Reviewed By FNM Contributor Varsha Hyland

When the editors at Fat Nugs Magazine asked for a review of Herban Bud’s products, I was intrigued. I’ve tried THC and CBD, but this review was my first foray into hydrogenated and derivative cannabinoid products.

The products I received from Herban Bud included THCa flower and concentrate, as well as a disposable vape containing an oil blend consisting of an HHC base. The “Euphoria” vape contained THCp, followed by some THC-O, just enough THCjd, and a dash of Delta-8. Having only used CBD flower or oils as an alternative to THC when I was worried about getting drug tested for work, the Herban Bud haul was my first time experiencing a high from these alternative cannabinoids.

What are hemp-derived, alternative cannabinoids?

The cannabinoids that Herban Bud uses are all hemp-derived and federally legal in the US, which makes them available to ship across the country. HHC is derived from hydrogenation, which adds hydrogen molecules to Delta-9. Its effects are reported to be less potent than Delta-9, but comparable to Delta-8. THCa is the acidic form of Delta-9 THC, which may help alleviate symptoms such as nausea and anxiety, but does not have the lasting high commonly associated with cannabis-derived THC. 

The additional cannabinoids present in Herban Bud’s products include THCjd. A rare, naturally occurring cannabinoid which is reported to be 19 times more potent than Delta-9 and over 25 times more potent than Delta-8. The high is described as indica-leaning, meaning sedative in nature. THC-O is a synthetic cannabinoid, reportedly three times stronger than THC, while THCp, which is naturally derived from both hemp and cannabis, is reported to be 30 times more potent than THC. That being said, for a “delta” newbie, I was curious to discover these products' effects.

My experience with Herban Bud’s products

The Herban Bud strain of flower I smoked was High Octane Guava, labeled a hybrid, and featuring THCa. The buds were well trimmed, and spongy to the touch. Additional textural elements included crunch when pressure was applied. They ground up well to smoke out of pipes. The aroma of the flower could be described as fruity with floral notes. Despite the name, the flavor wasn’t reminiscent of guavas or fruits. In my experience, the high from a pipe bowl was enough for the same initial gratification one seeks from a traditional weed high. THCa flower proved effective for providing immediate relief for my perpetual nausea and anxiety without the lasting high from THC.

 The second product I sampled was their concentrate, THCa Diamonds by Cali Green Gold, which had the consistency and color of sugar wax. The label stated 98.87% THCa, and the concentrate gave the most potent high of the three Herban Bud products I tried, on par with THC oil or dabs. Instead of using a traditional dab rig, I smoked the concentrate using an electric dab straw. The strain type wasn’t specified, but the taste was clean and weed-like. My experience was more sedative in the beginning, with uplifting after-effects. The packaging could be described as the most luxurious of the three, with a green and gold color scheme, true to the name of the product. Descriptors on the box also stood out to me: “Pure, Potent, Loud”, along with the “Made with ♥” message on the inside. The actual wax was in a compact container that was easy to dip the dab straw into.

 The final product I tried was a disposable vape, Euphoria, in Apple Fritter. A sufficiently long drag of the vape before bed gave a decent high that was consistent with “indica” highs, helping me sleep. It was also easy enough to use and pull from, without causing a coughing fit. Unlike the flower and concentrates, the oil did not contain THCa. The oil blend for the disposable vape starts with an HHC base. Then the max amount of THCp was added, followed by some THC-O, just enough THCj, and a dash of Delta-8. The vape packaging was blue and smoky, a nod to the sedative theme. I was happy to note that the product’s cannabinoid profile and the strain name were clearly labeled on the packaging. The actual vape was compact and had easy to follow instructions for use. 

The Takeaway

My overall takeaway is that the Herban Bud line contains great products to use if cannabis-derived THC is unavailable or if you are seeking alternatives. THCa is a good alternative product, providing similar effects to THC, even if they aren’t as long lasting. The THCa products, both the flower and concentrate elicited a similar high to THC. The disposable vape also gave a similar high to THC, consistent with traditional “indica-style” sedative highs. 

Herban Bud’s products can definitely be judged by their covers, their creative packaging tells a lot about the products inside of them, colorful, creative, and clearly labeled. If you’re in a prohibition state, I would definitely recommend Herban Bud products for a legal alternative to traditional cannabis, or if you’re looking to explore the many alternatives coming to market. Since Herban Bud’s mission is to make cannabis widely available to the masses and combat stigma and criminalization, their products allow curious consumers in their home state of Texas and beyond a pathway into cannabis products without the worry of legal consequences.