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Exploring

Cannabis Flower:

An Introduction to a Common Form

What Is Cannabis Flower

Cannabis flower refers to the dried female buds of Cannabis sativa L., which contains glandular trichomes rich in cannabinoids such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), Cannabidiol (CBD), as well as terpenes and other secondary metabolites (Small, 2015, Russo, 2019).

Route of Administration and Absorption

Cannabis flower is most commonly administered via inhalation, where cannabinoids are vaporised and absorbed through the pulmonary route (Huestis, 2007).
 

Pulmonary administration allows cannabinoids to rapidly enter systemic circulation due to

  • large alveolar surface area

  • high pulmonary blood flow

  • avoidance of gastrointestinal degradation (Grotenhermen, 2003)
     

This may result in a more rapid systemic exposure compared with other forms of ingestion.

Bioavailability and Distribution

The bioavailability of inhaled THC is approximately between 10 and 35 percent, depending on inhalation dynamics and formulation characteristics (Huestis, 2007).

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Due to their lipophilic nature, cannabinoids also accumulate in adipose tissue, contributing to prolonged elimination (Grotenhermen, 2003).

Onset of Action and Peak Plasma Concentration

Inhaled cannabis flower is characterised by a rapid onset of action, typically occurring within minutes of administration, due to direct pulmonary absorption (Huestis, 2007).

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Peak plasma concentrations are generally achieved within 5 to 10 minutes, although this can vary based on inhalation pattern and individual physiology (Grotenhermen, 2003).

Elimination

Elimination occurs via both

  • biliary excretion into faeces

  • renal excretion into urine (Huestis, 2007)
     

Due to redistribution into fat stores, cannabinoids may exhibit prolonged elimination half lives, particularly with repeated exposure.

Duration of Pharmacological Effect

Despite rapid onset, inhaled cannabis flower typically produces a shorter duration of effect compared with oral formulations.

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Clinical observations indicate that effects may persist for approximately 2 to 4 hours, depending on dose, cannabinoid composition, and individual metabolic factors (Iversen, 2020).

Types of Dried Buds

  • THC-Dominant - may assist with pain, insomnia or appetite stimulation

  • CBD- Dominant - Non-intoxicating and may assist with anxiety inflammation and seizure control 

  • Balanced - Provides potential therapeutic synergy and minimising psychoactive effects (MacCallum & Russo, 2018).

Conclusion

Cannabis flower represents a common form of cannabis characterised by rapid pulmonary absorption, and a shorter pharmacological effect. There are many formulations that range from THC dominant, CBD dominant to balanced. The dried buds have specific pharmacokinetic properties that distinguish inhaled cannabis from other forms.  

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. Laws regarding prescription medicines vary by region, and readers should always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any prescription medication.

​References: Grotenhermen, F. (2003). Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of cannabinoids. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 42(4), 327 to 360. Huestis, M. A. (2007). Human cannabinoid pharmacokinetics. Chemical Biodiversity, 4(8), 1770 to 1804. Iversen, L. (2020). The science of marijuana, 3rd edition. Oxford University Press. MacCallum, C. A., & Russo, E. B. (2018). Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing. European Journal of Internal Medicine, 49, 12–19. Russo, E. B. (2019). The case for the entourage effect and conventional breeding of clinical cannabis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9, 1969. Small, E. (2015). Cannabis, a complete guide. CRC Press.

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