How Long Does It Take for CBD Flower to Kick In?

IMPORTANT: any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease. This page contains affiliate links.  We earn commissions for referring traffic to these sites.  While we are careful to only recommend products we actually use and like, you should know of our relationship with these companies.

CBD flower remains one of the most common and popular product options on the market, and for good reason: it’s incredibly fast acting, and its effects are powerful.

In general, CBD flower usually takes about 15-20 minutes to kick in, at least when consumed via inhalation. Inhalation has a much higher bioavailability than other consumption methods, meaning it allows more CBD to be absorbed into the body faster.

Of course, individual factors can also influence how long it takes for your flower to kick in and how long it takes for it to wear off. The potency of your flower, the size of your dose, and your body’s own unique reaction to CBD, among other things, might influence just how you feel after smoking it.

Closeup of a Secret Nature sour space candy bud.
Click to Read Review
5/5
5/5

Pros:

✔️Unique CBD Rich Strains

✔️100% Organic, No Pesticides, No Additives

✔️Premium Dispensary Grade – Grown Indoors

✔️Hand Trimmed to Perfection

✔️Small-Batch, Bi-Weekly Harvests, Ensure the Flower Is Always Farm Fresh

Cons:

✖️Popular Strains Sell Out Quickly Due to High Demand

Closeup of a Secret Nature sour space candy bud.
Click to Read Review

Secret Nature Indoor CBD Flower

Review Breakdown

5/5
5/5

Quality 
Flavor 
Price vs Value 
Experience 
Company Reputation 

5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5
5/5

How Long Does Inhaled CBD Take to Work?

The effects of inhaling CBD, whether it be via smoking or vaping, generally set in within about 15 to 20 minutes of consumption.

Inhaling CBD is one of the easiest ways to feel results quickly and noticeably. Once inhaled into the lungs, cannabinoids like CBD rapidly pass through to the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.

Once in the bloodstream, CBD can begin to interact with the endocannabinoid system and do its magic. 

You may experience different levels of intensity in terms of results when using different inhalable CBD products. More potent products may seem to set in faster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a better choice.

Vape cartridges, for instance, might pack a more intense punch per inhalation than CBD flower, but these effects may wear off faster or lose their strength rapidly.

Bioavailability of Inhalation Route

In terms of CBD bioavailability, inhalation is actually one of the best approaches to take. Compared to other methods of consumption (oral, topical, etc.), inhalation produces faster results that, although shorter-lived, are generally more intense.

But just what is bioavailability, and how does it apply to CBD flower? 

In short, bioavailability refers to how much and how quickly a substance is absorbed into the bloodstream. The higher a substance’s bioavailability is, the faster (and more efficiently) it enters the body and produces results.

CBD’s bioavailability is impacted significantly by the form that it takes. Products like CBD flower enter the body in a very different way than products like CBD oil do – while the former directly enters the lungs, the latter must work its way through the digestive system to begin entering the bloodstream.

The exact bioavailability of CBD itself as well as the impact that consumption methods have on this figure is still being explored by scientists, but some estimates suggest 30-35% to be accurate for inhalation.

This estimate means that around a third of the potential of your CBD flower is actually felt by the body. Some is lost, and some is simply unable to be fully absorbed into the bloodstream.

Though 35% may not seem like a very high bioavailability, it’s significantly larger than that of oral consumption. The only products that may rival this bioavailability are products that are designed to allow more CBD to be absorbed into the body than usual, like water-soluble options.

What Does CBD Flower Feel Like?

CBD flower is known to produce calming, euphoric effects that extend to both the body and the mind. Users may experience relief from pain and inflammation, lowered levels of stress or anxiety, and an overall sense of relaxation.

Compared to other products (even other products that you may inhale), though, CBD flower brings a unique experience. The presence of other parts of the cannabis plant, namely a robust profile of terpenes, allows CBD flower to create something truly unique.

It is important to note that CBD flower, while it may look and smell like it, is not the same thing as marijuana. As a result, it can not and will not get you high; it lacks THC, the cannabinoid responsible for psychoactive results, in a high enough concentration to do so.

Unless your CBD flower comes from a medical marijuana dispensary (which may sell flower options high in CBD and low in THC), it should not contain significant amounts of THC.

CBD flower that’s sold commercially is derived from hemp, not from marijuana, and must contain 0.3% THC or less by weight. You can think of hemp like a cousin of marijuana; it contains other cannabinoids and still contains terpenes.

Like marijuana, CBD flower comes in many different strains, each with its own unique blend of terpenes and cannabinoid concentration. 

Different strains may produce slightly different results (indica strains, for instance, may tend to make you sleepier than sativas), so don’t be afraid to experiment and find something that you truly enjoy!

Side effects are not very common when it comes to hemp-derived CBD flower, but they are possible. 

Adverse effects are more likely to occur if you take a higher dosage than usual or introduce new products into your rotation, so always exercise caution.

Common side effects of CBD flower include:

How Long Do the Effects of CBD Flower Last?

The effects of CBD flower usually linger for about 2-4 hours, though this estimate may depend on how much CBD flower you’ve smoked and how long it’s been since you finished doing so.

Generally speaking, the faster the effects of your CBD begin to set in, the earlier they’ll wear off. Consumption methods with a higher bioavailability (like inhalation) produce strong results very quickly, but the potential downside of this truth is that the effects end sooner than they might otherwise.

If you’re looking for a CBD experience that will truly help you unwind, even if it’s only for a few hours at a time, CBD flower is likely the ideal option for you. It’s one of the best ways to get well-rounded results that are both therapeutic and enjoyable.

However, if longer-lasting effects are ideal (if you’re managing high levels of chronic pain, for instance), an edible product like CBD oil or even CBD gummies may be a better option.

How Long Does CBD Flower Stay in Your System?

CBD flower can stay in your system for a few days, or it can linger for weeks. It really depends on how frequently you use CBD, your body, and the type of products you tend to use.

CBD and other cannabinoids are partially stored within the body long after consumption. The more you use, the higher this level of build-up becomes (and thus the longer it takes for CBD to fully exit your system).

Likewise, those with more mass (a higher body weight) or body fat for CBD to settle into will tend to hold on to more of the substance after consumption.

Even though CBD can stick around for a while, you don’t have to worry about it complicating things like drug tests. CBD isn’t an illegal substance, so there’s no need to worry about its presence in your body aside from potential health or personal concerns.

Final Thoughts: In Fast, Out Fast

There’s a good reason CBD flower remains one of the most popular product options on the market: it kicks into gear quickly, easily, and consistently, and its effects don’t mess around.

This is thanks to the higher bioavailability level that’s associated with inhalation. CBD flower is most commonly smoked or vaped, and both of these practices allow the cannabinoid to enter the bloodstream almost immediately via the lungs.

Such a reality is great news for anyone looking to reap the benefits of their product in a way that’s fast and simple to manage. It is worthwhile, though, to consider the fact that inhalation’s effects may be short-lived compared to other options.

As is the case in most discussions surrounding CBD use, the best course of action for future use is really dependent on you and your preferences.

If you’re like many CBD users, the idea of kicking back after a long day and unwinding with minimal effort may sound perfect. 

No matter what, though, it’s crucial to buy products from sellers you trust. It’s up to consumers to make sure their products are worth the money and effort they dedicate to them.

That’s why we’ve compiled a directory full of product information and recommendations. 

Finding the best CBD product for you, flower or not, shouldn’t have to feel like rocket science, and here at CBD Facilitator, we’re committed to ensuring that it doesn’t.

Josh Murdoch

Josh Murdoch

I was born with Cystic Fibrosis, and although it is incurable, CBD and THC have been allowing me to live my life as a healthy adult now for years. For that reason, I’ve dedicated my career to spreading the good news about cannabinoids. Currently, I work for a cannabis distribution company called Humble & Fume which operates in California. Previously, I worked on two cannabis farms in northern California, one of which was located in the famous Humboldt County. I’ve also managed a medical cannabis delivery service in Marin County, California. I created CBD Facilitator to share what I’ve learned, and to recommend the best products that I have found in this chaotic market.

Share this….

Our Mission

Our goal is to educate you on all things CBD, enabling you to navigate this vast unregulated industry like a pro. We know all too well how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy brands in this crowded market, so we’re here to help!

Shop CBD Products

Our Favorite Brands

FACILITATOR25
(25% Off)

CBDFACILITATOR
(15% Off)

CBDFACILITATOR
(15% Off)

FACILITATOR
(10% Off)

Topical Cream

Perfect for Localized Pain and Inflammation Relief!

Our Mission

Our goal is to educate you on all things CBD, enabling you to navigate this vast unregulated industry like a pro. We know all too well how overwhelming it can be to find trustworthy brands in this crowded market, so we’re here to help!

Shop CBD Products

Our Favorite Brands

FACILITATOR25
(25% Off)

CBDFACILITATOR
(15% Off)

CBDFACILITATOR
(15% Off)

FACILITATOR
(10% Off)

Topical Cream

Perfect for Localized Pain and Inflammation Relief!