Hemp vs Marijuana: The Important Differences Explained

Hemp vs Marijuana: The Important
Differences Explained

Many have long misunderstood the significant differences between
marijuana and hemp. Today, these differences are beginning to
become more well known especially as the federal government
helps define the two types of cannabis separately. Despite this
progress, confusion between hemp and marijuana is still
widespread.

Q: Are Hemp and Marijuana Different?
A:Yes!

First, it is important to understand that the two plants share a
commonality in that they are both a species of plant called
Cannabis Sativa L. This species of plant is well known for its 7
leaf pattern that is heavily associated with recreational marijuana
use. Both hemp and marijuana feature this leaf pattern:

Comparing Hemp vs Marijuana

Looking beyond the species, the common traits between the two
varieties begin to dwindle. Marijuana and hemp are different in their
appearance, growing methods, chemical makeup, and potential
uses. Each of these aspects contributes to the significant overall
differences between the two plant varieties:

Chemical Makeup

Laws established in the USA and Canada have created a specific
classification for hemp based on its chemical makeup. Today, the
legal term industrial hemp is used to describe hemp classified as
having less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC) on a
dry weight basis. Because of the low THC content, hemp is non-
psychoactive if smoked or consumed in an extracted form. These
THC levels have been achieved in specific strains thanks to years
of breeding low-THC plant varieties. Additionally, high-CBD hemp
strains burst into the mainstream in 2013 thanks to the medicinal
use of the extracted cannabinoids and other plant material.

Marijuana is a variety of cannabis well known for its high
concentration of Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive high-producing
compound. There are many strains of marijuana available featuring
different cannabinoid and terpenoid makeups. Marijuana has been
extensively bred to increase the amounts of THC present in order to
maximize the psychoactive qualities of the plant. Some of the
highest THC strains average a 20-25% THC content on a dry
weight basis.

Appearance

Hemp is a fibrous plant thanks to the large stalk which can result
in plants up to 20 feet tall. The 7-leaf pattern often shows skinnier
leaves concentrated at the top of the stalks.

Marijuana is a shorter, stalkier plant than hemp. These plants
feature broader leaves with an abundance of budding flowers
growing around the stalks. These flowers are often covered in
crystal-dusted hairs.

Growing Conditions

Hemp can be grown in a wide variety of climates with minimal care.
Often the plant is grown in large greenhouses or in outdoor farming
operations.
Marijuana is grown in precisely controlled indoor environments.
Tight control of the growing environment means that grow
operations are smaller in scale than hemp operations.

Use & Potential Applications

Hemp has long been known for its 25,000+ potential product uses
thanks to its fibrous makeup and versatile seeds. More recently
high-CBD strains have been used as a source to create CBD oil
extracts used in a wide range of products known for their non-
psychoactive, therapeutic benefits.

Marijuana is commonly trimmed of its leaves and stalks down to
the flowering buds which are then smoked or consumed as a
recreational, medical, or spiritual psychoactive drug.

Legal Status of Hemp & Marijuana

Hemp, marijuana, and cannabis have long been confused by
lawmakers and the public. In 1970 the Controlled Substances Act
(CSA) classified all forms of Cannabis Sativa L as Marijuana and
thus illegal. This generalized grouping caused all varieties of hemp
and marijuana to become a schedule 1 controlled substances -
regardless of their use or psychoactivity.

Thanks to the progress resulting from the 2014 and ultimately the
2018 Farm Bill, hemp has finally been lifted from the purview of the
CSA. The result of this bill was that hemp is finally defined
separately from marijuana. If cannabis contains 0.3% THC or less
by dry weight, it is now considered hemp, not marijuana. Hemp is
now federally recognized as a legal substance in the eyes of the
federal government, lifting hemp out of schedule 1 status once and
for all.

Despite this clear classification state, tribal, and regulatory bodies
are still working on local regulation across the hemp industry. We
work hard to maintain compliance in an ever-changing landscape.

"Article from Blue Sky Botanicals"