Hemp vs Marijuana What’s the Difference?

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Discussions about hemp vs. marijuana and its legality is a hot topic, within almost every state of the USA. The legal status of the hemp plant is contentious only because it is a member of the cannabis family.  

People often become confused about the distinction between marijuana and hemp, even the governments, but more so for political reasons and perhaps not sound judgment!

If you are interested in the hemp vs. marijuana debate and the implications they hold, including the differences between them, then continue reading. 

Let us examine the differences between industrial hemp and marijuana, and why the two require separate legal terms.

Difference between Hemp and Marijuana Is?

Hemp and marijuana belong to the same ‘cannabis’ plant. Contrary to popular belief, multiple types of cannabis have different effects.

There are different types of cannabis, and when it comes to hemp, the story is one of the remarkable health benefits without the ‘high.’

Cannabis sativa grows naturally in Central America, Africa, and Asia. Karl Linnaeus, who discovered and named the plant. Sativa is the tallest of the cannabis type, reaching between 2-4 meters in height.

Cannabis indica grows in arid regions, such as in Afghanistan and regions of India. The Indica type is much shorter and bushier than sativas, and resemble a small Christmas tree.

And, there is a Cannabis ruderalis. It is grown predominantly in the northern hemisphere in China, Russia, and Poland. Ruderalis survives harsh environments and extreme climates.

A reasonably small and robust plant. People have used ruderalis plants for their fibers and proper nutrition.

Over time, these three subspecies have repeatedly bred together. A clear distinction between them is difficult.

Ruderalis plants are the rarest. Both Sativa and indica plants found in the recreational and medicinal marijuana community. 

But what about hemp?

The industrial hemp we grow today is of the Cannabis sativa variety. It is related to marijuana, although the two types are very different.

So What Is Hemp?

Due to the rapid increase in cannabidiol products, people often search for hemp CBD, as it has the highest quality. But what is it?

Although industrial hemp is part of Cannabis sativa species, it is not a plant that can be used recreationally as a drug. Currently, hemp is primarily used for extracting CBD to make supplements.

Even though hemp contains reasonable quantities of CBD, it is none of the psychoactive compounds known as THC.

The chemical name for THC is Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. It’s renowned for causing the high with marijuana use. Hemp contains insufficient quantities of THC.

And Federal law defines hemp as a cannabis plant containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. 

This amount of THC will not get you ‘high.’

 

 

What Is Marijuana?

Hemp contains low quantities of THC, and marijuana plants can provide 30% THC, making them very potent.

The levels of THC allow marijuana to produce the ‘high,’ and give feelings of euphoria. It is used in several states where it is legal to do so for medicinal purposes.

The Marijuana plant comes the Sativa and indica varieties. And each type offers different effects.

Hemp, which is a stable Sativa plant, is completely different from marijuana, which can be a cross-bred mixture of anything.

 

The Four Differences

It is essential to discuss the most fundamental differences between hemp vs marijuana

•      Composition

As both are from the same cannabis species, hemp and marijuana have cannabinoids. However, the levels of cannabinoids in each are very different.

Hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, and marijuana contains 5-20% THC on average. And it is found that some strains can reach 30%+ THC.

By contrast, hemp contains higher levels of CBD, while marijuana plants can be tested at less than 1% CBD.

Therefore with this cannabinoid composition, it’s impossible to get high using hemp. 

•      Legality

At one point in time, both hemp and marijuana were judged illegal. Since the plants are related, the government banned hemp at the same time as it made cannabis illegal.

It is unfortunate, as hemp used to be widespread and used for a considerable number of things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marijuana remains illegal on a federal level. Each state has its laws on marijuana. Some states allow for medicinal usage for individual patients and permit adults to use cannabis for recreation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nevertheless, it remains a banned drug federally.

The 2018 Farm bill left hemp of the Controlled Substances Act, allowing people to access hemp for the first time in many years.

Remember that a small number of states have reacted by prohibiting hemp at the state level as well, so hemp is not a legal substance in all states!

•       Cultivation

Marijuana is cultivated with extreme care and cautiously monitored for temperature and humidity during every stage of its growth.

Plants are grown separately or spread far apart, and nutrient intake is controlled meticulously.

Hemp is extremely simple to grow by comparison. Hemp can grow in almost any condition and grows the wild and requires very little care.

It can reproduce and without chemicals or fertilizers, allowing hemp crops to be grown organically.

•      Usage

Marijuana is reasonably limited in its usage. Users can smoke marijuana recreationally to get high.

Or use it medicinally for potential therapeutic benefits. It depends where you live in the US.

Hemp has extraordinary applications. Before being outlawed, the abundant fibers used to make sailcloth for yachts. The fibers were ideal for producing cloth and clothing and used in the construction and building industry.

Bio-concrete and bioplastics companies were using hemp. Furthermore, the seeds are full of useful nutrition.

For CBD, both types of plants are fully utilized.

Hemp-Derived CBD vs. Marijuana-Derived CBD

In both hemp and marijuana, Cannabidiol is produced. It has higher quantities in hemp, though. As for CBD-infused oil produced from marijuana known as ‘cannabis oil,’ it contains a high amount of THC as which is not the same.

Typically, users opt for hemp-derived CBD because it contains less than 0.3% THC, and it, because it has, has been removed from the Controlled Substances Act.

As each state has different laws, hemp-derived CBD is approved and popular among users.

It is possible to use marijuana-derived CBD. However, you will possibly need a referral from a doctor.

Conclusion

The current discussions about hemp vs marijuana and its legality is a contentious topic and sometimes a highly emotive debate.

The legal status of the hemp plant is controversial only because it is a member of the cannabis family. 

It assists governments and pharmaceutical companies, due to the vast profits being made from the sale of over the counter drugs and opioids. Until a proper understanding is formed based on scientific evidence is will remain a divisive argument.  

Even though hemp and marijuana are both members of the cannabis species, they are incredibly different. It is confusing when trying to understand this between the two, especially if going on appearance alone.

However, right now, it essential to learn the difference. The health benefits are extraordinary; however, it is an ideological change that is required as much as it is medical and scientific. 

In the CBD industry, hemp oil is genuinely essential. With more understanding of hemp, CBD users will be able to access products of better quality products, which will make using CBD much safer for everyone.