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The level of CBD flowers is an extremely sensitive subject. Indeed, it's always a little tricky to apply well-written mathematical rules to natural processes. natural processes such as cannabinoid synthesis.
And yet, as a powerful selling point, it's important to understand the ins and outs, especially if you're selling CBD flowers.
That's why we're going to try to explain as objectively as possible why CBD levels of 5% coexist with levels of up to 20%.
What determines the concentration of CBD in a hemp flower?
As we said earlier, cannabidiol synthesis is not governed by any mathematical formula. However, understanding the synthesis process provides an order of magnitude of the average actual CBD content of commercially available CBD flowers.
Variety phenotype
We'll see later that the cultivation method used influences the concentration of CBD in the flowers. But that's not the only factor at play - far from it!
In reality, what primarily determines a flower's CBD content is its genetics.
As you probably know, each variety has its own phenotype. Some will be more predisposed to synthesize cannabidiol than others. We can thus distinguish three main genetic profiles Cannabis Sativa Linée :
👉 THC dominant dominant: these varieties are known to naturally synthesize large quantities of tetrahydrocannabinol. This is recreational cannabis, which is illegal in France;
👉 CBD-dominant These varieties synthesize more CBD than THC, but in France, only varieties with THC levels below 0.3% are registered in the European Union catalog;
👉 Balanced THC/CBD These varieties have just as much THC as CBD. In countries where medical cannabis is authorized, these are the preferred varieties, because if there's enough CBD present, THC also has many therapeutic virtues.
All legally available flowers are CBD-dominant. However, this does not mean that these flowers can synthesize an infinite quantity of cannabidiol!
The THC:CBD ratio
It's important to understand this: THC and CBD are synthesized from the same molecule, CBGa, which is the acid precursor of cannabigerol (CBG).
We have written an article on the subject:What is CBG?
In other words, THC and CBD concentrations are intrinsically linked! In other words, the more CBD, the less THC, and vice-versa.
Some botanists have attempted to theorize the THC:CBD ratio. That's why you'll find many resources where they talk about a 1:20 ratio for varieties legal in France and Europe. In other words, on average.., a flower synthesizes 20 times more CBD than THC. This gives 6% CBD for flowers sold in France (0.3 x 20).
In reality, and as hemp farmers, we know this, it is possible to obtain CBD levels of up to 17%.. This substantial discrepancy can be explained in part by the fact that it's impossible to theorize a natural process, simply because so many (variable) environmental factors come into play!
environmental factors
As we said a moment ago, we must never lose sight of the fact that we're talking about a natural process. So there's an element of mystery, and an element of chance.
Therefore, if some CBD flowers show enviable rates while others are much more modest, it is simply because there are some varieties, some seeds, whose genetics are out of the ordinary.
It can also happen that one crop has grown in conditions seemingly identical to another, and yet this crop shows an exceptionally high rate.
As a general rule, indoor CBD flowers flowers tend to synthesize more CBD than outdoor flowers, as they grow in privileged conditions. But it's not uncommon for flowers grown outdoors to come up with a few pleasant surprises!
For example, the Jack Herrer from our latest harvest, grown outdoors on our Agrican farm surprised us with a CBD content approaching 14%which is exceptionally high for an outdoor flower!
What is the maximum CBD content of flowers sold in France?
As you can see, there are a whole host of factors that will determine the final CBD level:
👉 Seed quality ;
👉 Genetic profile ;
👉 The THC level authorized by law ;
👉 Growing conditions ;
👉 Not forgetting: the luck (or misfortune) factor.
And to make things even more complicated, you also need to be aware that that not all laboratories use the same calculation techniques to measure cannabidiol concentration. As a result, the difference between two analysis results from two different laboratories can vary from from 3% to 5%!
Do high CBD levels mean quality flowers?
Yes and no.
YesCBD is the plant's main legal cannabinoid, and it's full of benefits.
Nobecause CBD isn't everything! Terpenes terpenes also play a very important role Terpenes act in synergy with other cannabinoids to potentiate the effects of CBD (this is known as the entourage effect) and, above all, it is thanks to them that the flower offers a festival of flavours and aromas to those who consume it.
In short, a flower rich in CBD but low in terpenes is of little interest. Not to mention the fact that a flower may have a high CBD content, but be be full of pesticide residues...
How can you be sure of a flower's CBD content?
If you have the slightest doubt about the CBD (and THC!) content of a flower, you should know that you have the right to demand a laboratory analysis.
Don't be satisfied with a PDF file or a screenshot, ask for access to the original document. Some people do not hesitate to falsify analyses...
But as we mentioned earlier, this result is reliable to within 3 - 5%..
Selling CBD flowers: how to deal with unfair competition?
Because competition is fierce, and because they have to sell, many retailers find it hard to resist the urge to boost their CBD levels. However, this is not a sustainable strategy, and certainly not the only alternative!
build on a relationship of trust
We are neither the first nor the last to expose the truth about CBD levels in flowers. Sooner or later, this type of information will become public knowledge, and will undoubtedly be relayed by social networks and the media. So it's your long-term credibility that's at stake!
What's more, aggressive marketing techniques are paying off less and less. Consumers are increasingly choosing values over sales arguments. This is all the more true in a sector like hemp, where it's all about respect for the environment, health and well-being .
Rather than smoke and mirrors, give your future customers the means to understand your ethical and moral approach. Explain why your flowers have less CBD than those of your competitors.
Don't make CBD levels your Trojan horse!
If you really love your products, and in this case, your hemp flowers, then you know: CBD levels are far from their only strong point.
A hemp flower is :
A beautiful budmore or less compact, more or less serious
Who has grown indoors, in greenhouses or in the wild
From a specially selected seed selected
Of a variety that may have story to tell
Its scent is distinctive, sometimes pungent, sometimes sweet and sour
And its taste would undoubtedly merit the words of an oenologist ...
In short, a hemp flower is much more than just a way to consume CBD. The communication around this product is endless, so don't get locked in!
To satisfy customers, offer CBD concentrates
While some people buy hemp flowers purely for pleasure, others are looking for a way to consume large quantities of CBD. Manipulated by the numbers, they sometimes think they'll find happiness in a hyper-concentrated CBD flower.
To satisfy this type of customer, you have two solutions:
- Offer processed hemp flowers, artificially enriched with cannabidiol. This is the case with Ice Rock, Moon Rock and Gold Rock. Imbibed in hemp oil, these flowers are then sprinkled with CBD crystals and/or pollen. The result is a CBD content of over 70%.
- Offer CBD concentrates, such as isolate, crystals or wax.
On that note, we'll leave you to it! See you soon.
