For those that haven’t physically held one or the other, you probably wouldn’t believe that hemp and marijuana are so much alike. From the smell to the taste to the sticky resin that covers buds, there isn’t much that separates the two. It’s time to clear the air and put assumptions aside as we share the actual differences between hemp and marijuana.
They’re Both Cannabis
When people refer to cannabis, the recipients often think of marijuana. However, both hemp and marijuana are both cannabis plants. They feel identical, with a sticky resin that covers the buds. They both taste the same, giving that unique taste you receive from a cannabis plant. When smoked, they even taste the same, aside from the terpenes that further add to the taste. There is so much that is the same between them, yet there is one very noticeable difference.
What Is Hemp?
Hemp is merely a name for cannabis that is used to indicate that cannabis contains 0.3 percent of Delta 9 THC content by dry weight or less. Hemp is rich in CBD. Hemp does not produce any psychoactive effects and will not get you high.
What Is Marijuana?
Marijuana is a name for cannabis that is used to indicate that cannabis contains more than 0.3 percent of Delta 9 THC content by dry weight. Marijuana is rich in Delta 9 THC. Marijuana produces psychoactive effects and will get you high.
What Are The Differences?
Earlier we shared that although there is a lot that is the same between the two, there is one very noticeable difference -- we’ll get to that soon. A common misconception is that both hemp and marijuana are two different species. The truth is, they’re not distinct species, as they are both cannabis. The big difference between the two, aside from their names, is that hemp is non-psychoactive and rich in CBD, and marijuana is psychoactive and rich in THC.
What is making this confusing for some is that since the new Delta 8 cannabinoid has gained popularity, it is now being sprayed onto hemp, providing the alleviating power of CBD and the psychoactive effects of Delta 8 THC. It’s almost like bringing the two worlds (Delta 8 and CBD) together.
The Conclusion
Although they are nearly one and the same, knowing the difference between the two is very important. Cannabis is an incredible plant. The medicinal benefits and its fascinating effects are definitely luring those interested in hemp closer, and they certainly have questions galore. For this reason, we felt an urgency to share this information with our readers to first cover the basics. What you’ve learned from this information is that hemp and marijuana are practically the same, except for one thing that differentiates the two. From now on, you will know that what defines the two is the amount of Delta 9 THC they have.
