CBD is no longer just a wellness trend. It’s firmly part of the UK’s health, lifestyle, and cannabis culture. Once seen as niche, this non-psychotropic cannabinoid is now used daily by thousands to ease pain, improve sleep, manage stress, and calm inflammation.
But while CBD oils and gummies still dominate the shelves, another product has quietly become the favourite among many cannabis lovers: CBD flower.
What is CBD flower?
CBD flower is simply the raw, dried blossom of the hemp plant. Hemp is cannabis bred to contain only trace amounts of THC (the compound that makes you high), while producing higher concentrations of CBD and other cannabinoids such as CBG, CBN, and CBC.
The result? Buds that look, smell, and feel like regular weed, but don’t send your mind into orbit. Instead, they deliver a mellow, body-soothing calm that works brilliantly for daytime use, tobacco replacement, or as a balancing mix with THC-rich cannabis.
In fact, many people now roll their joints 50/50 with CBD flower and regular weed. The CBD helps to smooth out THC’s sharper edges – reducing anxiety, paranoia, and mental fog – and leaving behind a more relaxed, functional high.
Is CBD flower legal in the UK in 2025?
The legal status remains murky. Officially, CBD flower is still classified as cannabis, which keeps it in a legal grey area. But the reality on the ground is different:
- High-grade CBD hemp has been openly sold in the UK since 2017.
- Police enforcement is rare and inconsistent.
- Some businesses have even received tacit approval from local authorities.
Campaigners continue to push for proper regulation, especially as the UK medical cannabis industry (legal since 2018) now serves over 40,000 patients through licensed clinics. But for now, CBD flower sits in the same limbo it always has: technically illegal, widely available.
How to use CBD flower
Because it looks and behaves like regular cannabis, you can enjoy CBD flower in all the usual ways:
- Smoke it – Roll it into a joint, pack a bowl, or use a bong (though smoking always comes with health risks).
- Vape it – Dry herb vapes are the cleaner choice, heating the flower without combustion. This is hands-down the best way to get flavour, cannabinoids, and smooth effects.
- Eat it – Infuse butter, oil, or coconut fat with CBD flower to make edibles at home. Think brownies, cookies, or savoury dishes.
- DIY skincare – With CBD’s anti-inflammatory properties, you can infuse flower into oils for topical balms and creams.
The 10 Best CBD Flower Shops in the UK (2025 Edition)
We’ve tried hundreds of strains from dozens of shops across Europe and the UK. Here’s our updated list of the very best CBD flower retailers in 2025:
1. Originals CBD ★ Best Overall
Originals CBD has become the go-to UK destination for premium CBD flower. Known for their consistency, authenticity, and true-to-strain flavour profiles, they’re setting the standard in 2025.
Their US-grown buds are dense, aromatic, and properly cured – no hay-smelling hemp here. Their customer service is personal, their packaging discreet, and their lab reports always up to date.
If you’re only trying one shop this year – make it Originals CBD.
2. Hemp Elf
Hemp Elf are veterans in the CBD game, with an ever-expanding catalogue of flowers, extracts, and vapes. Their Strawberry Kush, Amnesia, and Cheese remain classics. Their CBD hash is also some of the best you’ll find.
3. HempHash
One of the longest-standing and most reliable sellers in the UK. HempHash continue to offer high-quality flower at fair prices, with favourites like Harlequin and Limoncello always delivering.
What about medical cannabis?
If you’re after legal, guaranteed quality flower, you can now access medical cannabis in the UK through clinics like Releaf. Since 2018, tens of thousands of patients have been prescribed THC and CBD flower for conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, and insomnia.
- Safe, lab-tested products
- Discreet home delivery
- Specialist doctors & tailored treatment plans
For many, this route takes away the uncertainty of the CBD grey market.
Final Thoughts
CBD flower has come a long way in the UK since its early days. In 2025, quality is higher, choice is wider, and awareness is stronger than ever.
Whether you want to smooth out your THC sessions, replace tobacco, or simply enjoy the calming benefits of cannabis without the high, there’s never been a better time to try CBD flower.
If you want the absolute best – Originals CBD should be your first stop.
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