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The difference between hemp and cannabis is often misunderstood. Here’s a look at how these two plants are different and how they’re used.
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The Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis
Hemp and cannabis are two popular terms that are often used interchangeably. However, there is a big difference between the two. Hemp is a type of cannabis that contains less than 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), while cannabis contains more than 0.3% THC.
The History of Hemp and Cannabis
Cannabis is a plant that has been used for millennia. The first recorded use of cannabis dates back to 2727 BCE, when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung used it to treat a variety of ailments. Cannabis was also used by the ancient Greeks and Romans and was introduced to the Americas by Spanish settlers in the 16th century.
Hemp is a variety of cannabis that is grown specifically for industrial purposes. Hemp was first cultivated in China around 2800 BCE, and it was later brought to Europe by Germanic tribes in the early Middle Ages. Hemp was used for a variety of purposes such as rope, sails, and paper.
The difference between hemp and cannabis is that hemp contains only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” associated with cannabis use. This means that hemp cannot be used for recreational purposes, but it can be used for a variety of industrial and medicinal applications.
The Different Uses for Hemp and Cannabis
Hemp and cannabis are two plants that are often confused. Both come from the Cannabis sativa plant, and they have many of the same properties. However, there are some important differences between the two.
Hemp has been used for centuries to make rope, paper, and clothing. It is also a source of food and oil. Hemp seeds contain all 20 amino acids, including the nine essential amino acids that our bodies cannot produce. They are also a good source of protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is mostly used for its psychoactive effects. THC is the main psychoactive compound in cannabis, and it is what gives the plant its recreational properties. CBD is another compound found in cannabis that has some therapeutic effects but does not cause a high.
The Difference in cultivation
The main difference between hemp and cannabis is that hemp is mainly cultivated for its fiber and seeds while cannabis is mainly cultivated for its psychoactive effects. Hemp is grown in temperate climates while cannabis is typically grown in warm climates. Hemp plants are taller and have thinner leaves than cannabis plants.
The Different Varieties of Hemp and Cannabis
The main difference between the two plants is that hemp contains 0.3% or less of THC. THC is the compound that gets users high. In other words, hemp won’t get you high, but cannabis will.
Hemp and cannabis are members of the Cannabaceae family, which contains just two genera: Cannabis and Humulus (hops). These plants are annual flowering herbs that have been used by humans for millennia. Both hemp and cannabis evolved in Central Asia, and they were brought to the Americas by early settlers.
Cannabis comes in many different varieties, which are often classified into two main groups: indica and sativa. Indica strains tend to be short and stocky, with wide leaves, while sativa strains are taller and thinner, with narrower leaves. Hemp is typically classified as a sativa strain.
Cannabis can also be further divided into subcategories based on how it’s grown:
-Outdoor: Cannabis that’s grown outdoors in natural sunlight.
-Indoor: Cannabis that’s grown indoors under artificial lights.
-Greenhouse: Cannabis that’s grown in a greenhouse with natural sunlight supplemented by artificial lights.
-Hydroponic: Cannabis that’s grown without soil; instead, the roots are suspended in a nutrient-rich solution.
Hemp must also be grown under specific conditions to minimize THC content and maximize CBD content. Hemp is typically planted in large fields and harvested using industrial equipment such as combine harvesters. The plants are then dried and processed to extract CBD oil or powder, which can be used to make a variety of products including tinctures, salves, capsules, edibles, and topicals.
The Different growing Conditions
The two plants look quite similar, but there are a few key ways to tell them apart. For starters, hemp is tall and skinny, while cannabis can grow short and stocky. Hemp also has skinnier leaves, while cannabis leaves are wider and more broad.
Hemp requires less water than cannabis and can be grown in a variety of climates and soil conditions. Cannabis, on the other hand, prefers a warmer climate and more stable soil. Hemp also grows much faster than cannabis.
Cannabis plants contain higher levels of THC, the compound that gives users a “high” feeling. Hemp plants contain only trace amounts of THC (0.3 percent or less), so they can’t get you high.
The Difference in the Chemical Composition
The main difference between hemp and cannabis is the chemical composition of the two plants. Hemp contains very low levels of THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Cannabis contains high levels of THC. THC is the compound that makes people feel “high” or “stoned.”
The Different Cannabinoids in Hemp and Cannabis
When people think of cannabinoids, they usually think of THC, the cannabinoid that gets people high. However, there are actually dozens of different cannabinoids in cannabis plants, and each one has unique effects.
THC is just one of the many cannabinoids found in both hemp and cannabis plants. However, the THC content of hemp is much lower than the THC content of cannabis. Hemp plants contain less than 0.3% THC, while cannabis plants can contain up to 30% THC.
While THC is the most well-known cannabinoid, it’s not the only one with important effects. CBD is another cannabinoid that has been shown to have a variety of therapeutic effects. Hemp plants are higher in CBD than cannabis plants, which is why hemp is often used for medicinal purposes.
There are dozens of other cannabinoids found in hemp and cannabis plants, and each one has a different effect on the human body. Some cannabinoids have no known effect on humans, while others are being studied for their potential therapeutic benefits.
The Different THC Levels in Hemp and Cannabis
Hemp and cannabis are both varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, but they have different levels of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, while cannabis can have up to 30% THC. This means that hemp will not make you high, but cannabis will.
The Legality of Hemp and Cannabis
Hemp and cannabis are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant that is grown for industrial purposes. Cannabis, on the other hand, is grown for its psychoactive properties. Hemp contains very low levels of THC, the compound in cannabis that gets you high. This means that hemp is not psychoactive and will not get you high.
The Federal Laws Regarding Hemp and Cannabis
In December of 2018, the United States federal government passed the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill effectively legalized hemp on a federal level by removing it from the controlled substances list. With this newfound legality, there has been a surge of interest in hemp and cannabis products. However, it is important to understand that there are still strict federal laws regarding these substances.
Hemp is defined as a cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that gives users the “high” feeling. Because of its low THC content, hemp can not be used for recreational purposes. However, it can be used for a variety of other applications such as food, fuel, fabric, and more.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is defined as a cannabis plant that contains more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Cannabis can be used for both recreational and medicinal purposes. In states where it is legal, people can purchase cannabis from licensed dispensaries.
It is important to note that while hemp and cannabis are both derived from the same plant species (cannabis sativa), they are two different plants. Hemp is typically grown for industrial purposes while cannabis is typically grown for recreational or medicinal purposes.
Federal law states that it is illegal to transport hemp or cannabis across state lines if the substance contains more than 0.3% THC. This means that even though hemp is legal on a federal level, it is still illegal to transport it across state lines if it contains more than 0.3% THC. For this reason, many manufacturers of CBD products source their hemp from countries where cannabis is legal (such as Canada) instead of sourcing it from within the United States.
The State Laws Regarding Hemp and Cannabis
Although hemp and cannabis are both members of the Cannabis sativa species, they have been bred for different purposes. Hemp is usually grown for its fiber, which is used to make rope, fabric, and paper, while cannabis is mostly grown for its psychoactive properties.
The legal difference between hemp and cannabis has to do with the amount of THC in the plant. THC is the compound in cannabis that gets you high. Hemp plants contain very little THC, while cannabis plants contain high levels of THC. In the United States, hemp must contain less than 0.3 percent THC to be considered legal.
The federal government legalized hemp cultivation in 2018 with the passage of the Farm Bill. However, individual states have their own laws regarding hemp and cannabis. Some states have legalized both hemp and cannabis for medical or recreational use, while other states only allow for the sale of CBD products derived from hemp plants.
Before buying or using any type of Cannabis sativa product, it is important to check your local laws to make sure you are in compliance.
The Future of Hemp and Cannabis
Hemp and cannabis are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. Hemp is a type of cannabis that contains 0.3% or less of THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis. This means that hemp cannot get you high. Cannabis, on the other hand, contains more than 0.3% THC and can get you high.
The Potential for Hemp and Cannabis
The future of hemp and cannabis is an exciting one. With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp was federally legalized in the United States. This has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for farmers and entrepreneurs alike.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is still federally illegal in the United States. However, many states have passed their own laws legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational use. The cannabis industry is rapidly growing and is expected to continue to do so in the years to come.
Hemp and cannabis are similar plants, but they have some key differences. Hemp is typically grown for its industrial uses, such as making textile fibers and paper. Cannabis, on the other hand, is grown for its psychoactive effects. THC is the main psychoactive compound found in cannabis, and it is not found in hemp plants.
The potential applications of hemp and cannabis are vast. Hemp can be used to make a wide variety of products, including food, cosmetics, and biofuels. Cannabis can be used for medical purposes or recreationally. The possibilities are endless!
