Differences Between Hemp And Weed

Do you ever wonder if humans and apes are related? Stories of the “missing link” in human evolution are interesting, but we’re not the only species on Earth with a unique genetic family. If you’re interested in the mysteries of our world and its origins, you’re probably also a fan of cannabis. Did you know that hemp and marijuana are related? And that they have another popular cousin – hops? As in BEER? Let’s explore the world of plants and see which one is more similar to humans.

Hemp, cannabis, and hops are members of a family of plants with over 170 species. These plants are found across many temperate climates, and while they share some similarities, they are not genetically related. In this article, we will focus on the similarities and differences between hemp, cannabis, and hops, in order to help you make an informed decision about which source is best for you.

What separates hemp from cannabis is the presence of THC and CBD. Other factors, such as cultivation method and conditions, don’t matter legally.

There has been a long-standing misunderstanding about cannabis, hemp, and the active compounds we call THC and CBD. Let’s orient ourselves by looking at where we are today, and how we got here.

FROM PROPAGANDA TO PROPAGATION: The Hazy History of Hemp & Cannabis in North America

The history of cannabis and hemp shows that these plants have been unfairly targeted by government agencies. Hemp has been used for a wide variety of purposes throughout history, while marijuana has been unfairly considered a dangerous drug. Finally, in 2018, cannabis and hemp were legalized by the government and they are now considered safe plants.

Today is looking like the golden age of cannabis and hemp, as both the US and Canada are moving closer to legalizing the plants. In Canada, this happened in October 2018, while in the US, hemp was Federally approved in December 2018. However, in the US, there is still some resistance to legalizing cannabis due to the fear of THC. Hemp, on the other hand, naturally has a very low THC profile, so it is compliant with US law.

Canada is moving beyond its past concerns about the psychoactive effects of THC, and is now recognizing the potential medical benefits of this cannabinoid. There are THC limits for legal cannabis products, and research on the effects of THC on the mind and body is still in its early stages, so a lot of work still needs to be done before THC is fully accepted into society. However, CBD has been receiving a lot of positive development lately, with none of the psychoactive effects of THC but many of the same health benefits. CBD is being used increasingly to treat a variety of conditions, including epilepsy, chronic arthritis, MS, PTSD and even cancer.

Hemp and cannabis are two very different plants, with different cannabinoid profiles. However, there are many other things that make hemp an excellent option, such as its strong fibers and nutritional value. It has been used for millennia, and there is evidence that it has many medical benefits. In addition, hemp CBD is very safe, effective, and versatile.

Hemp is a versatile plant that is used for many things including textiles, health supplements, and even “hempcrete,” a type of concrete made with a bio-composite core of hemp and a lime-based binding agent. Hemp can be consumed as medicine or food, worn as clothing, and even used to build structures. However, marijuana is not as versatile as hemp and requires more restrictive growing conditions.

For these reasons, hemp is quickly becoming the preferred choice for those looking for health benefits without the psychoactive risks associated with cannabis. Many policymakers and consumers are beginning to ask themselves why bother with marijuana when hemp offers so many of the same benefits, with none of the psychoactive risks. This is a valid point to make, and it’s important to remember that having choices allows us to experience the full range of benefits that each plant can offer. Finally, we need to take a closer look at these plants under a microscope to appreciate their differences.

KNOW YOUR PLANTS: Hemp & Cannabis Defining Traits

Hemp is a variety of Cannabis sativa, so it’s technically a species or subspecies of the popular cannabis breed known to us as Sativa, but it’s not as easy as labeling cannabis as a low-THC or no-THC Sativa variety. A good view of cannabis is like a dog to a wolf; there is some evidence that dogs and wolves share a common origin, but this does not mean that all dogs are descendants of wolves. Hemp shares many similarities with cannabis such as leaves, vegetative life cycle, biology and cannabinoids that we can extract from both plants. However, hemp and cannabis are not the same thing, and in fact, cannabis is usually not the same as itself.

Cannabis comes in a variety of different strains, each with its own unique terpene and cannabinoid concentrations. While each strain has its own unique effects, it’s important to remember that cannabinoids interact with our bodies on an individual level, resulting in different experiences with similar levels of THC or CBD. A lot of research is currently being done on terpenes, which are now becoming the focus of the potential effects, benefits and uses for different cannabis genetics. It’s not as simple to say that “Sativas energize, Indicas make you sleepy” anymore, as more and more data about the hundreds of cannabinoids and terpenes comes to the surface. For an in depth tutorial on the fascinating world of cannabis terpenes, we recommend checking out our friends at Leafly.

To understand the differences between hemp and marijuana, it’s important to know the different types of cannabis. Luckily, we’ve already written an article that covers this topic in more detail.

There are some important distinctions between cannabis and hemp that you should be aware of when looking for certain products. For example, hemp contains high levels of CBD, while cannabis varieties can have a range of THC levels. There are thousands of different products available that contain higher or lower levels of THC and CBD, depending on your preferences. Before you choose a product, be sure to understand how cannabinoids affect YOU.

Are you looking for relief from pain, inflammation, insomnia or anxiety? Maybe a CBD strain of cannabis or hemp-derived product would better suit you, because there’s less risk of psychoactive effects (the “high”). Perhaps you’re not afraid of a little chill-inducing or consciousness-expanding THC, and you want to feel the relaxation associated with a strong cannabis product? THC definitely has its share of positive effects, and for many people, the psychoactive influences of consuming Tetrahydrocannabinol are not a negative thing at all, quite the opposite. If you have a very serious medical need for THC or CBD, then there’s also the combination of the two that you should consider.

Many people who use cannabis or hemp supplements want the “entourage effect,” which is the simultaneous reduction of side effects from different compounds in the cannabis or hemp plant. When you consume THC and CBD together, Cannabidiol can help diminish the psychoactive effects of THC, while THC can help boost the pain-fighting, anti-inflammatory, or reduce nausea effects at a much greater rate than CBD alone. These are just a few of the many benefits of the entourage effect, and how THC and CBD each have their own beneficial properties but can also work synergistically together to achieve a common goal: improved health and happiness.

Think about growing your own plants at home – both cannabis and hemp have a lot to offer, and it really depends on what you’re looking for in a plant. You can find many different types of cannabis or hemp that are perfect for your specific needs.