Hemp CBD vs. Cannabis CBD: Why You Should Know The Distinction

One of the most common questions about CBD is the distinction between hemp CBD and Cannabis CBD.

First off, CBD is extracted from the varieties of the cannabis family: cannabis Sativa, cannabis Indica, and cannabis Ruderalis. 

When you hear about a cannabis plant, you think of many questions, especially about the legitimacy of the chemical compound CBD.

But you have to note that a cannabis plant has around 540 substances.

And although hemp and cannabis are similar, it’s the percentage of CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) that makes the difference.

Scientifically, the difference between the two is minimal. However, this distinction plays a massive part if we’re talking about its legality.

Content Overview:

• What is Hemp?
  • Uses of Hemp
• What is Cannabis?
  • Uses of Cannabis
• Cannabis CBD vs. Hemp CBD
• Side Effects of Cannabis CBD and Hemp CBD
• Which One Should You Take?
• Conclusion

What is Hemp?

Hemp is a kind of Cannabis Sativa species. The hemp plants contain very little THC concentration. THC is the substance that’s infamous for making people high.

For most states in the US, hemp-derived CBD products with less than 0.3% THC are legal.

Hemp has been in global use for almost 10,000 years. You must have seen the usage of hemp in the food, clothing, and pharmaceutical industries.

Since the US Department of Agriculture approved hemp, you can use hemp for various purposes, including the extraction of CBD.

It is pretty eco-friendly to produce hemp as it follows the general plantation process, just like all other cannabis species. Hemp also grows faster than cotton and other trees.

There are several uses of hemp as well.

Uses of Hemp

The hemp plant is versatile when it comes to its uses.

First, there is a high quantity of cellulose compounds in hemp to save nature from plastic. You can use that compound to make biodegradable plastic.
There is fiber in the stalk of the hemp plant. You can extract that fiber and send it to the textile industry. 

You can get the following products from the fiber of the hemp:

• Ropes
• Clothes
• Shoes
• Carpets
• Bags

The core of the hemp’s stalk produces good quality printing paper, insulation, and cardboard.

You can use hemp leaves for salad dressing and smoothies.

Also, you can eat raw hemp leaves. The leaves of hemp are good antioxidants. Even animals can consume hemp leaves.

The hemp seeds are also rich in protein. 

You can also make cheese, milk, and oil substitutes from hemp seeds. And you can consume them with or without the shell.

When you pressurize the hemp seeds, you get the hemp oil. Hemp oil is highly beneficial in cooking and cosmetics.

From an industrial point of view, hemp oil is still used in fuel and paint manufacturing.

Finally, you can find lots of CBD in the hemp flower. The uses of hemp CBD contribute to the making of beverages, lotions, gummies, and medicines.

What is Cannabis?

If you think that cannabis and marijuana are the same things, you are confused. There’s a difference between both species.

However, due to the interchangeable usage of cannabis and marijuana, people often become victims of misguidance.

Cannabis is the general category of the Cannabaceae family of plants.

In comparison, marijuana is a specific cannabis Sativa or Indica species that contain high amounts of THC.

Due to the substantial percentage of THC in marijuana, you can easily get high consuming it in any form.

As a result, marijuana is still illegal in many parts of the world.

The cannabis plant has been under cultivation by humans for 8,000 years. On the whole cannabis flower, you can find trichomes and cannabinoids.

A cannabis plant looks similar to a hemp plant, but the chemistry and physiology of both are different.

Uses of Cannabis

Cannabis is widely used in the medical industry. You can use cannabis to get relief from chronic pain.

However, you should consult your general physician first before taking cannabis as a medicine.

Since cannabis has a higher amount of THC than hemp, it might directly affect your nervous system.

Cannabis as Medicine

Psychiatrists recommend taking cannabis as a medicine if you are suffering from depression.

In the cannabis flower, there are endocannabinoid compounds that stabilize the mood, giving you relief from depression. 

Researchers are also working on ways to utilize cannabis to treat epilepsy.

Cannabis is also an option if you want to boost cognitive performance. But again, never consume cannabis or its derived products without any medical guidance.

The high THC can be harmful to your body, especially when you have other health concerns.

Glaucoma patients usually suffer from high pressure on their eyeballs. By using cannabis, glaucoma patients can find temporary relief.

Cannabis as Food

You must be wondering how one can use cannabis as food. People use cannabis in beverages, confectionaries, and desserts. 

Cannabis CBD vs. Hemp CBD

Cannabis Sativa is the source for both cannabis CBD and hemp CBD extraction.

Although this is the case, the main difference is the percentage of the chemical compounds.

There are nearly 540 chemical substances present in these plants. But the percentage of CBD and THC is the decisive factor in their distinction.

Cannabis has more THC than hemp. On the other hand, hemp has more CBD than cannabis.

Following the standard, hemp is a legitimate resource for multiple industries as long as it contains less than 0.3% THC.

In contrast to this, medical cannabis is only used for medical purposes. 

While the difference between cannabis CBD and hemp CBD is clear, you must also understand that both species’ side effects are also there.

Even when you take synthetic CBD, you get prone to the CBD side effects.

Side Effects of Cannabis CBD and Hemp CBD

Since the source of the CBD is the same, you might face some inevitable side effects after using cannabis CBD or hemp CBD.

First of all, you might feel on edge. This sensation refers to getting tensed without any reason. You will feel mental stress of a minor level.

If the intake is more than prescribed, you might feel severe mental and muscular stress.

Your digestive system might get disturbed. As CBD also affects the endocrine system, your whole body is susceptible to getting affected, especially the digestive and nervous systems.

While the digestive system quickly gets back on track, you may feel tired and sleepy.

Also, if you take too much CBD in a single dose, your immune system might be compromised.

That means that you become vulnerable to minor diseases. 

When your immune system is compromised, several bacterial infections start attacking you. 

So it’s better to seek medical help if you frequently fall ill and experience high temperature on CBD consumption. 

One of the most common side effects is decreased appetite and fatigue. That’s why careful monitoring of appetite after taking CBD is necessary.

Which One Should You Take?

You should go for hemp CBD. As you have seen the pros and cons of hemp CBD and cannabis CBD, the biggest difference-maker is the percentage of THC in both CBD products.

THC is the component in hemp and cannabis that has a euphoric effect.

While the anesthetic effect of THC is profoundly used in the medical sector, its harmful effects are notorious too.

From the law enforcement point of view, hemp is legal because of its lower THC quantity.

On the other hand, you can’t use cannabis in many parts of the world.

A lower quantity of THC is not harmful to the body. There is no dangerous effect of hemp CBD on your mental or physical health.

Besides, you can use hemp for multiple purposes, including food and clothing.

Cannabis has a higher quantity of THC, which gives you intoxicating effects.

Although people are using cannabis for medical purposes, many governments have banned its consumption for recreational use.

Conclusion

Cannabidiol or CBD is one of 113 discovered cannabinoids in cannabis plants.

If you completely extract a cannabis plant, you will get 40% CBD from that extraction. Therefore, CBD covers a significant portion of the cannabis Sativa species.

If you observe hemp CBD and cannabis CBD from a botanical perspective, you will find both of them almost similar.

But the chemical and physiological differences make a significant distinction between both chemicals.

The medical industry uses Cannabis CBD for its euphoric and soothing effect. But you can’t consume raw cannabis CBD because of its side effects.

That’s why the law has permitted hemp CBD due to its low THC quantity and minor side effects.

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