CBD, Cannabis, and Hemp: What’s the Difference?

So, you’ve heard about cannabis being legal as well as all of its proven health benefits, such as reduced pain, anxiety, and depression. Now you’re ready to give it a try, but you’re confused about the difference between marijuana and hemp CBD. Does this sound like you?

If so, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between CBD, cannabis, and hemp. We’ll also show you how to use hemp-derived CBD or marijuana-derived CBD, and which one works best for your needs. Read on to learn more. 

What is CBD and Where Does It Come from?

To understand the difference between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD, it’s important to define cannabis first. Cannabis refers to a group of the following three plants that contain psychoactive compounds: Cannabis Sativa, Cannabis Indica, and Cannabis Ruderalis.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is one of the primary bioactive compounds found in the cannabis plant. It’s responsible for many of the health benefits of medical marijuana, such as reduced anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, and more. However, CBD can be derived from either the cannabis plant or the hemp plant, which is a cousin to the cannabis plant. 

CBD can be derived from either hemp or the marijuana plant. However, CBD is the primary bioactive compound in the hemp plant whereas marijuana contains about 100 different beneficial compounds, including THC - the psychoactive compound that is responsible for giving you a high sensation. We will break down the differences between the plants below.

What is Hemp?

Hemp refers to a variety of the C. sativa plant. It has been grown for hundreds of years, and has been used to make sails, food, rope, clothes, and more.

Research shows that industrial hemp has an extensive history in the United States. In fact, the third US president - Thomas Jefferson - grew hemp himself. 

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp refers to the C. sativa plant with less than 0.3 percent THC. It can be grown legally in most parts of the United States because it only contains THC at low levels. However, certain processed types of hemp can get you high, such as gummies, tinctures, or capsules. 

What is Cannabis?

Cannabis refers to the three strains of C. indica, C. sativa, and C. ruderalis plant mentioned above. However, there are also several hybrid plans that contain a mix of these three strains that are considered to be marijuana. 

These cannabis plants contain higher levels of THC than hemp plants. Cannabis plants also contain less CBD than hemp plants, and this ratio has become more pronounced over the past several years. 

According to one study, the potency of the average cannabis plant increased from 4 percent in 1995 to 12 percent in 2014. The same report indicated that the average levels of CBD in cannabis plants decreased from 0.28 percent in 2001 to 0.15 percent in 2014.

Cannabis-CBD vs Hemp-CBD: Which is Better?

Hemp plants and cannabis plants both contain CBD and THC. However, hemp contains less THC than cannabis. Both plants also contain about 540 other substances. The primary difference between the two is the amount of each substance they contain. 

For example, cannabis has more THC (the substance that gets you high) than CBD, and hemp contains more CBD with less THC. However, it should be noted that the benefits of CBD do not vary between these different plants. In other words, the chemical composition of CBD does not change in hemp or cannabis. 

The biggest difference is that the amount of CBD that is available for extraction varies. Because hemp plants contain more CBD, it is easier to extract for many manufacturers. However, hemp does not contain enough THC to get you high in most cases, which is why many people buy medical marijuana in the first place. 

So, while you can get the health benefits of CBD from either hemp or cannabis, you’re better off buying marijuana if you prefer the high associated with using weed. Cannabis also tends to have a higher cannabinoid and terpene profile than hemp, giving it a more favourable profile for various other health benefits. This is important because these compounds work together to provide a desired effect, and CBD isolates may not provide the most bang for your buck.

Final Thoughts

To sum it up - CBD refers to the highly sought after bioactive compound found in the marijuana plant. However, it can also be found in the hemp plant. The primary difference is that marijuana contains higher levels of other compounds, including THC. 

For a more complete plant profile, we recommend going with cannabis or marijuana for your needs. However, the CBD structure between hemp and cannabis is the same. So, you can find the best option for you by weighing your needs first. 

When you’re ready to make a decision, check out our CBD products here!