There is a widespread belief that hemp and marijuana refer to two distinct species of plant. This is not the case. In point of fact, they cannot even be considered to be members of separate species. Cannabis, a species of flowering plant that belongs to the family Cannabaceae, is commonly referred to by both of these names. Although there is no difference between “hemp” and “marijuana” in scientific terms, there is in legal terms. In terms of the law, the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary distinction between the two. The cannabis plant contains a wide variety of chemicals known as cannabinoids, including THC. It is this component that is primarily to blame for the “high” that is commonly associated with cannabis.
Hemp FAQ:
When referring to cannabis, one talks about “hemp” if it has a THC content of 0.3 percent or less when measured by its dry weight. Why 0.3% of the total? This definition was first put forward in 1979, in a book titled “The Species Problem in Cannabis: Science & Semantics.” In this book, the author, Ernest Small, discusses the fact that it is difficult to differentiate between hemp and cannabis due to the fact that there is no actual taxonomic difference between the two. Small suggested using the 0.3 percent rule as a possible solution; however, he admitted that the number was completely arbitrary on his own. 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 hemp contains such a negligible amount of THC, consuming it is highly unlikely to cause intoxication.
Marijuana FAQ:
When most people talk about “marijuana,” they are referring to cannabis strains that have psychoactive properties. This term, along with “weed” and a number of other terms, is often used interchangeably. According to current legislation, the term “marijuana” refers to cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. The amount of THC that is contained in cannabis plants can vary. Some cannabis strains are purposely bred to have a higher concentration of THC than others.
Cannabis plants can either be of the Cannabis sativa or Cannabis indica variety, or they can be hybrids of the two. Although scientific research has not yet confirmed these claims, it is believed that each of these possesses a unique set of qualities and effects.
Medical Cannabis FAQ:
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is in charge of overseeing the medical use of cannabis; the USDA has no authority in this area. Outdoor cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes is extremely limited. Cannabis plants that are mature enough to be used for medical purposes will have characteristics such as resinous leaves, dense flowers, and brown or white “hairs.” The distribution network for medical cannabis is well-established and subject to stringent regulation. The harvests are collected from mostly indoor growing facilities, transported to labs where they are subjected to stringent testing, then processed into pharmaceutical products under strict quality control, and finally distributed to dispensaries located across the country.
Each of these is subject to the regulations of specific state bodies in addition to those of federal bodies. Cannabis for medical purposes is not available to everyone, and those who do use it for that purpose are required to do so only after consulting with their personal physician. Some people working in the industrial hemp industry believe that cannabis genetics high in CBD should be subject to the same kinds of regulations as those high in THC and that these regulations should be made by the same bodies. Furthermore, there are already facilities dedicated to the processing and production of CBD products within the medical cannabis industry.
As more states make marijuana use for recreational purposes legal, it will be fascinating to observe how this industry adapts and develops in response.
Cannabis Plant
Plants belonging to the Cannabis Sativa L. species are referred to collectively as cannabis. There are three distinct types of cannabis plants that can be found within the species:
- Cannabis Sativa
- Cannabis Indica
- Cannabis Ruderalis
In spite of this, the cannabis Sativa and cannabis Indica species are the ones that have brought the plant its most notoriety. Because each of the species possesses unique qualities and characteristics, its individual members are subject to experience a diverse range of effects and consequences. For instance, Sativa is known for producing euphoric feelings and a “heady high,” whereas Indica is known for producing a “body high” that can soothe aches and pains. Both types of cannabis are psychoactive. As a result of this, Sativa strains are frequently selected for the adult-use (recreational) market, whereas Indica strains are utilized more frequently in the medical space.
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that are found in cannabis plants. These cannabinoids interact with your body to produce the high or the health benefits associated with cannabis use. Over 110 different cannabinoids have been discovered by researchers in the cannabis plant. CBD, also known as cannabidiol, and THC are the two chemicals that receive the most attention (Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol). It is commonly believed that cannabidiol, or CBD, is the chemical in cannabis that has medicinal properties, while tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the chemical that causes psychoactive effects. On the other hand, recent research has shown that THC may have some therapeutic applications. Smoking the buds of cannabis or removing the THC and transforming it into an oil that is then ingested has been the traditional method of consuming cannabis. In today’s more advanced medical practices, cannabis is prepared for use in the form of oil, pills, and mucosal sprays. Many different forms of it are consumed for a variety of reasons, including wellness and recreation. Cannabis users who consume the strain with a higher concentration of THC report feeling euphoric and report a delay in their motor responses after using the drug. It is a depressant drug, which means that it slows down the activity of the central nervous system and delays messages between the brain and the body. Specifically, it slows down the transmission of messages from the brain to the body. In this regard, it is analogous to the consumption of alcohol.
The Difference
The distinctions between hemp, marijuana, and cannabis are technical in nature but also fundamental in nature. Cannabis is the name that is accepted by the scientific community for all of them. They are all related to one another through the family Cannabaceae and have been around for a very long time. Slang names for the cannabis plant include marijuana, weed, and pot. Marijuana is one of these names. Hemp is merely a type of cannabis plant that has a low THC content and is utilized in the production of a variety of resources in addition to having a wide range of applications in the industry. People in Michigan are taught to use the terms cannabis and marijuana interchangeably so that they can get a better grasp on the fact that these two terms refer to the same thing. In Australia, cannabis refers to cannabis that is used for medical purposes, while marijuana is the term that is typically used to refer to cannabis that is used for adult recreational purposes.
Despite the fact that there is a lack of scientific evidence to support these purported health benefits, CBD has garnered a significant amount of public interest due to its potential to treat a wide range of physical and mental health problems. Hemp and cannabis are two distinct varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, with hemp having a higher concentration of CBD and cannabis having a lower THC content. The majority of CBD products on the market are derived from hemp plants because these plants have a significantly higher concentration of CBD and almost no THC, the component of cannabis that is responsible for producing psychoactive effects. People who are experiencing mental or physical difficulties and are thinking about using CBD should discuss the possibility with their physicians first to ensure that it will not interact negatively with any medications they are currently taking. The CBD that comes from hemp has a different legal status than CBD that comes from cannabis. Get in touch with us here at Shoots ‘N’ Roots if you’re interested in learning more about cannabis.