Starting out learning about the world of CBD can be very confusing, we understand. Between CBD vs hemp it is difficult to figure out exactly what the difference is, if there is one. Let’s take a closer look at just what is going on with CBD vs hemp.
What is Hemp?
Before we get into CBD vs hemp, let’s start with what exactly hemp is, first. There is a common misunderstanding that hemp and marijuana are two different plants entirely. However, this information is false. Hemp and marijuana are just two different names for the Cannabis plant.
The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana
Even though I just told you that hemp and marijuana are two different names for the same Cannabis plant, there is a bit of a difference. However, this difference has little to do with the scientific classification of the plants and everything to do with how the law classifies these plants. This classification by law has to do with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
Marijuana is still illegal under federal law. However, we know that there are many states in which both medical and recreational marijuana use is now legal. There are also a number of states in which marijuana is not legal whatsoever, but the growing of hemp and use of CBD products is now legal. This is due to the legal differentiation between hemp and marijuana: hemp is classified as having below 0.3% THC content.
It’s not really CBD vs Hemp
So, hemp and marijuana are different based on their legal status and definitions. But what about CBD? Where does it fit into this mix? Well, CBD can actually come from either hemp or marijuana plants. So, it’s not really CBD vs hemp at all; CBD can be made from hemp.
Legally, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3% THC. While the levels of THC in hemp plants are very low, the levels of CBD in hemp are generally quite high. Marijuana has the opposite makeup, being mostly THC and having a much smaller CBD content. Because of hemp’s superior CBD makeup, a lot of CBD products on the market are hemp derived. But, CBD products can be made from marijuana plants; there is just much less CBD to be extracted from these plants. And remember, even CBD products from marijuana plants must still contain less than 0.3% THC.
Hemp CBD vs Marijuana CBD
Since there are two different types of CBD, being derived from hemp or marijuana, is there a difference in their effectiveness? The short answer: no.
While there are different strains of marijuana and hemp plants, the CBD compound available in them is the same, regardless of the levels it is present in. Even though marijuana contains much less THC than the hemp plant, the CBD derived from marijuana plants will have the same effect as any other CBD derived from a hemp plant.
The Legality of it
While hemp derived CBD products and marijuana derived CBD products have the same effectiveness, they do not share the same legal status. Due to the 2018 Farm Bill, CBD products made from hemp plants containing less than 0.3% THC are legal across most of the United States, excluding three states. However, CBD products made from plants containing higher than 0.3% THC (marijuana plants) are not legal under this statute, but may be legal from state to state depending on their marijuana laws.
It is important to note that even though a marijuana derived CBD product may have a different legal status than a hemp derived CBD product, it should still contain less than 0.3% THC to be labeled as a CBD product.
Conclusion
So, the question is less about CBD vs hemp, and more about where CBD comes from and what the laws about it are. CBD can be derived from either marijuana or hemp plants, as long as the product contains less than 0.3% THC. CBD products derived from hemp are most common, as hemp plants contain much higher concentrations of CBD. Further, hemp has a much smoother legal status than marijuana, as CBD products derived from marijuana are illegal across much of the United States.
As always, if you have any comments or questions for us, don’t hesitate to contact us. To learn more about CBD (and Kratom!) check out our blog. And when you’re ready to purchase some top quality CBD flower, visit our shop!
