In the US, smoking hemp is the new cool.
This wonder plant’s unprecedented popularity is evident by the fact that after alcohol, it is the most consumed drug with 11.8 million users in 2018.
When it comes to having smoked it at least once, the number jumps to over 94 million.
Those are some big numbers.
You will find dispensaries everywhere in the states now. The number of online stores can’t even be counted.
The competition level is unreal, while the innovation factor keeps on fascinating new and current users with the plethora of different products available for consumption.
Let’s take a step back to understand the dynamics of the hemp industry and ask the following question: Can you smoke hemp?
Breaking down the term: Hemp
Barring the complicated details, hemp comes from the cannabis plant, similar to marijuana, with one key distinction: Less than 0.3% THC content!
So you can think of hemp as the angelic cousin of marijuana?
Technically yes, as it provides you with the same relaxing experience.
It will induce all those healthy positives and can be used for medical purposes.
Plus, it is legal.
The best thing is: It won’t get you high, unlike marijuana.
Hemp is widely used in a variety of forms. For instance, you can consume hemp seeds or get the oil extracted from it.
You can even use the hemp strain to smoke using your vape device. This method allows you to choose exciting flavors as well!
Finally, you can use the hemp plant in a rather unorthodox manner.
Think clothes, textiles, rope, and paper.
Smoking Hemp: Why not cigarettes?
What if we tell you that vaping is 95% safer than smoking cigarettes?
That’s the official figure cited by Public Health England and unanimously believed by the medical and research fraternity.
It is often stated that the tobacco content in cigarettes is awful for your health, particularly the lungs. A list of negatives associated with smoking tobacco is listed here.
Now that is not to say that hemp is free from trouble. Of course, it isn’t.
It is a drug, after all. But on a comparative basis, the pros of hemp far outweigh the costs of cigarettes.
Beyond the typical debate, hemp has a range of benefits, owing to CBD, terpenes, and even THC.
No wonder the shift from tobacco to hemp products is apparent in the country.
History of Hemp
Time for a little history!
So how did the US end up being one of the biggest consumers of hemp?
The history is rather interesting.
Can you believe that during the World War II, the US incentivized the production hemp under the “Hemp For Victory” program?
Later on, the attitude towards hemp took 180-degree shifts due to the prevalent drug wars across the country.
The events culminated with the passing of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970 that classified hemp as a Schedule-I drug.
Fast forward to the 21st century; hemp makes a drastic come back immediately after the 2018 Farm Bill.
In the following year, it was discovered that 14 percent of Americans consume CBD products.
Now that’s a history with extreme ups and downs!
You are lucky to be a part of this side of the history that has widely legalized hemp consumption.
Is it totally legal?
Yes and no.
Let us explain.
Hemp has achieved a legal status after the 2018 Farm Bill. That much is widely known across the US.
However, there is a caveat. The laws distinguish between recreational hemp and medicinal hemp.
As stated in the article by Business Insider, marijuana is legal in 11 states, whereas medical hemp can be consumed in 33 states.
Therefore, you really need to be careful about the laws in your state.
Also, bear in mind that many employers and academic institutes conduct screening tests before inducting you.
This policy discourages the unbounded and unchecked consumption of marijuana, weed, and even medicinal hemp.
Nevertheless, the laws are progressing favorably, and the social attitude surrounding the topic of smoking hemp has become considerably better than what it used to be in the past decades.
How to Smoke Hemp?
Smoking hemp may not come naturally to everyone, especially if you are using a vape device to smoke hemp.
For the technologically-stunted fellas out there, smoking hemp can get tricky at times.
Let’s touch upon the major ideas associated with the process of smoking hemp!
Inhale and Exhale
You can’t just go bunkers when smoking hemp.
Even if you hang out with friends and casually smoking hemp, it is best to subtly focus on your smoking pattern.
For starters, inhale properly and deeply with some gap in between each inhalation.
Feel your lungs reaching two-third capacity while you smoke those hemp buds. This will help you to make the most out of each puff.
Additionally, you should take some breaks instead of smoking like a fast-paced machine. That may lead to a hangover and ruin your smoking experience.
A Word on Dosage
There is no correct way to go about the dosage.
Either you get stuck in the plethora of variables that influence the right dosage for your particular case.
Or you can push your ego aside and start small.
Think of it like a bodybuilder. Too many would focus on the weight and less on their body’s limits.
Senselessly racking up those barbells would be an act of short-term gratification at best.
Start small. Maybe just a pinch or a few grams.
And then build your way up.
This approach allows your body to adapt to the dosage level gradually.
Smoking versus other methods
Is there something to keep in mind when smoking hemp if you are used to CBD gummies or oil tinctures?
Absolutely!
CBD gummies and oil tincture are amazing in their own ways. But they act slowly.
Biology lesson: when you consume CBD gummies or intake oil tinctures, the hemp content has to pass through the digestive process before reaching your bloodstream.
This means two things:
- More time is taken to feel the effects of hemp
- Loss of potency and concentration in the digestion process
On the contrary, smoking hemp will give you the desired hit quickly and effectively.
Entourage Effect
This term sounds more difficult than the underlying concept behind it.
Simply put, there is a synergy behind smoking hemp.
Due to the presence of different cannabinoids, especially CBD, you receive lots of benefits in the form of pain management, better sleep, and anxiety reduction.
The plant compounds of cannabis help you to receive the full advantage when they are working in synch.
This is the reason why people prefer Full Spectrum CBD or hemp products instead of isolates.
How does smoking hemp work?
The human body is a wonderful feat of nature.
It consists of a dedicated system – endocannabinoid system (ECS) – that takes care of your sleep, immunity, pain response, etc.
Since the body produces endocannabinoids, CBD has shown a positive impact on the ECS by reducing inflammation.
This happens after the chemical influences the neural receptors due to the ECS.
Consequently, the internal functionality of your body is enhanced through the consumption of hemp products.
However, it always pays well to inquire from the experts whether CBD products would be good for your overall wellbeing.
Despite the benefits, not everyone experiences similar benefits. Suppose you have an underlying medical condition and are following some prescription. In that case, it’s advised to check up with your health provider to ensure no interaction between hemp and your medicine takes place.
Can I go wrong with smoking hemp?
Perhaps.
Especially if the product you bought is of inferior quality.
After the unprecedented law that legalized hemp production and consumption in many US states, the influx of producers and retailers selling hemp products to the public is huge.
Naturally, not all of them are good.
How can you avoid the black sheep?
We recommend the following tips:
- Ensure that the hemp is locally grown
- Demand a lab test to ascertain the THC level
- Inquire about the preservatives and heavy metal status of the hemp product
- Observe the reviews and popularity of a dispensary online and from your social circle
- Follow the instructions about the storage of your hemp product
Final Thoughts
You can smoke hemp.
Most of us can.
In fact, many of your friends are already doing it.
This isn’t to say that you have to follow them. But given the attractive nature of hemp in terms of its recreational use and health benefits, staying away from smoking hemp sounds difficult.
Luckily, hemp’s legal status has ensured that the populace is not deprived of this marvelous natural product.
We are confident that for an average US citizen, smoking hemp carries no negative externalities known to us.
Just make sure that the product you buy is of top quality. We can’t emphasize enough on this.
Fortunately, the hemp community is filled with veteran junkies and CBD users who are always ready to help a fellow newbie.
The Internet is your best friend.
Just be cautious before trusting any site or source blindly. Beyond that, have a memorable hemp smoking experience!
