Often, the difference between marijuana and hemp is not explained well. The demand for CBD and related substances is continuing to rise, making the hemp industry into a unique market. Because of the complications and the confusion that cannabis users may experience, it is important for you to understand the difference between marijuana and hemp. Continue reading to learn more.
What’s the Difference?
Cannabis is part of the Cannabaceae family, which has three main species in it. These are Cannabis ruderalis, Cannabis sativa, and Cannabis indica. Many people refer to marijuana and hemp as being strains of the cannabis family.
When people talk about cannabis, they often mean Cannabis sativa. This is plant naturally grows in some tropical areas, including in Asia, Central America, and Africa. Karl Linnaeus first described the plant and named it “Cannabis sativa L.” The L referred to his last name. This breed is the tallest type of cannabis and often reaches several feet tall.
Later, Cannabis indica was discovered. Unlike its sativa cousin, it does not do well in tropical regions. Instead, it flourishes in mountainous, arid regions. This includes areas like the Afghanistan hills and some areas in India. The indica version is bushier and shorter than sativa. Some people even think that indica plants look like little Christmas trees.
The last variety is Cannabis ruderalis. This plant grows best in the northern parts of the world, including Poland, China, and Russia. The Cannabis ruderalis variety grows well in harsh conditions and different environments. It is a hardy, small plant. Humans have historically used the Cannabis ruderalis plant for nutrition and fibers.
Over many years, the three species of the cannabis plant have bred together many times. Now, it is often difficult to tell the difference between them. It is rare to find a Cannabis ruderalis plant. However, the marijuana community often uses indica and sativa plants.
Neither hemp nor marijuana qualifies as Cannabis ruderalis, Cannabis sativa, or Cannabis indica. Marijuana and hemp are actually classifications of plants that cannabis culture adopted. However, neither term is the right name for the cannabis plant. To better understand their differences, it is a good idea for you to know what “hemp” and “marijuana” really mean.
What Is Hemp?
Hemp is a name that classifies certain types of cannabis plants. The plants under this name have about 0.3 percent of THC or less, based on the dry weight. In general, hemp has been used to describe cannabis that is nonintoxicating. It is harvested so industries can derive products from it.
There is evidence that hemp has been used throughout history. In fact, it was discovered that hemp was used to make material more than 10,000 years ago. Many people believe that this is one of the first crops that mankind cultivated.
The hemp plant is not just for consumption, however. It can also be used for rope, housing material, paper, and clothing, among other items. Hemp can even be used in personal care items, such as shampoos and soaps.
What Is Marijuana?
This is a term that can classify different varieties of the cannabis plant when they have more than 0.3 percent of THC in them. This is still based on the dry weight of the plant. Because of the THC content, it can cause feelings that are euphoric or psychotropic.
In culture, this term is used widely. However, it does not adequately represent the cannabis plant. Many people or companies in the cannabis industry do not use the term. Understanding the history of the term can give you a better understanding of why this is.
In the early part of American history, the name “marijuana” did not exist. Instead, people simply called it the cannabis plant.
Then, from about 1910 to 1920, almost a million people from Mexico moved to the United States after the Mexican Revolution. At the time, there was a strong anti-Mexican sentiment. People used the term “marijuana” to negatively correlate it with immigrants from Mexico. After this, people began to hear rumors about how “locoweed” or “Mexican cannabis” caused dangerous, homicidal behavior. This only fueled negative feelings against Mexicans.
The government began to put stronger regulations on cannabis as this negative feeling rose. By the late 1920s, 11 states had passed laws banning the herb. In the 1930s, anti-marijuana propaganda had risen. Later that decade, the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 was passed, which put heavy taxes on selling, transporting, and possession of the herb.
Hemp vs. Marijuana Confusion
Based on the context used when talking about marijuana or hemp, many people think there is a simple difference between the two of them. This is the amount of THC that the plant contains and if it will get the user high or not.
This is an important factor to consider. However, describing the cannabis plant as being either marijuana or hemp based on only one characteristic is not entirely accurate. It can paint the wrong picture of cannabis, which stops you from understanding just how diverse the plant is.
For example, think about the citrus family. You have limes, lemons, oranges, kumquats, and many other plants. However, if you just limit yourself to classifying them as sour or sweet, you do not gain a good understanding of the many other types of citrus fruits. In the same way, classifying cannabis as being either marijuana or hemp does not acknowledge the many characteristics that each one has.
Hemp and marijuana can often be hard for you to tell apart. This has caused issues with police officers already. They have seized hemp and made arrests, even though the product was legal. This is because it looked like marijuana, which is illegal.
The solution to this problem would have been for the two words to have not existed in the first place. However, now they are deeply engrained in society, making the issue hard to reverse. Staying informed about the real definitions of marijuana and hemp and how society and the legal system use them can help you avoid complications. It can also help you better understand your rights.
Hemp and marijuana are very similar, and they sometimes look identical. However, there are four key differences you should keep in mind.
Chemical Composition of Marijuana and Hemp
The chemical composition of each plant is the main difference between the two of them. Each plant has a different composition chemically. Each plant can produce a lot of CBD, which is a cannabis compound that does not intoxicate you. However, there are many different levels of THC depending on the strain. Hemp has no more than about 0.3 percent THC. However, marijuana can have up to 30 percent THC.
Legality of Marijuana and Hemp
Because of the range of THC levels that these plants might have, they are regulated very differently in the United States. In the past, hemp was considered to be an illegal substance. However, the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 made it legal. The act legalized products that were derived from hemp, as well as the plant itself — provided it did not exceed the limit of THC.
On the other hand, marijuana is still considered to be a controlled substance. It is federally illegal under the country’s Controlled Substance Act. However, different states may have different laws about the use of marijuana.
Cultivation of the Plants
There are different purposes for both marijuana and hemp, so you can expect there to be different methods for harvesting each one. For example, they require different conditions while growing. A marijuana plant is selectively bred. This is done in a controlled environment so the characteristics of the breed will be optimized. That way, female plants that make budding flowers will be produced.
To cultivate a marijuana plant the right way, the grower will need to pay strict attention to the plant as it grows. This includes each stage of the plant’s life cycle. Depending on the stage of the plant, certain conditions in the environment must be maintained. This includes the right humidity, temperature, and light conditions.
On the other hand, the goal of growing hemp is to maximize how much of the plant can be harvested. The hemp will usually be grown outdoors to give it enough space. It does not need to have as much attention and control as a marijuana plant does.
Usage of Each Type of Plant
Both plants have a wide variety of different uses. These will be unique to the composition of the plant. THC can bind to the endocannabinoid system’s CB2 and CB1 receptors. This is what can create a euphoric and mind-altering effect. It is also known as being high. Often, marijuana is known for being used recreationally.
On the other hand, you can make a wide arrange of products from the hemp plant. This includes such items as:
- Industrial products, such as plastic, clothing, paper, and building materials
- Food items, such as hemp flour, cooking flour, and products made from hemp seeds
- CBD, which can be used in many items, such as CBD tinctures, CBD vapes, CBD topicals, and other products
- Biofuel
- Plastics
- Insulation
Many people use hemp for the seeds. They can be ground up and used for different types of cooking. They can also be sprouted and eaten, or the spouts can be dried and then crushed into a powder. Some people like to get hemp oil, which has been extracted from the seeds. This is high in unsaturated fats.
Even though the leaves of the hemp plant do not have as many vitamins and minerals as the seeds, people still consume them often. For example, they can be used in salads. Sometimes, people like to press the juices out of the leaves for a vegetable juice drink.
CBD from Hemp vs. CBD from Marijuana
You can get CBD that comes from either marijuana or hemp. Because the plants are different, you might assume that these types of CBD are significantly different. You might be surprised to learn that they actually are not.
The CBD molecule and its effects are identical, whether it comes from marijuana or hemp. No matter where it originated from, CBD is still CBD. You would think that makes the substance legal, as long as there is no more than 0.3 percent of THC in it. The law can be a little confusing here.
Under the 2018 Agricultural Act, both hemp and products that were derived from hemp — including CBD — became legal. However, you might believe that this bill legalized the substance no matter where it came from. This is not true.
CBD that comes from marijuana is still considered to be a controlled substance. However, if it came from hemp that originally had no more than 0.3 percent of THC in it, it is not a controlled substance. This makes it legal under federal law. The 2018 Farm Bill only legalized products that come from hemp. On the other hand, marijuana products are still regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Closing Thoughts
The difference between marijuana and hemp can seem confusing and more than a little complex. But hopefully, you now understand the subject a little better. Despite how dysfunctional the names marijuana and hemp are, both the legal system and society have used the terms for many years. They are now ingrained deeply.
The country needs to be reeducated about marijuana and hemp, but it will take a significant period of time to do so. You do need to understand the difference between the two of them because the legal system uses them. Understanding how they work, what they mean, and how each one is related to cannabis will help you understand what your rights are a little bit better. This can help you potentially avoid having any legal issues when you are using your cannabis or CBD products.