You open a bottle of CBD flowers for the first time. A strong, pungent aroma rises, the flowers are dense, green, and glow in the light, as if someone had sprinkled powdered sugar on them. And immediately the question arises: Isn’t this just cannabis?
Yes and no. What exactly are CBD flowers? In this article we show you what CBD flowers look like, why they smell that way, how they are produced in our region in the Oberland of Zurich and what is legal in Switzerland. We also show real flowers from our own production and not stock photos.
At a glance
- CBD flowers are the dried flower stalks of female hemp plants with a high amount of CBD and less than 1% % THC.
- The glittering «crystals» on the flower are called trichomes. They contain the majority of cannabinoids and terpenes.
- CBD flowers smell like cannabis. That’s normal, because the scent comes from the terpenes and not from the THC.
- Whether a flower grows indoors, outdoors, or in a greenhouse, its density, appearance, and aroma are all influenced by it.
- In Switzerland, CBD flowers are considered a tobacco substitute product. They are legally available to people over 18 and are subject to tax.
What are CBD flowers, explained simply?
CBD flowers are the dried flower stalks of the female hemp plant (Cannabis sativa), which are specifically bred to have a high CBD content and a THC content below 1 % %. Botanically, they do not differ from THC-containing cannabis flowers. The difference lies in the genetics and therefore in the ratio of cannabinoids.
Cannabinoids are the active substances that the hemp plant produces itself. The two most well-known are THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). THC is responsible for the high, but CBD is not. The Federal Office for Health states that CBD therefore does not fall under the Narcotics Act.[1]
A comparison helps: Hemp behaves similarly to grapes. Depending on the variety, completely different wines can be produced from the same plant species. With hemp, the variety determines whether a flower will primarily produce CBD or primarily THC. Therefore, we select our varieties through our own breeding and genetic selection. This ensures that the THC level remains stable below the legal limit, while the CBD content is as high as possible. For more information on whether CBD has a psychedelic effect, read Does CBD make you high?
What do CBD flowers look like?
Good CBD flowers are compact, a rich green to purple color and covered with a fine, glittering layer. Orange to brownish hairs run through the flower between them. The overall appearance says a lot about the quality before you even open the glass.
What color and shape are CBD flowers?
Most CBD flowers are light to dark green. Some varieties show purple tones, especially at the tips of the leaves. Behind them are anthocyanins, the same pigments that also color blueberries and red cabbage. The color does not reveal anything about the strength of a flower. It is a characteristic of the variety.
In terms of shape, there are loose and dense flowers. Dense, firm flowers are usually produced under controlled conditions in indoor cultivation. The orange hairs are called stamens or pistils. They are part of the female flower and change color as the plant matures.
Our range shows how different varieties can look. SWEET STAR, one of our best-selling varieties, forms compact flowers with densely packed trichomes. Angel cake stands out due to its entirely unique terpene profile. Bubblegum comes from an exclusive genetics.
from left to right: SWEET STAR, ANGEL CAKE, BUBBLE GUM
What are trichomes, the small crystals?
Trichomes are tiny glandular hairs on the surface of the flower. Under the microscope, they look like small mushrooms with a round head. In this head, the plant produces the majority of its cannabinoids and terpenes. Researchers at the University of British Columbia have shown that the shape and content of the trichomes change significantly during flowering.[2]
A common misconception: The white coating is sugar, dust, or even mold. That is not true. Trichomes shine like crystals and are firmly attached to the flower. Mold, on the other hand, appears scaly, gray, or whitish-fluffy and smells musty. A well-maintained flower displays shiny, intact trichomes.
Because trichomes are so sensitive, the processing determines the quality. Machines and rough handling break off the heads. That’s why we pick and trim our flowers by hand.
How do CBD flowers smell?
CBD flowers smell like cannabis. This surprises many, but is completely normal. The typical scent does not come from THC, but from the terpenes, the essential oils that also give lemons, lavender, or pine their scent.
The hemp plant produces over 100 different terpenes. Which ones dominate depends on the variety. A review paper by Booth and Bohlmann describes how genetics determine the terpene profile of a variety.[3] This results in completely different fragrance characteristics:
- Earthy and spicy: often characterized by myrcenes and caryophyllens
- fruity and sweet: typical of many modern varieties
- Citrusy and fresh: mostly due to limonoids
- Greasy and piney: by pines
An example from our range: SWEET STAR has a sweet-spicy scent that many customers immediately recognize. ANGEL CAKE, on the other hand, goes into a sweet-fruity note with clear pine and kush undertones. BUBBLE GUM stands out with its sweet scent. And because CBD flowers smell intensely, we recommend storing them in an airtight glass container. This also protects the terpenes from evaporating.
How do CBD flowers form?
A CBD flower goes through four stages: cultivation, harvesting, drying, and trimming; after that comes the fermentation (also called «curing»). Each of these stages influences how the flower looks and smells at the end.
This is how things work in our Zurich Upper Land region:
- Cultivation: Our plants grow indoors in soil, in air-conditioned rooms, and without pesticides or herbicides.
- Harvest: We harvest by hand and without machinery, so that the trichomes remain intact.
- Drying: The flowers dry slowly in air-conditioned rooms.
- Trimming: We cut off the excess leaves by hand. What remains is the pure flower.
- Fermentation: The flowers mature for at least two weeks at 60–64 % humidity and 18 °C, with daily ventilation.
Fermentation is often underestimated. During this time, the bloom loses chlorophyll, the moisture is distributed evenly, and the aroma becomes more pronounced. A bloom without fermentation often smells grassy and herbaceous, whereas a well-fermented bloom is full and clear.
What is the difference between indoor, outdoor, and greenhouse?
The difference lies in the control over light, climate, and environment. Indoors, the plant grows under artificial light in closed rooms. Outdoors, it grows in the field in the open air. Greenhouse is the middle ground: The plant grows in the greenhouse under sunlight, usually supplemented by additional light.
| Feature | Indoor | Greenhouse | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Artificial (e.g. LED) | Sun, often with additional light | Only sunshine |
| Climate | Fully controlled | Partly controlled | Weather-dependent |
| Harvest per year | Several | Most often 2–3 | Most often 1 |
| Appearance | Dense, compact, many trichomes | Medium | Lighter, larger |
| Flavour | Intensive, consistent | Exemplary | Strong, varying depending on the year |
| Price | Higher | Medium | Lower |
No method is inherently «better.» Outdoor flowers have their own, often strong character. We opt for indoor cultivation because we can treat every batch equally and the quality of harvest remains constant from harvest to harvest. We obtain a large part of the electricity for this from solar panels.
How do you recognize good CBD flowers?
You can recognize good CBD flowers by four characteristics: they are dense, heavily covered with trichomes, smell clear and typical of the variety, and have a laboratory report. All four together provide a reliable picture.
A common misconception is that the higher the CBD value, the better the bloom. However, the CBD content is only one of many factors. A bloom with a high CBD value may be poorly dried and smell musty. Terpene profile, processing, and freshness are at least as important.
When reading the laboratory report, also called a COA (Certificate of Analysis), you should pay close attention. It shows the content of CBD and THC and ideally also whether the crop is free of pesticides and heavy metals. We have every batch tested in accredited laboratories and publish the results in the form of laboratory reports. Our customers often ask why the values of the same variety vary slightly from batch to batch. The answer: Every harvest is a natural product. Slight variations are to be expected, but the THC value always remains below 1 %%.
Are CBD flowers legal?
Yes. In Switzerland, CBD flowers are legal as long as their THC content % is below 1%. The BAG states that cannabis flowers with a high CBD content and less than 1 % THC are allowed to be sold and purchased legally.[1] From 1 % THC onwards, a flower is considered a narcotic.
Legally, CBD flowers are considered a tobacco substitute product. Therefore, they are subject to the tobacco tax, must be registered, and may only be sold to individuals aged 18 and over.[4] Our products are registered with the BAG.
The packaging also states «not suitable for consumption». That’s no empty promise: CBD is not approved as a food product in Switzerland, and CBD flowers are not intended to be eaten or used in food preparations.[5]
Frequently Asked Questions
What are CBD flowers?
CBD flowers are the dried inflorescences of female hemp plants with a high CBD content and less than 1% % THC. In Switzerland, they are sold as a tobacco substitute product.
Do CBD flowers make you high?
No. CBD does not cause intoxication. The THC content below 1 % is so low that no intoxication occurs like with THC cannabis. You can read the details in Does CBD make you high?
Why do CBD flowers smell like cannabis?
Because the scent comes from the terpenes and not from the THC. CBD hemp and THC hemp form similar terpenes, which is why both smell similar.
Is it allowed to drive after consuming CBD flowers?
Caution. In Swiss road traffic, a zero tolerance applies for THC with a limit of 1.5 µg/L blood. CBD flowers also contain small amounts of THC that can exceed this value. Useful information about this can be found in the article. CBD and driving – are you allowed to do that?
How long are CBD flowers shelf-stable?
Stored in a cool, dark and airtight container, CBD flowers retain their aroma for several months. Light, heat and oxygen break down terpenes and cannabinoids over time.
Conclusion
CBD flowers are hemp flowers with plenty of CBD and little THC. Their appearance, their aroma and their quality depend on the variety, the cultivation and the care during harvesting, drying and fermentation. By looking at the trichomes, the aroma and the laboratory report, you can quickly see if a flower is well made.
Would you like to get a better idea of what it is like to grow your own cannabis? In our CBD flower category you will find all the current varieties from the Zurich Oberland region, with photos, descriptions and laboratory reports. Our introduction guide is perfect for getting to know the world of cannabis. Trial set with three varieties of 2 g each.
Sources
- Federal Office for Health (BAG): Cannabis.
- Livingston, S. J. et al. (2020): Cannabis glandular trichomes change morphology and metabolite content during flower maturation. The Plant Journal, 101(1), 37–56.
- Booth, J. K. & Bohlmann, J. (2019): Terpenes in Cannabis sativa – From plant genome to humans. Plant Science, 284, 67–72.
- BAG, BLV, Swissmedic, BLW: Products containing cannabidiol (CBD) – overview and practical guidance.
- Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs BLV: Product information leaflet with Cannabidiol.
