There is a massive demand for hemp since the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 was released in the USA.
Hemp is used for a wide range of medicinal uses and health benefits, and while it is easy to access in the USA there is still a lot of confusion regarding what is the difference between hemp and marijuana.
To explore the differences between the hemp plant and marijuana we’ve put together some of the basics to provide a clear overview of the differences between the two plants and how they are used.
Is hemp and marijuana the same?
Hemp is well known for its range of uses and one of the major differences between the two is that hemp is free from THC or the hallucinatory effect that pot is well known for.
The hemp plant is used to create food products, textiles, building materials, and a range of other products. Marijuana is used mainly to get high and also for medicine.
Cannabis is the plant that both are common to, however, this is basically where the similarities end.
The CBD found in cannabis is safe to use and is well known for its medicinal purposes. It is used for treating inflammation, chronic pain, and anxiety. THC is the element in marijuana that will make you high, and this is what many looking for a health treatment want to avoid.
How are hemp and marijuana grown?
Another element of difference between hemp and marijuana is the way that it is grown.
Hemp is grown outside in irrigated areas globally. The plant takes 90 to 120 days to grow and needs little to grow. It grows up to 4 meters and is super simple to grow.
Marijuana, on the other hand, likes humid and indoor areas ideally for growing conditions. There is a range of variable that can affect the growth of the marijuana plant including the soil, light and a range of nutrients.
Hemp can pretty much grow anywhere, and marijuana is a little more difficult to grow and will not grow as tall.
The leaves of both the hemp and the marijuana plant are slightly different if you look closely. Hemp leaves are skinnier and the buds and flowers are different from marijuana.
Originally, hemp was basically a weed found in Nebraska and if you have a good look at the appearance of the plant you will notice it is quite different from the marijuana plant.
How much THC is in hemp and marijuana?
The big difference between hemp and marijuana is THC.
This is the primary element that ensures hemp does not make users dopey or psychoactive.
Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, which won’t register on a drug test and means individuals who use hemp seed oil, or CBD extract can drive and operate machinery.
Marijuana, on the other hand, has THC levels of around 30%, which is the point where you will get the psychoactive effect of being high.
Hemp, marijuana, and cannabis get confused a lot and this is why often hemp gets a bad name. The high that marijuana offers is not in hemp, which means it is safe to be used by just about anyone.
What are the benefits of hemp compared to marijuana?
Thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill that has legalized hemp across the USA hemp can be sold across the country.
Now that hemp is legal federally the world of hemp is starting to grow and a wide range of products, supplements, textiles, building materials and products are emerging incorporating hemp protein, hemp seeds, and hemp fibers.
What are the health benefits of hemp compared to marijuana?
There are plenty of health benefits for hemp. One of the key benefits is the vitamins and minerals the hemp plant offers.
On top of this, it offers a massive amount of unsaturated fats in the form of omega 3, 6 and 9.
Hemp is also good for your health due to the additional fiber it offers, which can benefit your digestive system and offers a range of benefits for your overall wellbeing and health.
Hemp in the form of oil, extract or hulled seeds each day can improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
Individuals take hemp on a daily basis to reduce inflammation and chronic conditions and it is known to remove the pain altogether for some conditions.
What can be made from hemp?
Whether you like hemp clothing, hemp sheets, hemp building materials, hemp fibers or hulled hemp seeds in your cooking, there are plenty of options for hemp.
There are commercial and industrial uses for hemp and products such as body cream, hemp oil, biofuels, and even protein powder are used from the hemp plant.
Hemp fibers and hemp oil extract are packed with minerals and vitamins, offering a wide range of health and nutritional benefits.
If you are looking for a natural and ethical resource for your clothing, food or building materials, hemp is the answer.
Hemp seed can make a range of products including snacks, milk, flour, animal feed, and much more. The hemp oil is also used as a salad dressing, supplements, and body products.
Hemp fibers can be used in sheets and bedding, clothing, paper, animal bedding, and even building products.
Is hemp legal to buy?
Yes, the Hemp Farming Act of 2018 allows for individuals to buy hemp and hemp products across the USA.
Not all countries have legalized hemp for commercial and industrial purposes; however, it is fast becoming a popular product that offers powerful health benefits.
Hemp is available in a range of forms including hemp oil, hemp fibers, hemp flowers and hemp buds from health food stores, hemp suppliers and even online hemp stores.
CBD oil and hemp oil is a popular choice for healing and pain relief and is legal in the USA and is often recommended for complementary health programs that are naturally-focused and ethical.
Hemp is fair trade, ethical and natural, for those looking for a green alternative to traditional medicine and commercial applications.
At the end of the day, hemp and marijuana have one key difference – THC.
The THC in marijuana is around 30%, which means if you consume or smoke marijuana you are going to get high. Hemp is legal and the levels of THC are so low, they can barely register. The rate is around 0.3%, which is very small and cannot show up on drug tests.
Legal across the USA thanks to a 2018 Farm Bill, hemp is a popular choice for a range of industrial and commercial applications and is well used across the globe for the hemp plants fibers and powerful oils.
Doing a little research about the differences will show that marijuana and hemp are quite different.
Explore the benefits, difference and features so you make the right choice for your needs and health.