Hemp vs Marijuana: The Difference Explained

The difference between hemp and marijuana is a subject that is often improperly explained.

As demand for CBD continues to skyrocket, the CBD industry has developed into a unique, independent market yet closely related to the Cannabis industry, including its controversial reputation and shifting legalities.

Due to the confusion and complications that this can present for CBD users, it has become increasingly important to understand the difference between hemp and marijuana and how they relate to Cannabis.

What’s the difference Between the Hemp plant vs the Marijuana Plant?

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family, consisting of three primary species: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

While hemp and marijuana are regularly referred to as “species” or “strains” of Cannabis, they actually do not qualify as either one. In fact, they couldn’t technically be considered individual plants at all…

Hemp and marijuana are simply broad classifications of Cannabis adopted into our culture; however, they are not legitimate nomenclature for the Cannabis plant.

To clarify the difference between Hemp and Marijuana and clear the smoke on this frequently misinformed subject, let’s explore what each of these terms actually means and how they relate to Cannabis.

What is Hemp?

“Hemp” is a term used to classify varieties of Cannabis that contain 0.3% or less THC content (by dry weight).

While the legal definition described above had not been wholly legitimized until the Agricultural Act of 2018 had passed, “hemp” has generally been used to describe non-intoxicating Cannabis that is harvested for the industrial use of its derived products.

With evidence of its use recorded throughout history, including the discovery of material made from hemp over 10,000 years ago, many believe that hemp was the first crop ever cultivated by mankind. Numerous examples of hemp being grown by the United States founding fathers are found in many of the nation’s historical documents. Even copies of the Constitution were written on hemp paper!

With the capabilities to produce crucial resources such as food, rope, clothing, paper, housing material, and more, hemp has been the catalyst for man’s earliest innovations. The durability of its fibers, and resistance to rot, made hemp an important agricultural product even before the intoxicating effects of certain strains of Cannabis were widely known in the new nation.

What is Marijuana?

“Marijuana” is a term used to classify varieties of Cannabis that contain more than 0.3% THC (by dry weight) and can induce psychotropic or euphoric effects on the user. This THC “cutoff” level has significant legal implications, which we will dive into in just a minute.

While the use of this term Marijuana (or “Marihuana” as it was historically spelled) is widespread throughout American culture, it presents a grossly inadequate misrepresentation of Cannabis. Most informed individuals and organizations in the Cannabis industry today refuse to use the term, and some still consider it to be “racist.”

In early American history, the term “marijuana” was non-existent, and “cannabis” was the primary term used to classify the plant.

Between 1910 and 1920, nearly a million Mexicans migrated into the United States seeking refuge from the Mexican Revolution.

During this time, anti-Mexican sentiment had begun to steep. The term “marijuana” arose as a negative correlation of its use by Mexican immigrants.

Soon after, rumors began to surface, warning Americans of the dangerous and homicidal tendencies caused by using “Mexican cannabis” or “locoweed,” which led to an even greater rise in anti-Mexican sentiment.

As the negative perception of Cannabis intensified, the government began regulating Cannabis more aggressively.

By 1927, 11 states had passed anti-marijuana laws. By the 1930s, anti-marijuana propaganda and the fear of “Reefer Madness” were in full swing.

After the passing of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, which imposed heavy, unrealistic taxes on the plant’s possession, sale, and transportation, the federal government had effectively banned “marijuana,” paving the way for the next 80 years of cannabis prohibition.

The Confusion Presented by Hemp vs Marijuana

Based on the context used to describe Hemp and Marijuana, the defining characteristic between the two is based on a single factor. The amount of THC in the plant, or rather whether it will get the user high.

While the intoxicating properties of each plant are a vital factor to consider. Categorizing Cannabis as either hemp or marijuana based on a single characteristic presents a skewed portrayal of Cannabis. Which prevents users from fully understanding its diversity, separate from its legality.

To give you a comparison, consider the taxonomic hierarchy of fruits in the citrus species:

As portrayed in the chart above:

Categorizing Cannabis as either Hemp or Marijuana is akin to classifying all fruits in the citrus genus as either sweet or sour without acknowledging the diverse characteristics of each fruit.

In addition, hemp flower and marijuana flower can often appear indistinguishable from one another.  Unless a viewer just happens to be carrying the necessary chemical analyzing equipment to confirm the levels of THC, many “hemp” plants are indistinguishable from those plants characterized as “marijuana,” at least to the naked eye.

This has already led to numerous issues of law enforcement officers making arrests and seizing hemp that is 100% legal because it looks exactly like “marijuana.”

The classification of hemp or marijuana absent of a true understanding of Cannabis presents a clear function issue. Is it being used to get “high” (aka as “marijuana”), or is it being used for another, non-intoxicating purpose (aka “hemp”). Whichever it is, the definition is still incomplete.

The obvious solution is for these confusing descriptive words is for them to have never existed. However, now that these terms have become deeply ingrained in our society, this problem will be difficult to reverse.

The only realistic solution to that part of the confusion is re-educating our society over time.

In the meantime, it’s probably best to stay informed about what hemp and marijuana mean and how they are used in our society and legal system to know your rights and avoid any complications when using hemp or CBD products.

4 Key Differences Between Hemp and Marijuana

As varieties of the same plant species, hemp and marijuana share many similarities and appear exactly alike.

You definitely do not want to get these two confused with contrasting legal regulations and very different effects and usages.

To understand how different these two are, consider these 4 key differences between hemp and marijuana.

Hemp vs Marijuana: Composition

The defining characteristic between hemp and marijuana is the chemical composition contained within each plant.

Both hemp and marijuana can produce high amounts of CBD, the non-intoxicating cannabis compound; however, THC is produced at very different levels.

While hemp can contain no more than 0.3% THC by dry weight, marijuana can contain up to 30% THC content.

Hemp vs Marijuana: Legality

Due to the difference between their levels of THC, hemp and marijuana are regulated very differently under the law.

While hemp was previously regulated as an illegal substance under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970. It was removed as an illegal substance under the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. Which federally legalized hemp and hemp-derived products that contain no more than 0.3% THC.

Marijuana, on the other hand, is still treated as a controlled substance and is federally illegal under the Controlled Substance Act. Obviously, many states have their own laws making it legal for adults, 23 states + Washington, D.C., and counting.

Hemp vs Marijuana: Cultivation

Hemp and marijuana are harvested for different purposes, so, naturally, they require different growing conditions.

Marijuana varieties are selectively bred in controlled environments designed to optimize the breed’s characteristics and produce female plants that yield budding flowers.

To properly cultivate a marijuana or cannabis plant, a grower must pay close attention to the plant at each stage of its life cycle. And maintain exact conditions in its environment, such as proper temperature, lighting, and humidity.

In contrast, hemp is grown to maximize its size and yield; to achieve this, hemp is typically grown outdoors. It does not require the level of control and attention necessary to grow marijuana. The male plants are generally preferred here, as bud-size or maximizing THC content are no longer the goals with hemp.

Hemp vs Marijuana: Usage

Hemp and marijuana each offer a range of usages unique to their composition.

As a powerful psychoactive agent, THC can directly bind to the CB1 and CB2 receptors in the Endocannabinoid System, which induces the mind-altering, euphoric effects referred to as being “high.”

While marijuana is commonly recognized for its recreational uses, studies have revealed its potential in various therapeutic applications.

In comparison, hemp is harvested to produce a wide variety of products including, but not limited to:

• industrial products such as paper, clothing, building materials, and plastic
• Food products such as cooking oil, hemp flour, and hemp seed-based products
• Medicinal products such as Cannabidiol (CBD) are then used to produce a variety of items, including CBD vape juice, CBD tinctures, CBD topicals, and other CBD-infused products.
• Recently, the rise of delta-8, an isomer of THC that is derived from hemp, has resulted in a new type of hemp-derived product.

Hemp-Derived CBD vs Marijuana Derived CBD

When it comes to CBD and the case of hemp and marijuana, we are faced with yet another important subject that must be addressed.

CBD can be derived from either hemp or marijuana; however, given each plant’s unique characteristics, one would assume that the CBD derived from each plant is different in some way.

Surprisingly, they aren’t.

Jeremy Riggle, Ph.D., and Chief Scientist at Mary’s Nutritionals, says that “the CBD molecule and its associated pharmacology are the same, whether it was extracted from hemp or from marijuana. CBD is CBD, regardless of where it was originally derived from,”

So if CBD is the exact same at a molecular level, CBD should be legal whether it’s derived from hemp or marijuana, as long as it’s below 0.3% delta 9 THC, right? Not exactly…

This is where the law can get a little confusing, but let me explain.

Under the Agricultural Act of 2018, commonly known as the “2018 Farm Bill”, hemp and hemp-derived products, including hemp-derived CBD, were legalized.

A common misconception about the 2018 Farm Bill is that it legalized CBD regardless of its derived from hemp or marijuana. This is not true.

Based on the guidance of the DEA, CBD is still considered a Schedule I controlled substance. Their guidance is just that and has no authority to overrule other federal laws.

If, however, the CBD is derived from hemp which. Remember, contains no more than 0.3% THC; it would not be regulated as a controlled substance and is federally legal.

The keyword here is “derived from hemp.”

The 2018 Farm Bill explicitly applies to “hemp and hemp-derived products.”

It does not include marijuana-derived CBD, which remains under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation as a controlled substance. Most CBD wouldn’t be derived from marijuana plants for commercial reasons, so this isn’t generally a risk to anyone buying or possessing CBD products.

Even if the CBD contains 0.0% THC, if it is derived from marijuana, it is not legalized under the 2018 Farm Bill.

To summarize and re-clarify:

• Hemp-derived CBD is legal if it contains 0.3% THC or less under the Agricultural Act of 2018.  While that makes it federally legal, a few states still have some limiting regulation of CBD.
• Marijuana-derived CBD is illegal and is still classified as a controlled substance regardless of its percentage of THC. This is a non-factor for most consumers, as CBD is unlikely to be extracted from highly regulated marijuana plants.

FAQ

What other cannabinoids are in the Hemp or Marijuana plant?

The hemp plant, in general, is full of various cannabinoids, including CBDa, CBG, CBD, CBN, and the newly popular marijuana substitute Delta 8 THC.

What type of CBD products can I buy?

You can buy all sorts of CBD products, including CBD oil, edibles, tinctures, topicals, and even raw hemp flower for your smoking joy.

Does “sativa” and “indica” matter for CBD?

Yes and no. The effects of indica or sativa traditionally associated with the marijuana plant are created via the natural terpenes in the plant. Different combinations produce different results, either sedating, energizing, or somewhere in the middle. Both the hemp plant and marijuana plant have terpenes in them, so theoretically, you can get sativa, indica, or hybrid strains of CBD as well. When plants are processed into vape mixtures, tinctures, or distillate, terpenes need to be re-added to the product.

What’s the difference between Delta 9 THC and Delta 8 THC?

Delta 9 THC is found naturally in the marijuana plant and is responsible for the psychoactive high. Delta 8 THC is found naturally in both the hemp and marijuana plants; however, it is a minor cannabinoid and not as abundant. The hemp plant has to be processed to obtain a high concentration. Although I hope that a true grown Delta 8 hemp flower will eventually be available on the market.

Delta 8 is said to be a weaker high that is more relaxing and less anxiety-inducing; therefore, it’s often referred to as weed lite. Personally, I’ve never really noticed a difference between the two.

They will both potentially show up on a drug test, but Delta 8 is currently much cheaper and more widely available.

Hemp vs Marijuana: Final Thoughts

While the subject can be a bit complex and quite confusing, I hope to shed some light on this important subject and properly explain the difference between hemp and marijuana.

Despite the dysfunctional use of the terms “hemp” and “marijuana,” these terms have become deeply ingrained in our culture and society. Legal definitions differ greatly, and provide some context to which “version” is approved of by different parts of society, and which is still stigmatized (though not as much as previously!).

There is definitely a need to re-educate America about Hemp and Marijuana. Still, to reverse this issue, it will have to take time. Many people still associate “hemp” with its mind-altering cannabis cousin.

Because these terms are used in a legal context, it’s essential to understand what they mean, how they’re different, and how they relate to Cannabis to understand your rights and avoid potential legal complications when using CBD products. Even more importantly today, the sudden popularity of delta-8, a cannabinoid with many of the same mood effects as regular THC, but derived from legal hemp and still maintaining <0.3% delta-9 THC, casts even more shadow on the distinction between hemp and marijuana, and will only get more unclear under current laws.

Thanks for reading the latest version of Hemp vs Marijuana! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to drop a comment or email me at info@CBDOrigin.com.