The world is opening its door to cannabis use and cultivation. With hundreds of research, being published every year about the herb’s power to heal, governments are now starting to push for its legalization. Many nations have already started selling cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. Two of the most products that you’ll find on the Internet today are cannabis CBD vs hemp CBD.
You might have heard of these products before, but what’s the difference between the two? If you’re one of the people who wanted to gain more information regarding cannabis CBD vs hemp CBD, then this article should become very useful to you. Many people are attracted to cannabis products but some of them find the term CBD to be quite unfamiliar. Before we proceed to cannabis CBD vs hemp CBD comparison, let’s first understand what CBD means.
What is CBD?
CBD or cannabidiol is a cannabis compound that can be used as an ingredient for creating or manufacturing different kinds of products. CBD can be used to produce health and beauty products and it has been around for decades now. Nowadays, it’s easy to find products that contain CBD ingredients – including skincare and cooking products. Then there’s hemp seed oil.
Hempseed oil can also be used to promote good health and beauty. Just like other CBD items, you can easily find them at your local health stores – even in convenience shops. Some products contain both CBD and hemp seed oil. When put side by side, the combination offers remarkable health and wellness benefits.
Take note that both CBD and hemp do not contain any psychoactive compounds. This means that you won’t experience cannabis euphoria after using or ingesting the product. Although both are made from cannabis Sativa, keep in mind that there are different kinds of cannabis plants out there. Each of these plants contains different levels of compounds. Some cannabis contains significant levels of THC, which is the psychoactive compound of the plant.
Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis
For us to better understand the difference between cannabis CBD and hemp CBD, it’s helpful that we understand different kinds of cannabis plants. There is Sativa, which is a very tall long branching plant that has long thin leaves and expansive root systems. Indica on the other hand is small and compact. While Sativa has longer and thinner leaves, Indica seeds have wider leaves, more robust stalks, and denser buds. Meanwhile, Ruderalis is wild-looking, has fewer branches compared to Indica and Sativa, and has a conical shape.
Each plant within the cannabis genus has phytocannabinoids: CBD and THC. But not all of them contain the same levels. Some plants contain 25% of THC and there also plants that contain 0.3% of THC oil. This kind of amount does not get the user high. There are two types of cannabis: hemp and marijuana. Hemp contains 0.3% THC or less. Meanwhile, marijuana may contain 15% to 25% THC levels.
What is Hemp?
Although marijuana and hemp are of the same species of cannabis, they do have their differences. Hemp is a strain of cannabis plants that contains 0.3% or fewer THC levels. Both medical and industrial hemp is produced from cannabis Sativa – although each of them has unique compositions and purposes.
Hemp has been cultivated and used in Asia for many years already. These plants have become part of the culture and are used as the main ingredient or component in making commercial and industrial products. Hemp is used to creating paper, textiles, clothing, biofuel, insulation, and even rope.
Aside from industrial use, hemp can also be ingested or made into edible products. You can eat its seeds. Some manufacturers turn it into a liquid to created different kinds of products such as shampoo, body lotion, or even soap. Moreover, hemp can also be used for baking purposes.
Cannabis CBD vs Hemp CBD
Compositions
Both hemp and marijuana can produce a compound called CBD but the main difference is the levels of THC. Each of them has its chemical compositions and as mentioned earlier, marijuana can have up to 30% of THC levels but hemp can contain 0.3% or even less.
Cultivation
Just like any other plant, cannabis requires a particular environmental condition for it to grow and develop. Hemp and marijuana also require different conditions. If you’re planning to grow hemp, then it’s recommended that you grow them outdoors. Meanwhile, marijuana is more delicate and you must provide them the right lighting, humidity, temperature, and nutrients.
Unlike marijuana, hemp doesn’t need that much attention from the cultivator since there’s no need for you to follow or comply with specific standards for growth. To put it simply, hemp is easier to grow compared to cannabis plants.
Application
Marijuana possesses many health and therapeutic applications, thus, it’s being prescribed by countless medical professionals and practitioners worldwide. On the other hand, hemp is mainly harvested to produce food and industrial products – although it can also be used as an ingredient for creating medicinal products such as tinctures, CBD oils, and CBD-infused topicals. Hemp can be used to create clothing, paper, plastic, construction materials, flour, seed-based products, and even cooking oil.
Legality
Since both hemp and marijuana contain certain levels of THC, laws, and regulations were put in place by governments. Although hemp contains very low THC levels, it was still considered illegal, and only until 2018 that it has been legalized. However, marijuana still fell under the Controlled Substance Act. Although it’s still illegal in many parts of the world, because of the studies and information being published about its numerous health benefits, this incredible herb is gaining more followers and supporters both from the public and private sectors.
Is Cannabis CBD and Hemp CBD Safe?
It’s always recommended that you ask for advice or recommendations from your doctor before you start using any health or treatment-related products. While it’s true that both CBD and hemp are proven to provide relief and promote good health, side effects are still common and this includes drowsiness, low blood pressure, dry mouth, and lightheadedness. For this reason, you must do your research first and know whether or not it’s safe for you to take these products.
Apart from visiting your doctor or your physician, we also recommend that you always double-check the label of the product. Unfortunately, there are still no exact standards for producing or manufacturing CBD and hemp products, you have to ensure that you do more research to avoid false or incorrect information found on the product’s label.
You must also ensure that you consider how the product interacts with other medicines. Before taking any of these products, it’s wise that you ask yourself first whether or not it affects your regular medicaments. Does it alter the effects of your drug or supplement maintenance? Also, it’s wise that you ask your physician if it’s okay for you to take CBD or hemp products while being pregnant or nursing your newborn baby.
Conclusion
Conducting online research and gathering more information before buying and consuming whatever product is highly recommended. Be sure that you also ask for tips and pieces of advice from your friends or families who have used cannabis before. And now that you know more about cannabis CBD vs hemp CBD, it’s time for you to make a decision. Enjoy its many health benefits and always remember to check the label. Finally, be sure that you double-check the reputation and the background history of the CBD or hemp seller before you buy anything from them