Looking to up your game and get the most out of your CBD? For those who choose to smoke cannabidiol, the consumption process is relatively straightforward. Buying any old CBD, skinning up, and puffing is easy. Yet, it’s probably not the best option. 

There are many ways to optimise the process and maximize your benefits. This complete guide covers exactly how to improve your smoke session. We explain how to select the best CBD flower or hash for you and choose the perfect high-quality smoke accessories, plus everything else you need to know. 

Step 1: Choose top-end hash or CBD flower

It’s the most obvious element, but many still ignore it. You wouldn’t expect a Michelin-starred restaurant to use ingredients from the “basics” aisle.

If you want to make your smoke session better, the first place you should start is with the CBD itself. Low-quality products can taste pretty harsh, are likely to be much less effective, and can contain some nasty chemicals.

A smoke session that doesn’t even taste nice and might actually be harmful? A little research goes a long way. You don’t have to understand the chemical formula behind thousands of terpenes, but knowing that your product has been certified safe is the absolute minimum.

So, how do you know what to look for? How can you choose the best CBD products while ensuring you get value for money? Here’s what to look for to ensure you can identify the best CBD flower and hash on the market.

1. Lab testing: In our book, this is priority number one. You should always choose a CBD product that has been third-party lab tested and certified. This means that the product doesn’t contain any nasty contaminants, such as heavy metals or pesticides. Check that there is a certificate of analysis (COA) from the manufacturer, and when possible, we’d recommend buying fully organic, too.
   

2. Terpene profiles: If you’re buying from a quality supplier, you should be able to select a CBD product with terpene profiles that are favourable to you. Terpenes are aromatic, organic compounds found in plants, including hemp. For example, strains high in myrcene are considered muscle relaxants, making them a popular choice for those seeking stress relief from stress. Meanwhile, limonene is uplifting and is thought to help improve mood, as well as having analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
   

3. If you’re buying hash, check the extraction method. Low-quality CBD products often use cheaper extraction methods involving petroleum-based solvents. These can leave behind unwanted residues and result in lower CBD concentrations, compromising the product’s quality and the consumer’s safety.
   
   Did you know? All of HempElf’s CBD Hash is made by extracting the cannabinoid from plants using ice water. Then, the concentrate is pressed together to achieve the highest possible CBD potency available.
   
   

4. Analyse how it smells and looks: Now, often, if you’re buying online, this part can be a bit tricky. But it’s good to know what to look for when your product arrives and how to differentiate between a higher or lower quality batch. A good quality CBD flower should smell much like its higher THC cousin, with a strong, pleasant aroma. You should be able to spot trichomes visibly (these are the minuscule crystalline structures that are packed with cannabinoids and terpenes — all that good stuff). Colour-wise, your flower should be an appealing shade of green, possibly with purple hues. If your buds turn up dry and brown, without much of a smell, you’re looking at low-quality flower.
   

5. Check how it feels: This one’s for if you’re buying flower. Well-cured products should be a little sticky, but not super moist. You can dry out your buds, but you don’t want them too dry, or too sticky. If they’re too sticky, they will be difficult to grind. Too dry, and they will burn super-fast, which is not optimal for your smoking experience.

Step 2: Upgrade and clean your smoking accessories

So, you’ve sorted out your product. Maybe you’re planning to experiment with different strains or terpene profiles to better tailor your product to the effect you’re looking for. But, you’re still using the same old plastic bong from your teenage years.

It’s a no from us! In 2025, smoking accessories have come a long way. Here are a few tips for choosing high-quality accessories and how to get the most out of your CBD smoking session.  

Choose a high quality pipe or a bong: If this is your preferred smoking method, listen up.  Glass is king; it provides a super clean smoke without the addition of any unwanted flavours. If you’re looking to up the anti- even further, bongs that include percolators further improve smoke diffusion and offer a cooling effect, making the whole experience more pleasant and smoother on your throat. 

Upgrade your grinder: There’s nothing more satisfying than breaking down flower in a top-end grinder. It’s not all about what feels best, either; a decent grinder will ensure your CBD spliff burns evenly and will even help release more terpenes. We suggest opting for a multi-chamber grinder complete with a kief catcher to collect potent trichomes. Losing out on that extra trichome collection is like driving the scenic route without looking out the window - you miss the magic! Trichomes are renowned for their bountiful production of cannabinoids; they produce the terpenes and flavonoids that determine the appearance, flavour, and aroma of buds. 

Choosing a product that efficiently collects trichomes can be a game-changer for your smoking experience, helping you maximise the benefits of the product you’re consuming (and making it super tasty, too).

Top tip: As with bongs and pipes, we advise you to avoid plastic options if you can.

Switch up your rolling papers: If you are a joint smoker, you may unknowingly be consuming unwanted chemicals through rolling papers. We suggest choosing unbleached, organic hemp rolling papers. Not only are they toxin-free, but they will also burn more evenly. 

Vaporize instead of smoke: If you want a cleaner experience, investing in a dry herb vaporizer allows you to extract cannabinoids and terpenes without combustion. This reduces your exposure to harmful byproducts and is ultimately one of the healthiest ways to switch up your smoke session.

Improving your smoke session is investing in yourself

With a huge range of CBD products available in 2025, it’s never been easier to make your smoke session better. It’s also not difficult to fall into the trap of buying low-end products and accessories that don’t necessarily benefit you. Do your own research, and remember that investing in good CBD and accessories is, by extension, investing in yourself!