When researching different cannabis products, you might find yourself confused about the differences between THC and CBD, or even the differences between CBD and hemp. Aren’t they all from the same kind of plant? How does this affect their legality? This article will help demystify the differences, so you can purchase the products that are right for you.
What’s the difference between marijuana and hemp?
Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a botanical class of Cannabis sativa cultivars grown specifically for industrial or medicinal use. It can be used to make a wide range of products. Along with bamboo, hemp is among the fastest growing plants on Earth. It was also one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 50,000 years ago. It can be refined into a variety of commercial items, including paper, rope, textiles, clothing, biodegradable plastics, paint, insulation, biofuel, food, and animal feed.. As long as this variety contains less than 0.3 percent THC, it’s considered hemp or “industrial hemp” under the 2018 Farm Bill. That means it’s legal to buy, sell and use on the federal level.
Marijuana, on the other hand, is not federally legal. This variety of the cannabis plant contains higher levels of THC (and may even be specifically bred to increase THC content). Marijuana-derived products are legal in some states, but not all—and certainly not on federal land. Shipping or otherwise transporting marijuana over state lines could land businesses and consumers in federal legal trouble.
What’s the difference between CBD and THC?
When you’re choosing cannabis-derived products, you may be presented with a choice between ones with higher levels of THC or CBD. Some include both compounds.
THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that makes you feel “high.” Depending on the strain, it can generate feelings of relaxation, hunger, sleepiness, anxiety and more. You may have slowed reaction times and issues with balance.
CBD, on the other hand, is not psychoactive, meaning it doesn’t affect your sensory perception. That makes it safe to use while driving, operating heavy machinery or otherwise going about your daily life. While the complete benefits of CBD are still being studied, it has shown great promise in treating anxiety, depression, inflammation and chronic pain. As researchers continue to conduct studies and trials, they may find additional benefits.
What’s the difference between CBD and hemp?
CBD can come from hemp—or marijuana. As mentioned earlier, the 2018 Farm Bill made hemp-derived CBD products legal on the federal level. This means that even if your state hasn’t legalized the sale and use of marijuana, you can still take advantage of CBD’s many benefits. However, if the CBD is derived from marijuana, it’s not federally legal, even though it’s chemically identical.
If this doesn’t make sense to you, you’re not alone—proponents of CBD products as well as advocates of federal marijuana legalization have pointed out the flawed reasoning. On the other hand, it’s important to pay attention to how your CBD products were derived, if you live in a state where marijuana hasn’t been legalized.
In short, when you’re looking for cannabis products, you need decide which effects you’d like to experience. If you want psychoactive effects, THC is right for you—but it isn’t legal in all states. If you need help with depression, anxiety and pain, CBD is the better choice. It’s legal in all states as long as it’s hemp-derived.
Manna for Your Mind, Body and Soul offers a variety of premium CBD products. Shop online or reach out to us today with questions about the differences between THC, CBD and hemp.