Post: Hemp vs. Cannabis: What’s the Difference?

Hemp

Cannabis

Uses

Legality

CBD

Takeaway

Both hemp and cannabis plants are the same species. The main difference lies in how much of a specific cannabinoid each contains.

It’s a common misconception that hemp and cannabis are two different species of plant. In fact, they’re not distinct species at all. They’re just two different names for cannabis, a type of flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family.

While science doesn’t differentiate between “hemp” and “cannabis,” the law does. Legally, the key difference between the two is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.THC is one of many cannabinoids (a type of chemical) found in the cannabis plant. It’s the one that’s primarily responsible for the “high” associated with cannabis. What is hemp? The term “hemp” is used to mean cannabis that contains 0.3% or less THC content by dry weight. This definition was first proposed in 1979 in a book called “ The Species Problem in Cannabis: Science & Semantics .”In the book, author Ernest Small addresses the fact that it’s difficult to distinguish hemp and cannabis because there’s no actual taxonomical difference between the two.Small proposed the 0.3% rule as a possible solution, but he acknowledged that it was arbitrary. This number was used in the legal definition of hemp, as specified in the Agricultural Act of 2018 and other laws in the United States.Because the THC level in hemp is so low, it’s unlikely to cause intoxication. What is cannabis? Usually, when people say “marijuana,” they’re talking about cannabis that can get you high. The term is used interchangeably with “weed” and a number of other terms.Legally, “marijuana” refers to cannabis that has more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. THC content can vary among cannabis plants. Some strains are bred to be higher in THC than others.Cannabis plants have been designated as Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, or a hybrid. Each of these has its own purported characteristics and effects , although science has yet to verify this. History The word “marijuana” is quite controversial due to its racist roots .In the early 20th century, many […]

Hemp vs. Cannabis: What’s the Difference?