Know Your CBD Sources: Hemp vs Marijuana- What Gives?

Summary

• The terms Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hemp often get jumbled together. Cannabis is the term used to refer to a group of flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family. Both Hemp and Marijuana belong to the same species, but Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, and Marijuana has a higher THC level.

• CBD can be extracted from either Hemp or Marijuana. However, CBD products made from Hemp plants tend to have much higher CBD content, and CBD extracted from Cannabis tends to have much higher psychoactive components like THC. 

• Different companies will use different methods to extract CBD from Cannabis. These range from using solvents like butane and hexane that are petroleum-based or using more natural methods like CO2 or ethanol. There are three kinds of CBD available on the market: full spectrum, broad spectrum, and isolate. 

• There is much more going on for Cannabis plants besides CBD and THC. If you are a bit unsure about cannabinoids, you may want to check out our Cannadips Terpenes product line, which is cannabinoid free.

Introduction

Most guys know that CBD (cannabidiol) comes from a plant, but not everyone knows which one. Commonly known as “Diet Weed,” most people think CBD comes from a CBD plant. The compound is actually extracted from Cannabis plants. The real tricky part of this is understanding Cannabis covers Hemp and Marijuana, so knowing which plant the extract comes from will help you know if it might get you high or if it is even legal in your state.

 

Why is there so much craze for these plants and the amazing compounds found within them?  Why has Humboldt County, CA devoted the last 70 years to growing these flowers? The answer lies in that Cannabis plants make a thick substance jam-packed with naturally occurring compounds called cannabinoids. There are over 100 known cannabinoids, and two of the most potent are CBD and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). The two main cannabinoids, CBD and THC, can come from the same plant, but they have unique chemical structures and affect your body differently.

 

Keep reading to learn more about CBD and the difference between Cannabis, Hemp, and Marijuana.

The Difference Between Cannabis, Marijuana and Hemp

Alt text: A sketch of different parts of the Cannabis plant

 

When talking about Cannabis, Marijuana, and Hemp, it is common for them to get all jumbled up together as if they are the same thing. However, you don't have to be a third generation Humboldt County grower to grasp the basics. Here is a breakdown of the three terms: 

Cannabis

Cannabis is a flowering plant in the Cannabaceae family. You may also have heard of it being called Weed, Pot, Marijuana or some other inventive slang name your friend made up.  For a couple of kids from Santa Cruz, we remember our mom’s yelling at us for smoking “Dope.” The Cannabis species are categorized into three types: Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

 

Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica are the best-known species, as Cannabis ruderalis is rarely cultivated in the US. Each of these species has different qualities and characteristics. Sativa is best known for being an energetic daytime strain that gets the wheels turning mentally, while Indica is best known for hitting you with some serious couch lock and providing more of a body high.

 

But let’s get into the crux of the issue- Weed vs. Hemp- what gives? The main difference between Hemp and Marijuana is the THC content. The US Government set a limit to define Hemp versus Marijuana at 0.3% THC content. Hemp has less than 0.3% THC, whereas Marijuana has over .3% THC and generally is in the 20% or more range. Traditionally, people have used Cannabis plants by smoking the buds or extracting the THC and turning it into an oil or hash, which is then smoked or vaped. In modern times, the Cannabis industry has upped the science and has created all types of new extractions like live resin or live rosin as well as new consumer products like beverages, gummies, topicals, and pouches.

Marijuana

Marijuana is a slang word for the Cannabis plant, but it refers to recreational Cannabis (those high in THC). Some believe the term came from the Mexican Spanish word "Marihuana" but finally landed as Marijuana after many other languages adapted it. It is believed that the terms became popularized in America by opponents who wanted to stigmatize Cannabis use. This is Cannabis with over .3% THC and is what we have been growing in Humboldt County since the 1950’s. Nothing smells sweeter than a field of Marijuana in October.

Hemp

As mentioned above, Hemp is a Cannabis plant with low THC content – there is nowhere near enough THC in Hemp to get you "high." However, it does have incredible levels of CBD, which make it an excellent plant for extracting this valuable compound. Marijuana plants also contain CBD, but there is a risk of products also having too much THC. Hemp is also high in other valued cannabinoids like CBG and CBN.

Hemp CBD vs Marijuana CBD

Alt text: Hemp vs Marijuana infographic containing the key differences between the two

The body doesn't know where the cannabinoid is sourced from, so deciding whether to buy CBD made from Hemp or Marijuana will depend on two things: 1) if you want to get high and 2) the laws in your municipality, state or country. But when it comes to CBD, there are other factors to think about. 

 

Companies that make CBD will use different methods to extract the compound from the plant. There are three types of CBD on the market:

 

• Full spectrum – This type of CBD includes all parts of the plant, including up to 0.3% THC and is extracted from the plant without any refinement.

• Broad spectrum – CBD made as broad spectrum will contain many of the plant’s compounds but will only contain trace amounts of THC as a majority of it is removed.

 

• Isolate – Products made with CBD isolate, like Cannadips, contain only CBD and no other cannabinoids or THC. This means there is little risk of accidentally consuming a psychoactive compound and also means that you get the most pure extract on the market.

 

If you feel more comfortable using a CBD product with no THC content, search for CBD isolate and Hemp-derived CBD. Hemp CBD can offer the potential benefits of the Cannabis plant without the high. Make sure the CBD is made from top-quality American Grown Hemp, as the standards for testing in the US are the highest globally.

Looking Beyond CBD

Alt text: Cannabis buds and leaves with hops, peppers, lemon slices and fir needles on grey background

 

For the guys new to Cannabis - there is more to this plant than CBD and THC. Welcome to the world of cannabinoids and terpenes!

 

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis plant. Although over 480 different compounds exist in the plant, only a few (around 100, including CBD and THC) have been labeled cannabinoids. These unique compounds interact with the endocannabinoid system, and interestingly enough every organ in your body has cannabinoid receptors.

 

Terpenes, the chemical compound responsible for aromas, flavors and colors, also play a role in the effectiveness of Cannabis products.  They do this by interacting with your cannabinoid receptors to regulate the effects of cannabinoids on your body. Some of the most popular terpenes which are blended with CBD or used alone in the Cannadips Terpenes line include the following:

 

• Limonene – This terpene is found in the peels of lemons, oranges and other citrus fruits. Unsurprisingly, it smells like you'd expect – citrusy.

• Myrcene – One of the most common terpenes found in Cannabis is myrcene. It's also present in some other plants like hops, lemongrass, and thyme. The scent is rich, herbal, and earthy.

 

• Pinene – You guessed it, this terpene smells of earthy pine trees. Pinene naturally occurs in Cannabis but can also be found in pine needles, basil, and rosemary. The plant initially develops pinene to help protect it against predators.

 

• Caryophyllene – On the spicier side of the spectrum, caryophyllene is the only known terpene that acts as a cannabinoid. It is most commonly found in cloves, cinnamon, black pepper, hops, oregano, and basil. You can instantly recognize the smell of caryophyllene when you crack black pepper, and it has the ability to carry cannabinoids and other compounds to different receptors.

 

You only have to browse the Cannadips tins page to see all the different CBD dip flavors available, each offering a unique flavor experience. If you're keen to try terpenes but not sure about CBD, the Cannadips Terpenes line of products is a great alternative. They are nicotine, CBD and THC free. Try our Tangy Citrus Flavor or any of our other popular terpene-infused dips.

Final Breakdown

Many people also use the terms Marijuana and Cannabis interchangeably, which we know can be confusing. Cannabis is the overarching term for Hemp and Marijuana. An easy way to distinguish between Hemp and Marijuana is to refer to the Cannabis plants high in THC as Marijuana and those with 0.3% or less THC content as Hemp.

 

Whether you choose to buy CBD isolate or pepper in some level of THC with a full or broad spectrum CBD product, remember that not all CBD is created equal. We didn’t even go into the work we have done to deliver a water-dispersible CBD isolate in our pouches to provide the maximum experience, as we didn’t want to distract from the overall goal. But picking the best product isn’t easy, so be sure to know what you are buying and check that it has been lab tested for quality and safety.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between Hemp and CBD?

Hemp is a type of Cannabis plant which includes less than 0.3% THC. CBD is the main cannabinoid in Hemp plants. When differentiating between Hemp oil and CBD oil, the first is extracted from the Hemp plant's seed, whereas CBD is extracted from the plant itself.

Will Hemp come up on a drug test?

If you are worried about failing a drug test for work, only use products like Cannadips, which are made from CBD isolate extracted from top quality American Grown Hemp and that have each been single batch lab-tested.

How do Terpenes make you feel?

Unlike the THC cannabinoid, terpenes will not make you feel high in the traditional sense. There are around 400 known terpenes in Cannabis, but only a handful have been noted for their specific effects.

Which is better, CBD isolate or full spectrum? 

Whether CBD isolate or full spectrum is better depends on why the person uses the product. However, suppose you are looking for a zero THC Cannabis product that tastes amazing and is also 100% tobacco and nicotine free – we'd say go with the CBD isolate used in Cannadips any day. Full spectrum CBD does have its place on the market, but it can include  some THC.