Updated September 6th, 2020
The world has a long-standing and complex relationship with hemp and cannabis. Both plants can trace their origins back thousands of years to the ancient world and have hundreds of applications ranging from medicine to building materials. While there are distinct differences between hemp and cannabis, much of society is unable to differentiate between these two plant varieties.
What’s the Difference Between Hemp and Cannabis?
Hemp and cannabis (marijuana) both trace their lineage to the Cannabaceae family of plants. However, due to sharing many similar visual characteristics, it is often difficult to differentiate between these plant varieties despite having distinctly different chemical makeups and vastly differing applications.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant grown with the intent of producing budding flowers typically highly saturated with THC (up to 30%), a chemical compound accredited with a euphoric or otherwise soothing effect. Researchers have uncovered extensive evidence of cannabis use dating back more than 5 centuries in what is now Romania. Additional findings suggest its use as a medicine as early as 2,737 BCE.
Cannabis is also commonly referred to as a variety of street names.
Cannabis Legality
President Nixon declared a “War on Drugs” by signing the Controlled SubstancesAct of 1970, effectively outlawing and strictly regulating all forms of Cannabaceae in addition to many other substances. Despite its categorization as a Schedule I controlled substance for nearly 50 years, a total of 33 different state governments (including Washington D.C.) have passed legislation that legalizes cannabis for medicinal use. Individuals in these states can obtain a prescription for wellness marijuana with a recommendation from a healthcare professional.
What is Hemp?
Hemp is commonly characterized as a variety of Cannabaceae containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight and grown with an emphasis placed upon stalk, stem, and seed development. Perhaps the most versatile crop in existence, hemp has historically been utilized as an industrial commodity for centuries and is commonly employed in the making of a myriad of products, such as paper, canvas, rope, building materials, and textiles.
Hemp is additionally a common source of legally extracted cannabidiol (CBD). Accredited as one of the primary therapeutic compounds occurring naturally in the Cannabaceae family, CBD could potentially provide research-backed manifestation relief with no intoxicating effect.
Hemp Legality
The hemp plant was banned alongside cannabis with the signing of the U.S. Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Regarded as a schedule I controlled substance despite its non-intoxicating properties, hemp became heavily regulated by the newly established Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Hemp regained its status as an industrial commodity nearly 5 decades later with the passing of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018. Known more commonly as the U.S. Farm Bill, this law effectively restored hemp’s legal status. It was additionally removed from the list of federally controlled substances.
Hemp vs Cannabis: Primary Differences in Review
- Composition: Hemp is defined by federal law as containing less than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Alternatively, THC content in cannabis can currently reach a concentration of up to 30% and climbing.
- Legality: The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 outlawed all Cannabaceae varieties. Regardless of the re-legalization of industrial hemp with the passing of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, cannabis remains illegal on a federal level for all intents and purposes. Cannabis can, however, be prescribed in 33 different states as a wellness treatment.
- Applications: Despite the recreational value of cannabis, its potential as a wellness application is currently recognized in 33 different states and counting. Alternatively, while hemp is a common source of therapeutic CBD, it has a myriad of other applications, including the making of products such as paper, canvas, rope, building materials, and textiles.
A Final Word from Pure CBD Now
Pure CBD Now is a reputable vendor of high-quality CBD-infused products. Each of our offerings incorporates federally compliant CBD sourced from hemp, and are legal in all 50 states. Browse our wide selection of products by category or shop by brand! [Shop All CBD Products. They offer the following products, to name a few:
- Delta 8 Moon Rocks Bubba Kush Hemp Flower 28 grams – A quality hemp product by Delta 8. The combination of CBD, CBG, and Delta-8 allows you to relax and unwind, leaving you carefree!
- Blue Moon Hemp CBD Gummies – A good way to enjoy hemp especially when you are on the go. No THC added to the gummy.
- Hempzilla “Cherry Wine” Hemp Flower CBD – Experience hemp in its most natural, raw and pure form, providing simply the raw buds of the hemp plant. This particular flower product is derived from the Cherry Wine strain, which has been carefully bred to produce as many desirable properties as possible.
Author:
Joshua Willard (Freelance CBD Content Writer/Editor)
FDA Disclosure:
These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.