Though cannabis concentrates, pre-made edibles, and vapes are all relatively popular on the cannabis scene, for many of us, there’s just no beating good ol’ flower. But if you’re new to the plant and starting your cannabis journey, you may be wondering what exactly cannabis flower is, and why it’s made such a huge splash in popular culture throughout the decades.
First things first: “flower” is the dried flower—or buds—of the female cannabis plant, and it’s where all the magic happens. To give you a better background on cannabis flower and what makes it so special, follow along as we discuss the major types of cannabis flower, along with tips on how to get the very most from your dispensary trips. Some of the questions we’ll tackle include:
- What is cannabis flower?
- Why choose cannabis flower over other formats?
- What are the types of cannabis flower?
- How do people use cannabis flower?
- How do you keep cannabis flower fresh and store it responsibly?
By the end, you’ll know everything you need about cannabis flower, and why it remains the gold standard—or is that the green standard?—of the weed world. So, the next time you visit your local dispensary, you can shop flower buds with confidence. Let’s dive in.
What Is Cannabis Flower? Understanding The Plant
From one perspective, cannabis flower is just that: The flower of the female cannabis plant, which, like any other plant, grows from a seed or a clone. But from another point of view, it’s a miraculous miniature factory, producing literally hundreds of compounds such as the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids that impart the plant’s effects, flavors, and aromas.
Study a dried cannabis flower and you’ll see what looks like a layer of white, silver, or amber dust. That sheen is actually miniature mushroom-shaped glands called trichomes, and they’re what produce most of the plant’s enigmatic compounds. The most important of these compounds are called cannabinoids, a family which includes THC and CBD, considered the plant’s “active ingredients,” as well as dozens of so-called minor cannabinoids like CBN and CBC.
Then there are the fragrant oils known as terpenes, which give different strains their specific aromatic and flavor profiles. As a growing body of research suggests, terpenes may impart much more than scents and tastes. It’s now believed that they’re major contributors to the entourage effect, a phenomenon in which different cannabis compounds interact to strengthen or modulate each other’s effects.
Why Choose Cannabis Flower?
Weed flower has no end of competitors, ranging from vapes to edibles to topicals and beyond. But for reasons ranging from familiarity to price to ease of use, it’s no surprise many of us still opt for flower. It’s available in an extensive range of potencies as measured by its content of THC, the primary intoxicating cannabinoid. While the strongest flower can top out at roughly 35% THC, there are many other options beneath that, including some high-CBD options that are barely intoxicating at all.
Then there’s the ritual of weed flower. For many of us, there’s no beating the tactile pleasures of teasing apart fragrant, densely packed cannabis flower, and rolling it up or loading it into a pipe. It offers a direct connection to the elemental nature of this simplest of cannabis formats. Plus, compared with high-tech options such as cannabis concentrates, flower is still a relatively affordable option.
Finally, flower is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes. Inside our bodies, those cannabinoids interact with something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). A remarkable regulatory network, the ECS helps us regulate such functions as:
- Appetite and metabolism
- Immune response
- Memory
- Sleep
- Intra-cellular communication
That’s why, for so many people, cannabis flower remains the go-to choice, offering both a sensory experience and a versatile, approachable way to enjoy the plant. Whether you’re seeking deep relaxation, gentle relief, or simply the comfort of a familiar ritual, flower continues to deliver.
What Is Cannabis Flower: The Different Types of Flower
When visiting your local dispensary, you may have seen cannabis products labeled “indica,” “sativa,” or “hybrid.” While first intended merely as botanical terms, they have become a helpful way to describe the general effects of a given cannabis strain. Here’s what they mean:
- Indica: Originally native to India and Central Asia, indica plants were prized for their powerful psychoactive properties. The plants themselves are typically squat and bushy with short, densely bunched leaves. Their effects typically manifest as deeply soothing and relaxing sensations that are most apparent in the body.
- Sativa: Initially referring to the hemp plants grown in Europe and Eurasia for their fiber and seeds, these days, sativa plants are a cannabis variety that usually imparts a characteristically focusing, energizing, and stimulating psychoactivity that focuses on the mind (a “head high”) rather than the body. In contrast with indicas, sativa plants grow tall, tree-like, and stalky with long and widely spaced leaves.
- Hybrid: As a cross between indica and sativa varieties of cannabis, hybrid plants combine specific aspects of both to create intriguing new possibilities. Taking physical as well as psychoactive characteristics from both major styles, hybrid plants may impart a stunning range of effects that draw on the specific strains in their lineage.
Understanding the different types of cannabis flower can help you better anticipate how a strain might feel—and ultimately guide you toward the experience you’re looking for. From the calm of an indica, the clarity of a sativa, or the balanced effects of a hybrid, there’s a flower to fit every preference and need.
How To Use Cannabis Flower
As the most elemental form of cannabis, there are plenty of ways to enjoy weed bud. But when you’re first learning how to use cannabis flower, no matter what method you use, there’s one thing to keep in mind: Start low, go slow. Sometimes, the effects of cannabis consumption can creep up on you, and while having too much THC is very rarely dangerous, it can be unpleasant.
That said, here are a few of the most popular ways to enjoy cannabis flower:
- Pre-Rolls or Joints: A tightly rolled cannabis “cigarette” containing ground cannabis flower, joints and pre-rolls offer fast-acting effects in a small, portable, and easily shareable format.
- Pipes or Bongs: Cannabis flower can also be ground or crumbled and smoked through a pipe or bong. The most popular options include the simple hand pipe, a more involved water pipe, or any other device that allows you to ignite the plant matter and then inhale the smoke. Both options contain a “bowl” that can be loaded with your chosen flower.
- Vaporizers: By heating either ground cannabis flower (or a cannabis concentrate) to the point at which the cannabinoids become volatile, vaporizers—aka “vapes”—allow us to avoid inhaling potentially irritating smoke. Instead, they emit a cooling mist that many feel is far easier on the lungs.
No matter which method you choose, the key is finding what feels right for your body and your lifestyle. With a little experimentation and a mindful approach, cannabis flower can offer a deeply rewarding and customizable experience.
Tips for Responsible Use & Storage of Weed Flower
To get the most out of your cannabis flower, proper storage and mindful consumption are key.
Storage Best Practices
Heat, light, oxygen, and time are the enemies of fresh weed. To minimize their impact, cannabis flower is best stored in airtight glass or metal containers, which can help protect against humidity while retaining its aroma. Metal containers have the added benefit of blocking light, which has a particularly adverse effect on the breakdown of THC.
Mindful Consumption
Responsible use isn’t just about how much you consume—it’s also about how often. If you notice your usual dose feels less effective, consider taking a tolerance break or adjusting your routine. These practices can help restore sensitivity to THC and support a more balanced, beneficial experience over time.
Safety First
Always store your cannabis flower in a secure location, out of reach of children and anyone for whom it’s not intended. Prioritizing safety ensures that cannabis remains a positive and respectful part of your routine.
FAQs About Cannabis Flower
What is cannabis flower?
Cannabis flower is the dried and cured flower, or “bud,” of the female cannabis plant. As such, it contains the bulk of the plant’s active cannabinoids and terpenes.
Is weed a flower?
Yes! The cannabis flower we smoke is actually the dried and cured flower of the female cannabis plant.
What’s the difference between bud and flower?
They’re both terms for the same thing. Whether you call it “weed flower,” “weed bud,” or “cannabis flower,” it all refers to the dried and cured flower of the female cannabis plant.
Is THCA flower the same as weed?
Yes. In its raw state, cannabis contains a non-psychoactive cannabinoid known as THCA, which is the chemical precursor to intoxicating THC. When we apply heat to cannabis flower, the THCA is instantly converted to psychoactive THC.
How long does a cannabis flower high last?
Depending on factors such as your age, prior cannabis experience, and other variables, you can expect a weed high to last from between 1 and 2 hours, in some cases even longer. To learn more, visit our guide on How Long Does a Cannabis High Last?
What does cannabis flower smell like?
Depending on the specific blend of terpenes, or aromatic oils, weed flower can smell floral, skunky, earthy, sweet, and have many other scents.
Explore Strains and Fresh Cannabis Flower at Mission Dispensaries
Ready to explore cannabis flower at your nearest Mission dispensary? Start by choosing the Illinois or Massachusetts location closest to you and browsing our expansive selection. Better yet, visit us in person and ask your friendly budtender for tips on purchasing cannabis flower.
Our team is here to help you find the right strain, format, and potency for your needs—whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned consumer. We carry a wide range of fresh flower from trusted brands, including our own in-house lines like Mission Cannabis, Legends, Mini Budz, and The Hunt. With new strains arriving regularly, there’s always something fresh to discover.