The Cannabis industry has long been a popular topic of discussion, even stirring up controversy at times. But despite the buzz around cannabis, not everybody is aware of the interesting details on the plant. First off, it’s important to make a distinction between the two different types of cannabis; hemp and marijuana. Hemp and marijuana might look similar to the naked eye, but the truth is that the plants have key differences that have completely different implications on their usage and sale.

Curious about differences between hemp and marijuana? Keep reading for a breakdown of their key distinctions.

Psychoactivity

Perhaps the most important difference to note between the two types of cannabis plant is their varying effect on the brain and body. While marijuana elicits a psychoactive effect on people, hemp is non-psychoactive. In plain speech, this essentially means that hemp cannot get you “high”.

Most people associate cannabis with the “high” or “stoned” feeling that marijuana causes. This might go along with feelings of sluggishness, altered or heightened sensory perceptions, an altered sense of time, and many other side effects that ultimately hinder sobriety. 

While this experience might be enjoyable for some, it is certainly not for everybody. Luckily, hemp is non-psychoactive. This means it can offer an alternative to cannabis lovers who do not want to get “stoned”. Although it is not psychoactive, hemp can still provide a long list of physical and psychological benefits to those in favor of alternative medicine. 

Chemical Makeup

You might be wondering why two different types of the same plant have such different impacts when consumed. The answer lies within the chemical makeup of cannabis plants. 

All cannabis plants contain chemicals called cannabinoids, which vary slightly from one to another. Two main cannabinoids, CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), account for the main distinguishing factors between hemp and marijuana. 

While both types of cannabis contain multiple cannabinoids, hemp usually contains a higher CBD content, while marijuana has a notably higher THC content. Additionally, hemp typically has low levels of THC.

This distinction counts for a lot when it comes to distinguishing between the two categories of cannabis. THC is the chemical responsible for marijuana’s psychoactive properties. The low THC levels in hemp are what make it non-psychoactive, and subsequently, federally legal. 

Legality

While hemp has been federally legal in the United States as of 2018, marijuana is still not legal on a federal level. This makes hemp consumption much less complicated than its sister plant. Marijuana is legal in some states, whereas hemp is available (with varying restrictions) for legal purchase in all 50 U.S. states. 

How does the U.S. make a legal distinction between hemp and marijuana? Once again, the answer depends on cannabinoid content. Cannabis plants with a high CBD content and less than 0.3% THC legally qualify as hemp. On the contrary, any cannabis plant with over 0.3% THC qualifies as marijuana and fall victim to harsher federal and state restrictions. 

The history of cannabis legality in the U.S. is long and sometimes complicated. If you are interested in learning more about hemp’s legal history, check out our article on the 2018 farm bill. 

Looks

Physical appearance might also help differentiate between hemp and marijuana in some situations. Although they are part of the same plant species, there are some subtle differences in the way the two plants look.

Hemp plants are typically tall and thin, while marijuana plants tend to stay shorter and wider. Additionally, the individual leaves on a hemp plant will often be more spindly than that of a hemp plant. 

Overall, there are a few simple yet important distinguishing factors between the two types of cannabis. For any cannabis user, it is helpful to be aware of these distinctions. Stay tuned with Silver Rain to learn more important and interesting information about hemp.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.