Hemp vs Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

There’s no denying that we’re in the golden age of cannabis, with more than half the population of the United States supporting its legalization. However, despite this overwhelming support, public knowledge about cannabis is relatively low. Among the most common misconceptions about the substance is the comparison of hemp vs marijuana. 

Although hemp and marijuana are both classified as cannabis plants, several factors differentiate them. This article demystifies the cannabis plant to identify what makes marijuana and hemp different. 

Is Hemp and Marijuana The Same Plant? 

Essentially, hemp and marijuana belong to the same plant species; Cannabis Sativa. Nevertheless, growing and harvesting hemp is different compared to marijuana. Moreover, although the scientific fraternity doesn’t distinguish the two plants, the law does. 

According to the law, the difference between hemp and cannabis is the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in the individual plants. THC is the cannabinoid that provides the psychoactive effect (high) associated with cannabis.

What is Hemp? 

Hemp, otherwise known as industrial hemp, refers to cannabis that has 0.3% THC or less by dry weight. For this reason, smoking hemp is unlikely to produce any euphoric effects. It has been legal to grow hemp within the United States since 2018. However, each state has regulations and programs for the legal cultivation and sale of industrial hemp. 

What is Marijuana? 

The term “marijuana” refers to the type of cannabis that can get you high. Therefore, this includes any cannabis strains with considerable amounts of THC. Furthermore, it is synonymous with “weed” and other informal names for THC-rich cannabis. 

Legally, marijuana refers to cannabis that contains 0.3% THC content or higher in dry weight. THC content can vary depending on the cannabis strain. For this reason, some marijuana plants can have as much as 25% THC or more. 

The word “marijuana” has a controversial past. The term was first used in the 1910s and 1920s when there were racist and growing anti-immigration sentiments about Mexicans migrating into the United States. The word became associated with Mexicans because they were stereotyped as people who frequently used cannabis. The US government also used the term in anti-cannabis propaganda, which spread myths about cannabis and perpetuated racist stereotypes. 

The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

Although the main difference between marijuana and hemp is the amount of THC, a few other factors also distinguish them. Here’s a breakdown of hemp vs cannabis to find out what other elements make them different.

Uses 

Marijuana, or cannabis strains with high THC content, have a psychoactive effect that makes consumers high. For this reason, such cannabis species are often used for recreational purposes. Marijuana also has health benefits and can be used for medical purposes like pain management. 

On the other hand, hemp contains significantly low THC and potentially higher amounts of CBD (cannabidiol). Consequently, they are not the go-to strain for recreational purposes. Nevertheless, hemp has plenty of other uses, including the production of ropes, textiles, paper, animal feed, and nutritional supplements.

Hemp is also useful for producing cannabis accessories like hemp pre-rolled cones. Plus, there are numerous hemp-infused blunt wraps in the market, such as high hemp wraps. These products provide all the benefits of cigar and blunt wraps without containing tobacco. If you want to learn more about them, you can find practical information on what hemp wraps are and how they benefit consumers.

Legalization 

Hemp has been federally legal in America since the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill. Still, despite being legal across the United States, laws governing the cultivation and sale of hemp differ from state to state. 

Marijuana, or cannabis containing more than 0.3% THC, is not legal at the federal level. However, state-by-state legalization of marijuana has progressed over the years. Medical marijuana is legal in 39 states, while recreational marijuana is permitted in 19 states. That said, it’s still illegal to transport marijuana across state borders. 

CBD Production

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a component of cannabis plants that has immensely grown in popularity thanks to its many potential health benefits. Since hemp and marijuana are dissimilar, a common question in the cannabis industry is; what is the difference between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD?
Quite frankly, there is no difference between the CBD that comes from hemp and the one derived from marijuana. However, CBD products like CBD infused blunt wraps are only legal if they are sourced from hemp and contain less than 0.3% THC.