Since they both are derived from the cannabis plant, hemp and marijuana are like two sides of the same leaf. Hemp and marijuana are used to make different products and have different effects, despite sharing a parent plant.
In short, they are siblings rather than twins.
The law also distinguishes between hemp and marijuana. While only a few states have legalized marijuana, hemp is now legal on a federal level (under certain restrictions).
The purpose of Online Medical Card is to introduce you to the cannabis family tree and highlight the special advantages that both hemp and marijuana provide. Never again will you unintentionally refer to one by the incorrect name.
A Deep Dive into the Cannabis Plant
There are many terms used to describe the various types of cannabis, including species, strains, cultivars, and varieties. Fortunately, you can understand the distinctions between them without being a botanist.
Although this super-plant may seem like a genius at reducing pain and other medical symptoms, it is actually a genus of plants.
There is disagreement among some individuals regarding which species belong to the cannabis genus; it is typically divided into three:
- Cannabis sativa
- Cannabis indica
- Cannabis ruderalis
In order to combine and improve their desired traits, these species are frequently bred together to create hybrids. Cannabis cultivators have produced more than 700 different strains of cannabis, each with distinctive traits, from these species and hybrids. This number keeps rising because growers are always creating new strains.
That family tree is quite large. What role do marijuana and hemp play now?
A Brief Introduction to Cannabis Chemistry
Cannabis sativa is the species that includes both marijuana and hemp. They are essentially the same plant, as you might think, but they differ in one important way: the amount of cannabinoids they contain.
In addition to other chemical substances like terpenes and flavonoids, cannabis contains more than 100 distinct cannabinoids. According to the entourage effect theory, these substances interact with one another to increase their therapeutic effects.
Cannabis plants’ effects and legal classification can be altered by breeding them to contain different amounts of specific cannabinoids.
Among the most popular cannabinoids are
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC): The primary psychoactive ingredient in cannabis, THC reduces nausea by increasing appetite, eases pain, and can cause euphoria.
- Cannabidiol (CBD): Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a non-psychoactive substance that relieves pain and is also used to treat mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Only marijuana has enough THC to make you feel intoxicated, but hemp and marijuana both have some CBD and can be used to make CBD products.
Legally, a plant must have less than 0.3% THC by dry weight to qualify as hemp. Even though marijuana doesn’t contain enough THC to make you feel high, the law takes into account any plant with a higher THC percentage.
Hemp vs. Marijuana: Understanding the Key Differences
Let’s examine some of the main distinctions between hemp and marijuana because the debate is about more than just chemistry.
Physical Qualities and Uses
The appearance of hemp and marijuana plants is very similar. After all, they are essentially the same plant. While the plants that produce marijuana are bushier, hemp stalks are grown to be slightly taller and sparser.
One plant that is regarded as industrial is hemp. Hemp is primarily grown for its industrial applications, though many producers extract CBD from it to create CBD products like edibles and oils.
Among the hemp-based goods are
- Hemp seed, hemp oil, and other food products
- Paper
- Plastic
- Clothing and other textiles
Hemp is a good addition to your diet because it is high in protein and fiber. Additionally, it grows as quickly as a weed, so it’s a more environmentally friendly option than tree products.
More people are investigating the potential of CBD in hemp as a result of its recent legalization.
Though more growers are now breeding hemp with a higher CBD content that still stays below the 0.3% THC limit, hemp typically has less CBD than other types of cannabis. For those who need access to legal CBD products, this is good news.
On the other hand, marijuana is a medicinal plant. The most significant component of the plant is the marijuana flower since it is the primary source of cannabinoids. Growers manually harvest and prepare the cannabis flower for human consumption while using a machine to harvest the entire hemp plant.
You have the option to smoke the entire cannabis flower or sample any of the many different products that are available, such as:
- Edibles like candy and gummies
- Oils and tinctures
- Capsules
Effects
When used, the different amounts of THC and CBD in hemp and marijuana result in different effects.
Although most people concentrate on the psychoactive effects of marijuana, each strain has unique characteristics.
Although there is a lot of overlap, strains are typically categorized into three groups: sativa, indica, and hybrids.
The primary attributes of each are as follows:
- Sativa strains: These strains give users the euphoric, stereotypical “cerebral high” that most people associate with marijuana. It gives you energy, improves your mood, and can even help you focus.
- Indica strains: Choose an indica strain if you’re looking for a holistic, natural sleep aid. By creating what some refer to as a “body high,” indica products help you relax and relieve pain.
- Hybrid strains: These strains are referred to as “hybrids” because they exhibit characteristics of both indica and sativa. Which properties are more dominant will determine the precise effects.
Products made from hemp don’t get you high like marijuana does because they contain very little, if any, THC. Rather, CBD’s calming and non-psychoactive qualities take center stage.
However, there is one exception to this rule. Manufacturers found a method to create THC variations, like delta-8 THC, from CBD derived from hemp. Despite being less strong than “normal” cannabis-derived THC (also known as delta-9 THC), these variations nevertheless produce observable psychoactive effects. Check out one of our many delta-8 guides to learn more about this important topic.
Legality
Federal and state laws are where hemp and marijuana diverge most.
At the federal level, marijuana is currently prohibited from being grown, sold, possessed, and used due to its Schedule I classification. Despite the federal government’s assertion that it has “no medical uses,” an increasing number of states are acknowledging its therapeutic benefits.
Currently, 24 states have legalized marijuana for recreational use, and 38 states have passed legislation allowing its use for medical purposes.
In states where medical marijuana use is the only permitted use, you must:
- A qualifying condition recognized by the state program (e.g., anxiety, cancer, or chronic pain)
- A prescription from a healthcare professional with a state license
However, not every state program is the same; some only permit low THC, high CBD products, while others permit the use of THC marijuana products.
The legality of hemp is an entirely different matter.
Through the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018, commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill, the federal government essentially legalized the production and distribution of hemp. CBD products derived from hemp can now be produced and sold by manufacturers and growers, subject to certain regulations, provided that the THC content is less than 0.3%.
Products that contain delta-8 THC have become more popular as a result of manufacturers’ curiosity about extracting other compounds from hemp after it was legalized.
Despite being produced from legal hemp-derived CBD, delta-8 THC and other variations are found in a hotly debated legal gray area. Since delta-8 products are manufactured in a lab rather than being naturally derived from hemp, many states now have laws prohibiting or restricting their use.
Online Medical Card Paves the Way for Holistic Healing with Medical Cannabis
Do you want to see for yourself the therapeutic benefits of both marijuana and products made from hemp? Applying for a medical marijuana card online with Online Medical Card is the first step on your journey to pain relief.
In certain states, you can only get marijuana with a medical card, even though hemp is legal on a federal level. Online Medical Card streamlines the recommendation process to provide life-saving drugs more quickly and easily. We put you in touch with qualified, experienced professionals who can assess your medical eligibility and provide you with the next steps—all from the convenience of your own home.
Make an online appointment right now to find out if medical marijuana is the best course of action for you. It is guaranteed that you will either be approved on the same day as your appointment or receive your money back. Additionally, if you’re looking to grow 99 plants in CA, you may need a special cultivation license that allows for expanded personal or commercial cannabis cultivation under California law.