Hemp and CBD are two of the most common terms associated with weed. Although sometimes used interchangeably in reference to medical marijuana,
They are entirely different aspects of it.
That is, while CBD (cannabidiol) is the main medicinal compound found in cannabis, hemp is specifically used to denote those plants that contain less than 0.3% THC and higher levels of CBD.
As such, hemp is largely used to extract CBD for all kinds of purposes, including medicinal or therapeutic.
And hence, the confusion.
Which is why in this post we will clarify everything you need to know about the two.
Without further ado, let us get started.
Hemp, or industrial weed, is any plant from the Cannabaceae plant family that contains 0.3% or less THC.
Grown for both industrial and commercial uses, it usually maintains a higher ratio of CBD, which is a completely non-psychoactive or non-intoxicating substance found in weed.
As a result, it is greatly used to make a variety of products such as food, paper, medicine, shoes, fabric, rope, fuel, and so on.
In either case, due to the heavy amounts of CBD, hemp is often compared to traditional Indica strains, despite belonging to the Cannabis sativa plants or cultivars.
So technically, it cannot be regarded as either an Indica or Sativa strain and may possess an entirely different cannabinoid profile than both.
Higher concentrations of CBD also make it a perfect source to derive all kinds of medical-orientated products, including vapes, edibles, capsules, topicals, etc.
In fact, most countries that allow the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes tend to use only hemp-derived CBD and not marijuana. Marijuana refers to those cannabis plants that maintain a higher level of THC than the recommended levels.
In any case, the laws regarding the same may vary from place to place.
For instance, in the United States, only hemp-derived CBD has been legalised as of now on the federal level. However, state-wise, it may vary again.
What is CBD?
CBD, or cannabidiol, is the medicinal constituent of marijuana that provides it with the much-needed health properties.
Albeit existent in all the cannabis plants in some or other proportion, it is typically found in greater quantities in the C. indica strains. And even greater in hemp, as we touched upon above.
Whatever the source, the fact of the matter is that CBD has been shown to be quite beneficial for a number of health issues, including those without any cure, despite all the advances in modern medical science.
A few common ailments it helps improve are anxiety, depression, pain, inflammation, sleep, epilepsy, and even cancer.
Plus, it does not cause any side effects or overdosing, as is the case with THC, the other major ingredient in weed, which is primarily psychoactive and responsible for the ‘high.’
As opposed to THC, better expanded as ‘tetrahydrocannabinol,’ CBD tends to be body-orientated, meaning it mostly affects the body by calming and relaxing it and not the mind.
On the other hand, THC, as the main culprit behind the infamous ‘high’ or stoning effects, is a mind-altering substance that gives you the “head high.”
This is when you feel all the euphoric, creative, and happening effects of consuming weed regardless of how you do it.
The good news is that both hemp and CBD have a negligible ratio of THC, which is perhaps the only similarity both of them share.
Other than that, there might very well be none.
To paint a clear picture, let us use the example of one of the most common derivatives of both hemp and CBD, i.e., the oil, or better yet, “hash oil.”
Hemp Oil vs. CBD Oil
Among all the edible or consumable products made of weed, oil is one of the most prevalent forms.
Used in a variety of products, they can be full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolated depending on the extraction and the purpose they serve.
In that, hemp oil and CBD oil are mostly isolated forms of distillates that can be vaped, swallowed orally, applied directly to the skin for instant relief from inflammation and chronic pain, and also as an ingredient in cannabis-infused edibles and beverages.
Whatever the case, here are the major differences:
While CBD oil is derived from the raw plant material of hemp, such as its leaves, stalks, buds, and flowers, hemp oil uses only the seeds of C. sativa plants for its formulation.
Needless to say, CBD oil maintains a significant concentration of CBD, whereas hemp oil, obtained from the seeds, does not contain any noticeable amount of either CBD or THC.
As such, while CBD is largely used for therapeutic purposes, as mentioned above, hemp seed oil offers no recreational or psychoactive properties.
Nonetheless, being obtained from chemically-rich cannabis seeds, hemp oil does provide a lot of nutritional value due to the presence of essential nutrients and vitamins. These include, but are not limited to, omega-6, omega-3 fatty acids, gamma-linolenic acid, vitamin D, B vitamins, and plenty of other antioxidants.
As a result, hemp oil is often used in food supplements, body-friendly clothing, apparel, and fibres.
Key Differences Between Hemp and CBD
Hemp |
CBD (Cannabidiol) |
|---|---|
| Refers to any cannabis plant that contains less than 0.3% THC, mainly the Sativa plant. | Is the main medicinal compound found in cannabis, including both hemp and marijuana. |
| Used for industrial uses and nutritional value. | Used for potential medicinal effects. |
| Obtained from the seeds of a cannabis plant. | Sourced from the raw plant material of both hemp and marijuana. |
| Contains high amounts of CBD and minimal THC. | Possess CBD but no THC at all. |
| Widely legal in many countries. | Only hemp-derived CBD is legal, with marijuana-derived CBD subject to stringent laws and regulations. |
| Available as seeds, fibres, and oils. | Available as oils, tinctures, creams, capsules, and edibles. |
Common Misconceptions and Myths about Hemp and CBD Oil
As versatile as they are, hemp and CBD are associated with several myths and misconceptions due to their association with weed.
Some of the most common are:
Myth: Hemp and CBD are the same.
Fact: While both are obtained from cannabis, hemp and CBD are entirely different, as the former refers to the plant, whereas the latter refers to one of the cannabinoids found in it.
Myth: CBD oil and hemp oil are the same.
Fact: CBD oil is extracted from the raw plant material such as the leaves, stalks, and flowers, whereas hemp oil is only extracted from the seeds of a C. sativa plant.
Myth: Hemp oil and CBD oil provide the same benefits.
Fact: Hemp oil is mainly used for industrial purposes like manufacturing textiles, paper, biofuel, cosmetics, and food supplements. CBD oil, on the other hand, is mainly employed for medicinal purposes due to its high CBD and lack of THC.
Myth: Hemp oil contains CBD or THC.
Fact: Being derived from the seeds of a hemp plant, hemp oil usually has no CBD or THC.
Likewise, there are many other minor myths that one can relate to, especially if you are a beginner when it comes to using either of the two.
How to Choose Between Hemp Oil and CBD Oil
Like any other cannabis extract, choosing between the two depends mainly on your goals and orientation.
So those looking to gain the medicinal effects of marijuana should always opt for all things CBD, including CBD oil.
Whereas, those intending to use weed for industrial purposes and basic nutritional value might want to go with hemp oil being relatively low in either THC or CBD.
The Connection Beteen Hemp, CBD, and THC
As evident enough, the major connection between hemp, CBD, and THC is the fact that they all have something to do with weed, marijuana, or cannabis.
In that, hemp refers to any cannabis plant with less than 0.3% THC, while the latter two are two of the most dominant cannabinoids found in weed, including hemp.
As a major source of CBD due to its significantly high ratios and low levels of THC, hemp is predominantly used for CBD extraction for all kinds of health reasons.
At the same time, both hemp and CBD contain a lack of THC for a lack of high or intoxication.
Conclusion
Although hemp and CBD are often mistaken for one another, both are quite different by definition as well as the purpose they serve.
While hemp is a variety of the cannabis sativa plant, CBD is one of the major cannabinoids found in weed in varied proportions from plant to plant, including hemp.
As such, it can be derived from any cannabis plant, regardless of the species.
However, due to the heavy concentrations of CBD in hemp, it is one of the major and more legalised sources of CBD or medicinal marijuana.
On the other hand, hemp, being a rich source of fibre, essential nutrients, and vitamins, is mainly used in industrial and commercial spaces, including food, medicine, textiles, fuel, and so on.
In short, hemp is a plant that produces CBD, while the latter refers to the medicinal component of weed found in all the varieties of weed.
FAQs
Due to the lower amounts of CBD in hemp oil, it may not be the right alternative to CBD oil, especially when used for medicinal purposes. Nevertheless, being a great source of essential nutrients and vitamins such as omega-6, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin C, B vitamins, and antioxidants, hemp oil can be used in cooking and basic food supplements.
Hemp oil is derived from the seeds of a C. sativa plant. As such, it usually contains little to no CBD and zero THC.
Yes, CBD oil is obtained from the raw plant material of hemp due to the heavy concentrations of CBD in it. At the same time, it can also be extracted from other sources of CBD, including marijuana.
Since there is no THC in either of the two, hemp oil and CBD oil are generally considered quite safe. Being available in non-smokeable forms such as vapes, edibles, capsules, and oils makes it even more health-friendly.
By obtaining your CBD products or any weed-related products for that matter from an authorised or legit weed seller or dispensary, you can make sure that your favourite cannabis products are as authentic as they come.
The laws and regulations concerning the cultivation and utilisation of hemp and CBD vary from country to country. In the United States, though, any CBD product derived from hemp or any cannabis plant with up to 0.3% THC is legal on the federal level, while state laws may still vary.
Due to the lack of THC in hemp-derived products, including CBD oil, there are zero chances of intoxication. To make sure you get the right THC-less products, prefer using CBD isolates, as they only contain CBD in its purest form.
CBD oil and hemp oil can be used for a variety of purposes, including cooking, vaping, oral consumption, localised pain and inflammation through topicals, and so on.
Since CBD oil contains relatively higher amounts of CBD than hemp oil, it is usually a bit more expensive. Plus, it offers tonnes of medicinal benefits compared to hemp oil, which, due to the lack of CBD and THC, can only be used for its nutritional value.
Although considered safe, CBD or hemp oil may interact with certain medications, including painkillers, chemotherapy-related drugs, etc. Which is
Why, when using either of the two, it is always better to consult with your doctor or a professional health care provider.
Hemp and CBD serve entirely different purposes altogether. While hemp is a specific variety of cannabis plants, which is defined by less than
0.3% THC, CBD, is the main medicinal compound of weed that exists throughout the Cannabaceae plant family, including hemp. As such, there is no comparison to be made between the two. As far as medicinal properties are concerned, CBD certainly trumps all other cannabinoids, including THC.
Due to the higher concentrations of CBD, CBD oil is considered a better anxiolytic than hemp oil.
