Flower: The Origin of All Cannabis Products - M4/U2
This lesson focuses on the essence of cannabis flower
In every journey, there’s a beginning. For cannabis, that beginning is the flower—the blossom of the female cannabis plant and the origin point for all cannabis products. From the potent compounds in the trichomes to the whole flower itself, every concentrate, edible, tincture and topical traces its roots back to this vibrant bloom.
Cultures have long revered flowers as symbols of life cycles and renewal, teaching us that every blossom carries meaning beyond its physical beauty. I invite you to really sit with this, perhaps you can feel it in your body. Cannabis flower, too, invites us into deeper connection and mindfulness. As the plant flowers, it transforms, just as we do in our moments of growth.
This lesson focuses on the essence of cannabis flower—what it is, why people consume it, how much to consume, and the tools we use to enjoy it. Whether you’re an experienced connoisseur seeking a refresher or someone new to cannabis, this foundational knowledge sets the stage for a thoughtful relationship with the plant.
What is Flower?
Cannabis flower—known by names like bud, pot, weed, chronic, or kind bud—is the harvested, cured blossom of the cannabis plant. The flower produces trichomes which hold the cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids we associate with cannabis’ effects.
To unlock these effects, cannabinoids like THC require heat to activate. This is why smoking or vaporizing flower is common, though, albeit rare, the flower can also be consumed raw (offering nutritional but non-psychoactive benefits).
From its natural state, flower can be transformed into concentrates, edibles, tinctures or topical’s, but many still find its unaltered form the purest way to experience cannabis.
Tools for Consuming Flower
Smoking flower requires more than just the plant itself. Many tools can enhance the experience, but all you truly need is a flame and an open mind.
Smoking Apparatuses:
Pipe: A compact, simple option for quick consumption.
Bong: A water-filled device that cools and filters smoke for a smoother hit.
Bubbler: A smaller, portable version of a bong.
Joint: Cannabis rolled in paper, ready to be shared or enjoyed solo.
Blunt: Cannabis rolled in cigar paper, offering a longer, often more robust session.
Additional Tools:
Tray: For breaking up, packing a bowl or rolling a joint.
Grinder: To break up cannabis. I prefer my fingers as I get a better connection to the cannabis. If cannabis is moist, a grinder is preferred.
Flame: A lighter or hemp wick (a wick that you can light to then put it to the bowl, this is healthier as you are not inhaling butane) to spark the cannabis.
Bowl Poker: For clearing the remainder of the bowl.
Ashtray: To put your ash and the remnant of the flower.
Mindful Consumption
Take a moment to ask yourself: Is flower the right choice for me? If it is, consider which consumption methods and dosage fit different moments in your life. Remember to introduce yourself, set an intention and give thanks to the cannabis at the very least. Remember reciprocity.
By taking simple steps of intentionally selecting how, your dosing and when to consume, you create space for mindfulness in your cannabis journey - which can create small steps of repetition for mindfulness in other areas of life. As humans, starting with small actions and creating patterns can lead to larger changes in yourself, cannabis is a beautiful ally in a bigger journey. Like the flower itself, this practice can deepen your connection to the plant and to yourself.
Let the flower remind you of its origin—of its transformation into something more—and allow it to inspire your own blossoming.