CBD cigarettes are rolled hemp flower containing cannabidiol, often marketed as a nicotine-free alternative to tobacco. This leads to the misconception that they are free from the harmful byproducts associated with traditional smoking. The scientific answer to whether burning hemp flower contains tar is a definitive yes. Tar production is an unavoidable result of burning any organic plant material, including hemp or tobacco. The combustion process creates a complex mixture of chemical compounds that pose a significant health risk, regardless of the plant’s active ingredients.
The Mechanism of Tar Formation
Tar is the sticky, dark residue that remains after smoke cools and condenses. This residue is created through thermal decomposition, which occurs when plant material is heated to high temperatures. When a CBD cigarette is lit, the intense heat causes the hemp to undergo pyrolysis—the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of complete oxygen.
During pyrolysis, the cellulose, lignin, and other compounds in the hemp flower are chemically fractured. These fragmented molecules cool rapidly as they are inhaled, combining to form thousands of different compounds that make up the viscous, particulate matter known as tar. The resulting mixture of hydrocarbons deposits in the lungs. The presence of tar is a direct consequence of combustion, not the specific cannabinoid content of the plant.
Quantifying Tar Levels in CBD Smoke
Studies comparing the smoke from cannabis (chemically similar to high-CBD hemp flower when burned) and tobacco cigarettes reveal that the volume of inhaled particulate matter is a serious concern. Research indicates that a typical cannabis joint produces a total particulate matter (TPM) mass—the physical measure of tar—that is significantly greater than that produced by a standard filtered tobacco cigarette. One study found that the total mass of particulate matter was 3.4 times greater in a cannabis joint compared to a tobacco cigarette, suggesting a greater physical burden on the respiratory system from hemp smoke on a per-gram basis.
This difference is often related to the product design. Standard tobacco cigarettes utilize filter ventilation, which dilutes the smoke with air, artificially lowering the measured tar delivery. CBD cigarettes and most cannabis joints lack this ventilation system, meaning the smoke is less diluted and the user inhales a more concentrated stream of combustion products.
While the chemical profile of the tar can vary, the physical volume of this sticky material remains the primary health hazard. The high concentration of physical particulate matter inhaled, regardless of the exact chemical breakdown, causes irritation and long-term damage to the respiratory tract.
Other Harmful Combustion Byproducts
Beyond tar, the combustion of hemp flower releases several other toxic byproducts that pose immediate and long-term health risks. One of the most dangerous is Carbon Monoxide (CO), a colorless, odorless gas resulting from incomplete combustion. CO displaces oxygen in the bloodstream, forming carboxyhemoglobin, which reduces the blood’s ability to deliver oxygen to vital organs.
The smoke also contains various Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carbonyls, which are known toxicants. Specific compounds identified in hemp smoke include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acetone, and acrolein. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen, while acrolein is a highly irritating substance that contributes to cardiovascular risk.
Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is also a component of the smoke aerosol. These microscopic particles travel deep into the lungs, causing irritation and inflammation. The inhalation of these non-tar compounds from hemp smoke carries many of the same respiratory and cardiovascular risks associated with inhaling any type of smoke.
Alternatives to Smoking CBD
For individuals seeking the benefits of CBD without the risks of smoke inhalation, several non-combustion delivery methods are available. These methods bypass the thermal decomposition process entirely, thus eliminating the production of tar and other harmful combustion byproducts.
Tinctures
Tinctures are CBD oils designed for sublingual (under the tongue) absorption. They offer precise dosing and fast effects without involving the lungs.
Edibles
Edibles, such as gummies, capsules, and infused beverages, provide a discreet and long-lasting effect, as the CBD is processed through the digestive system.
Vaporization
Vaporization, or “vaping,” heats the hemp material or CBD concentrate to a temperature below combustion, creating a vapor rather than smoke. While not completely risk-free, vaporization significantly reduces the levels of tar and other combustion toxins compared to smoking.