Many have long misunderstood the significant differences between marijuana and hemp. Today, these differences are beginning to become more well known especially as the federal government helps define the two types of cannabis separately. Despite this progress, confusion between hemp and marijuana is still widespread.
Q: Are Hemp and Marijuana Different?
A: Yes!
First, it is important to understand that the two plants share a commonality in that they are both a species of plant called Cannabis Sativa L. This species of plant is well known for its 7 leaf pattern that is heavily associated with recreational marijuana use. Both hemp and marijuana feature this leaf pattern:
Comparing Hemp vs Marijuana
Looking beyond the species, the common traits between the two varieties begin to dwindle. Marijuana and hemp are different in their appearance, growing methods, chemical makeup, and potential uses. Each of these aspects contributes to the significant overall differences between the two plant varieties:
Chemical Makeup
Laws established in the USA and Canada have created a specific classification for hemp based on its chemical makeup. Today, the legal term industrial hemp is used to describe hemp classified as having less than 0.3% Tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta-9 THC) on a dry weight basis. Because of the low THC content, hemp is non-psychoactive if smoked or consumed in an extracted form. These THC levels have been achieved in specific strains thanks to years of breeding low-THC plant varieties. Additionally, high-CBD hemp strains burst into the mainstream in 2013 thanks to the medicinal use of the extracted cannabinoids and other plant material.
Marijuana is a variety of cannabis well known for its high concentration of Delta-9 THC, the psychoactive high-producing compound. There are many strains of marijuana available featuring different cannabinoid and terpenoid makeups. Marijuana has been extensively bred to increase the amounts of THC present in order to maximize the psychoactive qualities of the plant. Some of the highest THC strains average a 20-25% THC content on a dry weight basis
Appearance
Hemp is a fibrous plant thanks to the large stalk which can result in plants up to 20 feet tall. The 7-leaf pattern often shows skinnier leaves concentrated at the top of the stalks.
Marijuana is a shorter, stalkier plant than hemp. These plants feature broader leaves with an abundance of budding flowers growing around the stalks. These flowers are often covered in crystal-dusted hairs.
Growing Conditions
Hemp can be grown in a wide variety of climates with minimal care. Often the plant is grown in large greenhouses or in outdoor farming operations.
Marijuana is grown in precisely controlled indoor environments. Tight control of the growing environment means that grow operations are smaller in scale than hemp operations.
Use & Potential Applications
Hemp has long been known for its 25,000+ potential product uses thanks to its fibrous makeup and versatile seeds. More recently high-CBD strains have been used as a source to create CBD oil extracts used in a wide range of products known for their non-psychoactive, therapeutic benefits.
Marijuana is commonly trimmed of its leaves and stalks down to the flowering buds which are then smoked or consumed as a recreational, medical, or spiritual psychoactive drug.
Legal Status of Hemp & Marijuana
Hemp, marijuana, and cannabis have long been confused by lawmakers and the public. In 1970 the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) classified all forms of Cannabis Sativa L as Marijuana and thus illegal. This generalized grouping caused all varieties of hemp and marijuana to become a schedule 1 controlled substances - regardless of their use or psychoactivity.
Thanks to the progress resulting from the 2014 and ultimately the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp has finally been lifted from the purview of the CSA. The result of this bill was that hemp is finally defined separately from marijuana. If cannabis contains 0.3% THC or less by dry weight, it is now considered hemp, not marijuana. Hemp is now federally recognized as a legal substance in the eyes of the federal government, lifting hemp out of schedule 1 status once and for all.
Despite this clear classification state, tribal, and regulatory bodies are still working on local regulation across the hemp industry. We work hard to maintain compliance in an ever-changing landscape.
