If you pay any attention to the world of marijuana or even the world of politics, you have probably heard about this plant called hemp. So, what is hemp?
Hemp is a close relative in the marijuana plant—both members of the cannabis family. For decades, in other areas of the world, hemp has been one of the most versatile crops in popular circulation, used for paper, textiles, manufacturing, and even medicinal purposes.
All parts of the hemp plant can be used. Hemp is praised both for its wide range of applications, and the ease with which it is grown. As a high yield crop, many farmers see not only as a profitable asset, but a way to reduce deforestation and erosion happening to our environment.
However, due to its relationship with the marijuana plant, hemp is still somewhat controversial.
Hemp and marijuana are closely related both by cultural perception and biology. So, what can be said about the hemp vs weed conversation?
Though the plants share quite a bit of DNA, they differ substantially in their application. All parts of the hemp plant, like the stalks, have very strong fibers and used to make everyday materials for manufacturing and textiles industries. Discover more uses of hemp, further down in this article.
Marijuana is most prominently associated with the psychoactive properties of THC, meaning marijuana will get you stoned and you will feel the medical properties fast. However, because hemp has flowers, leaves and stalks just like the marijuana plant, the industry is finding many separate uses for both the hemp flower and stalk.
Hemp and marijuana are closely related both by cultural perception and biology. So, what can be said about the hemp vs weed conversation?
Though the plants share quite a bit of DNA, they differ substantially in their application. All parts of the hemp plant, like the stalks, have very strong fibers and used to make everyday materials for manufacturing and textiles industries. Discover more uses of hemp, further down in this article.
A new type of smokable herb coming to market is hemp flower. There are a lot of benefits that come with a flower that has no psychoactive effect. Smokable hemp flower has practically no THC and tends to be high in CBD, so it’s great for people who want to enjoy the benefits of CBD through the tradition of smoking without getting high.
Many use hemp flower to feel a relaxing, meditative state while their 420 friends smoke marijuana and get blazed out of their minds.
It is one of the fastest growing CBD markets and it does not require any extraction methods, unlike CBD oil. The biggest eye-opener in this emerging hemp flower market is that it is helping people quit smoking.
There was a survey conducted by the Brightfield Group where they ask 5,000 U.S CBD users a variety of questions in regards to how hemp flower and CBD use affected their tobacco use. They found:
This is bringing a whole new light and value to hemp flower and CBD like never before.
So to conclude, the hemp and marijuana may be cousins, but just like any family tree, each family members has its own purpose and way they contribute to society.
Like the cannabis plant in general, CBD is becoming progressively more mainstream. You can now find it at most local head shops, holistic health stores and specialty shops.
But for as much discussion as this handy chemical has yielded, many people do not know that there are actually two versions of CBD in circulation.
CBD is present both in marijuana and in hemp. In both cases, it can be used for medical application (there is currently a new CBD treatment specifically designed for children with epilepsy).
People also use it to treat inflammation, depression, anxiety, insomnia. What is CBD? According to popular opinion, it might just be the swiss army knife of medicine.
When it comes to the marijuana plant, most of the essential oils are found in the flowering regions of the plant. However being a male plant, hemp does not have a flowering element. Instead, CBD is found in the stalk, and leaves of the hemp plant.
Hemp CBD can be just as effective as marijuana CBD, and it has less than 0.3% THC, which means it is a safe, practical option for day to day use.
So, CBD vs THC, which is which?
Though both are used for medical application, THC is always going to stand out for its recreational purposes and psychoactive properties. Yeah, you can use it to help the effects of cancer.
CBD is all business. Though there may be trace elements of THC in marijuana-derived CBD, the amounts are never enough to cause a psychoactive reaction. Take a look at this infographic for more clarity on the difference between the two.
