and intractable cancer pain.
In short, yes, the best CBD cigarettes, like any CBD product, can be somewhat useful in treating symptoms of chronic pain. However, products with more concentrated amounts of cannabidiol will most likely be more appropriate. And of course, individual needs vary and one should always consult with a health practitioner before beginning new treatments.
8. Can Smoking CBD help me quit smoking?
A lot of people are interested in using CBD cigarettes to help them kick their nicotine habits. But is it really helpful for helping to stop smoking cigarettes?
Do they taste like tobacco?
The best CBD cigarettes are designed to resemble standard tobacco cigarettes as closely as possible. This confers several benefits. One, they smoke great. Second, they can help tobacco smoker quit. Studies have shown that cessation of smoking is easier when the cigarette is replaced by something else. This is called using a nicotine replacement, and it has been shown to double cessation rates.
What are the odds of successfully quitting tobacco using hemp?
If someone switches to a CBD hemp cigarettes from smoking cigarettes, they can double their chances of quitting, and they also might enjoy the variety of health benefits CBD has to offer.
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