Hemp-derived CBD oil and marijuana-derived CBD oil are two very different mixtures of compounds. And with the abundance of false information online surrounding CBD products, it can be difficult for consumers to understand the difference.
Luckily for you, we have done the research and understand the difference between the two. We have broken down their differences into four categories below: legality, cannabinoid content, uses, and effects.
But before we explore the many differences between the two oils, it is important for you to understand how hemp and marijuana plants are similar, and how they differ.
Both hemp and marijuana are considered to be members of the plant genus, just as they are both considered cannabis. Cannabis plants have two primary classifications, being sativa and indica.
Hemp and marijuana both come from cannabis sativa, and therefore share specific traits. In fact, marijuana can come from both cannabis sativa and cannabis indica, while hemp only comes in sativa form.
Hemp Vs. Marijuana
Hemp
Hemp is a cannabis plant that is typically harvested for its flowers, seeds, and stalks. It usually grows up to around 2-4 meters (6.5-13 feet) tall, meaning it is primarily grown outdoors.
Hemp is used to make an abundance of different products in several different industries and markets, such as:
- Food
- Cosmetics
- Clothing
- Building Materials
- CBD Oil
The primary compound found in hemp is CBD, a non psychoactive compound, and is legal for production and sale across the country.
Marijuana
Marijuana is a widely popular plant that is harvested primarily for its flowers that, when consumed, give the user a euphoric feeling that is known as a high. Marijuana has several nicknames, including weed, pot, bud, and dope.
The THC content of marijuana is much higher than that of hemp, and although you may believe that the CBD compounds found in the two plants are different, they actually are the exact same.
The U.S. federal government has yet to legalize marijuana, and only certain states have taken the steps to do so. Because of this, you have to be very careful when purchasing marijuana products.
Difference Between the Two Oils
Legality
The passing of the 2018 Farm Bill legalized all hemp-derived products on both a federal and state level. However, on a federal level, marijuana still remains illegal even though several states have chosen to legalize the use of it.
This means that no issue will come of producing, transporting, purchasing, or using hemp-derived CBD products, even when carrying across state lines. As long as the THC content is at 0.3% or lower, then hemp-derived CBD is perfectly legal.
Marijuana-derived CBD is a different story. Because every state across the country is allowed to set their own marijuana laws, the legality of it may vary.
However, due to the aforementioned lack of federal legalization, transporting marijuana-derived CBD oil across state lines can be considered drug trafficking unless you are a medical marijuana patient or have an amount small enough that it can only be considered for personal use.
Cannabinoid Content
Full-spectrum extracts are the most popular form of CBD oils on the market. And luckily for us, they are the easiest to explain.
Full-spectrum CBD oil is oil that possesses all of the naturally-occurring cannabinoids in a cannabis plant, including both CBD and THC. The biggest difference between the two that come from hemp and marijuana is the respective levels of CBD and THC.
Hemp-derived CBD products are regularly tested to ensure that their THC content is 0.3% or less, leaving the majority of the extract to consist of CBD.
On the other hand, marijuana-derived CBD products are typically made from high-CBD strains, but also possess high levels of THC that usually range between 5% to 30%. As a result, marijuana CBD products will produce a high, albeit not a strong one.
CBD actually counteracts the effects of THC, so do not purchase marijuana-derived CBD if you are only looking to catch a buzz.
Uses
There is still a lot of research that needs to be conducted in order to fully understand the capabilities of CBD oil, but we know more today than we ever have before.
It is believed that CBD oil is able to help with many symptoms and conditions, such as:
- Inflammation
- Joint Pain
- Acne
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleeping Troubles
It is the CBD itself that is known for treating these conditions, regardless of where it is derived. Therefore, both hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD technically have the same uses, the biggest difference being the effects.
Effects
Hemp-derived CBD oil always has a low THC content, so using it will not alter your state of mind or give you a euphoric feeling. Instead, the effects are more subtle.
Hemp-derived CBD oil will help provide you with a sense of relaxation that helps clear your mind. This also helps you feel more alert and can provide relief from mental and physical discomfort. The effects are mild, and are meant to work over long-term and consistent use.
Marijuana-derived CBD oil provides faster results, but has a lot of counteracting effects due to the high presence of both CBD and THC. However, marijuana-derived CBD products are very effective when acting as a relaxant or anti-depressant, and can be used to treat pain associated with chronic and difficult-to-treat conditions.
Conclusion
The products we feature on our site are derived from hemp, so you do not have to worry about the legality of your purchase when shopping with us. And now that you know the difference between hemp-derived CBD and marijuana-derived CBD, you know what to look for when you are trying to select a product.
Neither hemp-derived or marijuana-derived CBD oil is better or worse than the other. Which one you want to try is completely dependent on you and the symptoms you are looking to alleviate. Just make sure you do thorough research on the company that you are buying from, and be sure to know how to identify fake CBD products.
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