Cannabis flower nugget on a light wood table

Everything You Need To Know About Cannabis Flower

Cannabis flower has countless names–bud, nugs, weed–but the reason you’ll most often hear dispensaries refer to it as “flower” is because it’s the actual flower of the cannabis plant! Cultivators harvest these flower buds to create the many cannabis products you can purchase at a dispensary today.

Flower comes in different sizes, strains, and forms, and we’re going to break it all down in this article, including:

  • What is Cannabis Flower?
  • What is Inside Marijuana Flower?
  • What are the Common Forms of Marijuana Flower?
  • How Do You Smoke Flower?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
     

What is Cannabis Flower?

You may have heard people talk about grinding flower, packing a bowl with flower, or even decarboxylating flower. To understand what each of these mean, you first want to learn the basics about cannabis flower. Growers harvest the buds of female cannabis plants and dry them to create a smokable product. The buds can also be smoked alone or used to make other cannabis products.

Marijuana flower buds in different sizes all lined upMarijuana flower buds in different sizes all lined up

What Types of Marijuana Flower Can You Buy?

When it comes to purchasing marijuana flower, dispensaries offer a variety of forms and sizes, from premium and popcorn to shake and trim.


Premium Flower

Flower nugget on a white backgroundFlower nugget on a white background
Premium flower, also called "top shelf" flower, has large curated buds from different strains of marijuana plants which possess different properties. Premium flower is grown, harvested, and trimmed carefully to provide a high quality product.

Kief

Closeup of cannabis kiefCloseup of cannabis kief
Kief is a fine, powdery substance made up of dried trichomes that have fallen off cannabis flower. You can purchase kief at a dispensary, or you can collect it from the bottom of your grinder.

Popcorn Flower

Two popcorn flower nuggets on a white backgroundTwo popcorn flower nuggets on a white background
Popcorn flower refers to the small, compact buds that grow closer to the stalk of the plant. Usually more affordable, popcorn marijuana buds can be an economical way to try different strains.

Shake Flower

Pile of shake flowerPile of shake flower
Shake consists of pieces of marijuana that gather at the bottom of containers or bags that separate out during shipping or processing. Sometimes it's used for pre-rolls, and it's often more affordable than other forms of cannabis flower.

Trim

Pile of cannabis trimPile of cannabis trim
When preparing cannabis buds after harvest, the resulting trimmings of bits of cut-off buds, sugar leaves, and pieces of trichomes (aka kief) are called trim. It’s usually kept for making edibles, creating hash, or making topicals and tinctures.

How Do You Smoke Flower?

There are plenty of ways to smoke your flower, and cannasseurs are quick to point out that their favorite method can vary, depending on the day, situation, and flower type. Here are several ways to smoke cannabis flower.


Hand Pipe

Blue glass handpipe Blue glass handpipe
Hand pipes are a simple way to smoke your newly purchased flower. They typically have a bowl at one end that holds the flower as you light it and inhale.

One-Hitter

Pink one-hitter pipe with cannabis packed in one endPink one-hitter pipe with cannabis packed in one end
A one-hitter–also called a chillum or bat– is a type of cannabis pipe designed to hold a small amount of flower, suitable for one or two puffs.

Bong

Blue and green glass bongBlue and green glass bong
A bong is a specialized pipe designed to use water to filter the smoke, delivering a unique smoking experience that many cannabis enthusiasts find to be less harsh than other pipes.

Joint

Five cannabis joints laying next to reach other on a black tableFive cannabis joints laying next to reach other on a black table
A joint–also called a pre-roll or cone–is a cannabis product that is already packed with flower, wrapped in rolling paper, and ready for sale at a dispensary.

Blunt

Marijuana blunt laying next to a nugget of cannabis flowerMarijuana blunt laying next to a nugget of cannabis flower
A marijuana blunt is a type of cannabis roll that can be made at home using a hollowed-out cigar, cigarillo shell, or tobacco leaves filled with marijuana.

Bubbler

Pink glass cannabis bubbler with blue spotsPink glass cannabis bubbler with blue spots
A bubbler pipe is a small pipe that uses water to filter the smoke before inhalation, similar to a bong.

How to Build a Cannabis Smoking Kit

Everything you need, from the flower to the storage containers, lighter, rolling papers, and more, are required tools for you to have a successful session. Those tools make up your cannabis smoking kit. They’re the essential tools and accessories that ensure you’re able to grind, roll, pack, light, smoke, and store your cannabis the way you enjoy it. 

While the marijuana tools and accessories may vary by brand, size, and price tag, they tend to be similar in the reason why they should be added to your smoker's kit. Here are just a few of the must-have essentials to add to your kit for cannabis:


Grinder

Three pieces of a cannabis grinder open with kief inside and flower on the teethThree pieces of a cannabis grinder open with kief inside and flower on the teeth
A great grinder is essential to making sure you capture every valuable part of your bud, an even grind, and a contained mess. Just make sure you clean your grinder regularly.

Rolling Tray

Wood rolling tray with cannabis flowe ron it and a joint being rolledWood rolling tray with cannabis flowe ron it and a joint being rolled
For those DIY cannabis rollers, a rolling tray is an essential addition to your kit. It keeps your cannabis contained in one spot and prevents a sticky mess on your counter.

Rolling Paper

Pack of rolling paper next to flower and joint crutchesPack of rolling paper next to flower and joint crutches
Once you get good at rolling your own joints, you’ll likely have a preferred type of rolling paper you like to use. Make sure you have a stash of those papers available in your kit for easy rolling.

Stash Box

Wooden box with cannabis flower insideWooden box with cannabis flower inside
Your stash box is a tool designed to hold, at minimum, your cannabis, but there are stash boxes big enough to hold your entire kit.

Storage Containers

Marijuana flower in a clear glass jarMarijuana flower in a clear glass jar
Storing your marijuana correctly is probably one of the most important things to do to ensure your marijuana lasts to your next session or sessions. Make sure your kit has good-quality containers available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you are familiar with the cannabis flower, here are some frequently asked questions:

Can I eat marijuana flower?
Yes, but it's unlikely that you will feel any psychoactive effects. The cannabinoids in marijuana flower first need to be decarboxylated. 
 

Why does marijuana smell when you smoke it?
Some of the distinctive odors in marijuana come from the terpenes created by the trichomes, like citrus or flowers. The "skunky" odor that cannabis is known for comes from volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), some of which are unique to the plant. 
 

What’s the difference between flower and bud?
There isn't a difference, these are just different names for cannabis flowers. 
 

Why is flower called “nugs?”
Flower will sometimes be referred to as “nugs” because it often has a nugget-like shape. 
 

Where can I buy marijuana tools?
We’d be lying if we told you that these tools aren’t all over the internet, but you’re not going to find the same quality online as you will at your local dispensary. We recommend always getting your cannabis tools from a state-licensed dispensary.

How much does it cost to buy cannabis accessories?
Cannabis accessories can cost as much or as little as you need them to. Most products flex from entry-level pricing to experienced canna-connoisseur budgets, so we recommend establishing how much you want to spend and then going from there.

More About Marijuana Flower

Ready to learn even more? Investigate different kinds of marijuana flower at your dispensary and be sure to ask your budtender any questions you have about marijuana strains, ways to consume it, and its distinctive aromas, tastes, and diverse compounds. 
 


cannabis leaf outline in a green circle

Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Ohio and Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.