The landscape of free product samples and promotional offers in the UK extends across numerous categories, from beauty and baby care to health and household goods. For consumers interested in hemp-derived products, specific programmes offer opportunities to trial items such as hemp flower strains, tinctures, and related merchandise, often by covering only the cost of shipping. These initiatives are designed to allow both individual consumers and wholesale buyers to assess product quality, cannabinoid profiles, and brand suitability before making a larger financial commitment. The available information points to two primary programmes offering such samples, each with distinct eligibility criteria, product ranges, and access methods.
Hempex Free Sample Programme
Hempex operates a free sample programme focused on its range of premium hemp products, including rare cannabinoids such as CBG and CBDV. The programme is structured to allow customers to explore different strains and formulations by paying only for shipping, which is typically under $10. This low-cost entry point is positioned as a way for both individual consumers and wholesale buyers to test products before committing to a larger purchase. The programme is not limited to a single product type; it encompasses various product lines including hemp flower, tinctures, extracts, and oils.
Eligibility and Access The programme is open to both individual consumers and wholesale buyers. There is no indication of a mandatory purchase requirement to access the free samples; the primary cost is the shipping fee. The process involves visiting the Hempex website, navigating to the “Samples” section, selecting from the available range of hemp products, and paying the shipping cost. Free shipping is available for orders over $99, which may be relevant for customers considering larger sample orders or subsequent purchases.
Available Sample Products The specific free samples available through the programme include a selection of indoor-grown, hand-trimmed hemp flower strains. The documented strains are: - CBG White Flower: Noted for its smooth effects and premium quality. - CBDV Forbidden V: A rare CBDV-rich flower, described as ideal for therapeutic purposes. - Sour Candy Kush: A popular strain with robust flavour profiles. - Sour Suver Haze: A premium flower with high CBD content, recommended for relaxation.
Beyond flower samples, the brand’s broader product lineup includes full-spectrum CBD and CBG tinctures tailored for wellness routines; extracts and isolates (CBD, CBG, and CBDV) for personal use or product formulation; and full-spectrum and broad-spectrum hemp oils for versatile applications. While the free sample programme specifically highlights the flower strains, the existence of these other product categories suggests potential for future or expanded sample offerings.
Quality Assurance and Testing A key aspect of the Hempex programme is the emphasis on product quality and transparency. All products undergo rigorous third-party testing for purity, potency, and safety. Certificates of Analysis (CoAs) are provided by SC Labs, a certified laboratory, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, including the <0.3% THC limit as outlined by the 2018 Farm Bill. This testing framework is intended to provide customers with peace of mind regarding the safety and legality of the products they are sampling.
Brand Mission and Strategy Hempex’s mission is grounded in quality, innovation, transparency, and sustainability. The company specialises in rare cannabinoid products and caters to both the consumer market and wholesale buyers. To engage customers further, Hempex plans to utilise educational video content and podcasts, such as the “Hemp Explorer” podcast. This content aims to explain product offerings, industry trends, and the science behind rare cannabinoids, with episodes dedicated to topics like the free samples programme, product benefits, and sustainability.
Royal Queen Seeds (RQS) Freebies and Merchandise
Royal Queen Seeds offers a different model for free products, primarily tied to online purchases rather than a standalone sample request. The programme provides free cannabis seeds and sustainable merchandise as part of the checkout process when a customer makes a purchase.
Eligibility and Access The freebies, including seeds and merchandise, are available to customers who are making an online purchase. The process involves adding items to the cart, proceeding to checkout, and then selecting the desired free seeds from an available table or list. The specific number of free seeds a customer is eligible for depends on the value of their purchase, though the exact eligibility tiers are not detailed in the provided source material. The free merchandise items are also offered in conjunction with a purchase.
Available Free Products The free products are divided into two categories: seeds and merchandise.
Free Seeds: The programme offers free seeds to organic cannabis growers. Customers can select the strain that catches their eye the most from the available options at checkout. The specific strains available for free are not listed in the source data.
Sustainable Merchandise: The merchandise focuses on environmentally friendly products, aligning with a sustainability theme. The available items include: - Organic Paper: Organic unbleached hemp papers and filters, which arrive in sustainable packaging made from pine and bamboo. - Pocket Ashtray: A portable ashtray constructed partly from Kraft paper, designed to be nearly 100% sustainable and allow for smoking without leaving a mess. - Hemp Wick: Made from natural EU hemp and beeswax, this product allows for a different kind of cannabis incorporation into the combustion process. - ECO Grinder: A grinder made from natural and degradable materials, designed to bring an earthen aesthetic and the smell of the forest to the smoking room. - Poker Cards: Environmentally friendly poker cards made from Kraft paper. - ECO Rolling Tray: A rolling tray made from recycled plastic, described as an essential component for cannabis enthusiasts.
Customer Feedback and Product Reception Anecdotal feedback from customers, as seen in a product review for the Free Hemp Wick, indicates positive reception. One user noted it was "good trying it now, with CBD it's goood.." and another mentioned receiving it as a gift. This suggests that the free merchandise items are being received and tested by customers, though this feedback is from an unverified source and should be treated as anecdotal.
Comparison of Programmes
The two programmes serve different purposes and operate under different models. The Hempex programme is a dedicated free sample request system where the primary cost to the consumer is shipping. It is designed for product discovery and is accessible without a prior purchase. The Royal Queen Seeds programme, conversely, is a promotional add-on to a purchase, incentivising larger orders by bundling free seeds and merchandise. It is not a standalone sample request service but rather a value-add for existing customers.
Both programmes emphasise quality and sustainability. Hempex focuses on third-party lab testing and transparency regarding cannabinoid content and safety. Royal Queen Seeds highlights the use of organic and sustainable materials in its merchandise and packaging. The target audience for Hempex appears to be both consumers and wholesale buyers interested in rare cannabinoids, while Royal Queen Seeds targets organic growers and consumers interested in sustainable smoking accessories.
Conclusion
For UK consumers interested in hemp-derived products, the available free sample and merchandise programmes offer distinct pathways to trial products. The Hempex Free Sample Programme provides a low-cost method to explore a range of premium hemp flower strains and other products by covering only shipping fees, with a strong emphasis on quality assurance through third-party testing. The Royal Queen Seeds programme offers free seeds and sustainable merchandise as a bonus with online purchases, appealing to those making a purchase and valuing environmental considerations. Consumers should review the specific eligibility requirements, product offerings, and costs associated with each programme to determine which aligns with their interests and needs. As these programmes are subject to change, visiting the official brand websites is recommended for the most current information on available samples, strains, and terms.