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There are many words going around regarding cannabis, with two of the most popular being ‘hemp’ and ‘marijuana’. Lots of people know that these terms are not interchangeable, but many may not be aware of the actual difference between hemp and marijuana. The word ‘Cannabis’ is the name of the plants of the Cannabaceae family which is made up of three subspecies: Sativa, Ruderalis, and Indica. Hemp and cannabis belong to the same species, Cannabis Sativa. The hemp and cannabis plant was first classified by a Swiss botanist Carl Linnaeus who called it Cannabis Sativa.
Hemp as mentioned, is a specific type of cannabis that has been grown for hundreds of years. It has been used to make food, ropes, sails, clothes, and much more. Hemp plants are also known to have low levels of the intoxicating phytocannabinoid which is more known as THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), and is well known in marijuana. Hemp, however, contains high levels of Cannabidiol (CBD) which is a non-intoxicating phytocannabinoid. The level of THC is what legally defines hemp and marijuana in the U.S., where hemp is defined to contain 0.3% THC or less. Other plants that exceed the 0.3% THC limit are thought of as marijuana and are illegal under the CSA (Controlled Substances Act).
Additionally, hemp is popular for being one of the most versatile plants in the world. For instance, a stalk of the hemp plant can be used for the development of biofuels and the manufacture of textiles. Also, the seeds can be eaten or used for making hemp seed oil, and the flowers of the plant can be used for CBD extraction and used in many different products, such as skincare and edible products.
The word Cannabis refers to a genus of flowering plants, members of the Cannabaceae family, which includes nearly 170 plant species. The genus is divided into three species of cannabis plants: sativa, indica, and ruderalis, as well as a range of hybrid plants which are a mixture of these three strains. These cannabis plants are also made up of many varying levels of THC than hemp plants and contain less CBD than hemp plants.
Nowadays, ‘cannabis’ and ‘marijuana’ are sometimes used interchangeably in the industry, which tends to cause confusion. This is due to the word ‘cannabis’ technically referring to the entire genus of flowering plants which includes hemp and marijuana. It is therefore not accurate to exclude hemp when using the term. The word ‘marijuana’ has historically been used to differentiate between cannabis and hemp-based on the percentage of THC in each plant.
Both cannabis and hemp plants have CBD and THC as well as more than 540 other substances. What makes these two plants different is the amount they contain each compound. Cannabis is known to contain more THC and less CBD, whereas hemp has more CBD and less THC. What is most important is that the benefits of CBD do not change if it is derived from cannabis or from hemp. Also, the common side effects, such as feeling tired, feeling on edge, or having an upset stomach, remain the same. The reason is that the chemical makeup of CBD is not based on which plant it is derived from.
Nevertheless, the available amount of CBD for extraction depends on the source it is extracted from. Hemp plants hold far more CBD, which makes them a more beneficial option for manufacturers and the option with the least possible legal consequences. Hence, the main difference between CBD hemp and CBD cannabis is their legal status.
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