With the passing of the 2018 Farm Bill, the United States has experienced a significant shift in its approach towards cannabis. The mainstream attitudes have changed, leading to more and more people turning to the cannabis plant for various purposes, including materials, nutrition, recreation, and medicine.
In the US, cannabis can either be classified as “marijuana” or “hemp,” ultimately determining its legality. In most parts of the country, only cannabis plants classified as “hemp” are legal, while those labeled as “marijuana” are strictly controlled or even prohibited.
So, what exactly distinguishes hemp from marijuana? It all comes down to how and why the definitions of these words have evolved over time. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the differences between hemp and marijuana, and also explore how they relate to the usage of CBD Oil and medical cannabis. But before we do that, let’s build a better understanding of the cannabis plant in all its diverse forms.
Cannabis encompasses several varieties of plants, each with different physical characteristics, uses, and chemical profiles, reflecting the diverse names by which they have been known. The most commonly used terms for cannabis in the US are “marijuana” and “hemp.”
Historically, cannabis plants were grown for their fibrous stalks, which were processed to produce cloth, rope, and paper. These fiber-producing cannabis plants, known as “hemp,” are legal in most parts of the country and were among the first plants cultivated by humans.
Conversely, other cannabis varieties were cultivated for their psychoactive properties, leading to more potent flowers for medicinal or therapeutic purposes, known as “marijuana” in the US.
While hemp and marijuana have evolved to have distinct physical characteristics, they still share some common traits. Let’s dive into the anatomy of the cannabis plant to understand the differences and similarities between hemp and marijuana, along with their primary uses.
Roots: Traditionally used in traditional medicine for their anti-inflammatory compounds, cannabis roots have been infused into teas and topicals. Additionally, growing cannabis plants play a role in phytoremediation, drawing pollutants from the soil to remediate contaminated sites.
Stalks: Bast fibers found in the stalk are used in apparel, bags, rope, canvas, and carpets, while the woody hurd is used in building materials. The stalk is not a significant source of cannabinoids but can contain trace amounts.
Leaves: Much less rich in cannabinoids than the flowers, leaves may still be used for cannabinoid extraction. Fan leaves capture sunlight for photosynthesis and are not a major source of cannabinoids. Sugar leaves, on the other hand, are small resinous leaves with high cannabinoid content, particularly in their trichomes, which are used for extracts and infusions.
Flower: Containing the most cannabinoid content, the flower’s resinous trichomes are responsible for cannabinoid production, and female cannabis plants have the highest cannabinoid content. These flowers may be smoked, vaped, or used for extracts like CBD oil.
Seeds: Hemp seeds are rich in nutrients, popular in culinary uses, and increasingly used in beauty and skincare products.
The cultivation and usage of the various parts of the cannabis plant reflect the complex legal and cultural shifts surrounding cannabis in the US. As more people turn to cannabis for various purposes, understanding the distinctions between hemp and marijuana is crucial, particularly when it comes to using CBD oil and medical cannabis.