Lowkey Cannabis: Smokable INDOOR Hemp

Cultivated Smokable Hemp Flower

There is one moment in history that forever changed the world of CBD: the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill.

This legislative bill considered hemp an agricultural product and removed hemp from the list of controlled substances. It was in this instance that industrial hemp blazed a new path forward, and hemp lovers everywhere celebrated. 

As the hemp-revolution began, so did the focus on growing the most superior plants possible. As external factors posed a challenge to outdoor flower, enter the rise of Greenhouse and Indoor Hemp. 

Let’s be honest, indoor grows became popular long before legalization. Indoor operations were used to combat air surveillance during the war on drugs- but they proved to be a necessary methodology to produce legal, medically approved cannabis when the regulatory standards required tighter control in 2018, marking a nation-wide surge. 

The quality of hemp plants are often categorized in three ways: indoor flower, outdoor flower, and greenhouse flower. You might’ve heard your local budtender use one of these buzz words to describe the bud they pull off the shelf, confidently categorizing the flower as a product of a particular growing method. 

Like many others, you might not know exactly what you’re getting when the budtender sends you home with a bag of greenhouse CBD. Or, maybe you do. Either way, we promise after reading what we have to say, you’ll know a little bit more about the CBD you know and love. 

The Benefits of Indoor Hemp Growing

As the name implies, indoor hemp is grown indoors. Yes, the outdoors boasts fertile soil, powerful sunlight, and room to grow- so shouldn’t it yield a more fertile crop?

That’s not always the case. The benefit of indoor growth can be seen in many forms.  Indoor plants are often controlled with optimized ventilation, a monitored atmosphere, artificial light cycles through grow lights, and carefully measured nutrient supplements. An indoor grower can manipulate and make micro-adjustments to practically every aspect of a plant’s growing condition, especially through light deprivation. 

Once the flowering of hemp is induced during the correct photoperiod or shock, they can be protected from temperature change, rain, mold, and wind- all huge concerns when handling precious crops that rely on their quality. Not to forget-artificial indoor light allows cannabis to be grown year-round. This means indoor flowers can maintain a longer flowering period resulting in a higher yield. 

As the growing season turns into harvest season, the importance of preserving clean pest-free hemp is vital for a consistent business. Indoor techniques decrease risk factor of late-season pests.

In the end, indoor hemp flowers are always more expensive for both producer and the user. It takes power, water, and equipment that outdoor grows don’t require to operate. However an indoor grow is arguably all worth it for the high quality, terpene-rich yield. 

Benefits of Greenhouse Hemp Growing

The benefits of greenhouse-grown hemp sit somewhere in the middle between indoor and outdoor-grown hemp. This hemp isn’t fully grown indoors or outdoors, yet rather pulls from qualities of both methods. Greenhouse hemp plants receive exposure to natural sun while granting the grower a more controlled environment than outdoor-grown cannabis plants receive.

There are some hefty benefits to greenhouse hemp growing. Greenhouse hemp flowers typically have denser buds than most outdoor flowers due to the slightly controlled atmosphere. Yet at the same time, because greenhouse growing is partially outdoors, this method requires fewer tools and resources to cultivate than an indoor grow. You can still count on the climate, life-cycle, lighting, and nutrient control that comes with an indoor grow. 

Not many people take the middle road when it comes to growing hemp. They either want the economical and outdoor option that produces hemp in mass amounts or to splurge on a tight, high-end operation. As far as consumerism goes, greenhouse-grown flower is a great option if you’d like a considerably consistent flower without breaking the bank.  

Benefits of Outdoor Hemp Growing

Outdoor hemp -also known as sun-grown- is grown outdoors in nature, just like most agricultural crops. 

Hemp does like its nickname suggests, grow like a weed and is a very hardy plant. There is still a considerable time and energy required to adapt to its environment when grown outdoors. This may yield a less dense and darker product. Density and aroma are the most impacted aspects of outdoor flower, but CBD potency is the least impacted. (and we love a potent CBD!) 

Nevertheless, outdoor hemp growing is as old as time. Skilled farmers can provide incredible yields with shocking aroma, aesthetics, and cannabinoid content. Not to mention, outdoor growth can yield an extremely high amount of hemp for considerably less cost and resources than an indoor operation. For this reason, sun-grown hemp will probably always be the more abundant product. 

Hemp cultivation is also bolstering the regenerative agriculture movement. While there are still obstacles that continue to disrupt the industrial hemp sector, hemp has proven to be one of the few ways that can help the country achieve a sustainable future. With regenerative hemp farming, soil fertility can improve with increased biodiversity. 

For the consumer, sun-grown hemp is a more affordable option. It is loved by many for the notable individuality, richness, and of course, tradition that only comes with the good ‘ole sun.

The Bottom Line

Is indoor hemp better? Well, it certainly has the reputation for the freshest hemp with the highest terpenes, densest buds, and overall aroma appeal.  So, if we are talking in terms of smokable CBD vs. textile hemp, then arguably yes. But it’s also about preference. While outdoor and greenhouse certainly offer the most traditional approach, indoor is like aged whiskey- taking the most time, resources, and attention. 

But, at the end of the day, the ultimate quality of indoor hemp is up to the skill and dedication of the grower- and that’s a fact.