There seems to still be a lot of confusion about the difference between hemp and marijuana. In summary, hemp is a type of cannabis plant that contains little to no THC, the psychoactive compound that gets users high. Marijuana, conversely, is a type of cannabis plant that has high levels of THC.

The main difference between hemp and marijuana is their THC content. THC is one of the cannabinoids that gets you high.

While marijuana and hemp plants come from the same species (Cannabis Sativa), they are different varieties. Hemp is a non-psychoactive species of Cannabis Sativa, while marijuana is a psychoactive variety of cannabis Sativa.

What Is Marijuana?

Marijuana is a psychoactive plant that comes from the Cannabis sativa species. It can be smoked, eaten, or vaporized and comes in different forms, such as oils, edibles, and concentrates. Short-term effects of marijuana include impaired memory and learning, distorted perception, difficulty thinking and problem-solving, and increased anxiety. Long-term effects of marijuana include addiction, impaired brain development, and increased risk of lung cancer. Marijuana is currently illegal in most countries, but some jurisdictions have decriminalized or legalized it for medical or recreational use.

History of Marijuana

Marijuana has been used for centuries, both medicinally and recreationally. The plant's origins trace back to Central Asia, and it is believed to have been first used for its psychoactive properties around 2,700 BC. Marijuana made its way to the Middle East and Africa by around 1,000 BC, where it was used as a medicine and spiritual aid.

The first recorded use of marijuana in the Americas was by the Spanish in 1545. History shows that Native Americans have been using the plant for medicinal purposes long before the arrival of Europeans. In the early 1900s, marijuana began to be demonized in the United States, and Congress enacted laws to prohibit its use. Despite these prohibitions, however, marijuana continued to be used for medicinal and recreational purposes.

There has been an ongoing movement to legalize marijuana in the United States in recent years. Several states have already legalized the plant for medicinal use, and a few have gone as far as legalizing it for recreational use. With public opinion shifting in favor of legalization, it seems likely that marijuana will eventually be completely legal in the United States.

History of Hemp

Hemp is a plant that humans have used for centuries. The earliest known use of hemp dates back to 8000 BC, when people used it to make fabric and rope in China. Hemp was also used by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to make cloth and paper.

In the Middle Ages, hemp was an essential crop in Europe, used for making sails and ropes for ships. Hemp continued to be grown for industrial purposes until the early 20th century. However, the passage of the Marijuana Tax Act in 1937 effectively criminalized hemp cultivation in the United States.

Since then, there have been some sporadic attempts to grow hemp commercially in the US, but these have been mainly unsuccessful due to the plant's association with marijuana. In the past few years, however, there has been a renewed interest in growing hemp, thanks to its many potential applications in medicine, industry, and agriculture.

Legality

The 2018 Farm Bill has created a lot of confusion about the legality of hemp. Before the Bill, hemp was classified as a Schedule I drug and was therefore illegal to grow in the United States. That changed when the 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), making it legal to grow in the US. However, the language of the Bill left it up to the States to regulate the growth and sale of hemp. This has caused some confusion about whether or not hemp is legal.

Hemp is a variety of the Cannabis sativa plants containing 0.3% or less of the psychoactive compound THC. THC is one of the compounds that produce the "high" associated with marijuana use. Because of its low THC content, hemp can not have the same psychoactive effects as marijuana.

Thankfully, hemp has been removed from the CSA and is now legal to cultivate in the United States. However, the 2018 Farm Bill left it up to the States to regulate the growth and sale of hemp. This has led to a considerable amount of confusion about whether or not hemp is legal.

Currently, there are no federal laws regulating the growth or sale of hemp. It is up to each State to create its own laws and regulations regarding hemp. Some states have chosen to ban the growing and sale of hemp, while other states have created programs to allow for the regulated cultivation and sale of hemp products.

Where Does CBD Fit in?

CBD is sourced from hemp and marijuana plants, but there are some critical differences between the two. CBD derived from hemp is considered federally legal in the United States, while CBD from marijuana is still illegal at the federal level. CBD sourced from hemp should contain less than 0.3% THC, while CBD sourced from marijuana can contain up to 30% THC. CBD from hemp is most often used for its CBD content, while CBD from marijuana is most often used for its THC content. CBD has several potential health benefits, but it is essential to understand the source of your CBD before using it. CBD sourced from hemp is a safe and legal option for those looking to use CBD, while CBD sourced from marijuana is still illegal at the federal level.

Final words on Hemp Vs. Marijuana

Hemp has been utilized for various purposes for thousands of years, including making rope, paper, and clothing. Marijuana has been used for its mind-altering capabilities since the early 1900s.

Hemp and cannabis are both in the cannabis family, but they have distinct applications. Hemp is primarily used for industrial purposes, while marijuana is used for recreational and medicinal purposes.

Hemp and marijuana plants look different, and they grow differently. Hemp plants are tall and thin, with long, skinny leaves. Marijuana plants are shorter and bushier, with broader leaves.

The flowers of hemp plants are small and green, while the flowers of marijuana plants are larger and more colorful. Hemp is legal in most countries, while marijuana is still illegal. In the United States, hemp was legalized with the 2018 Farm Bill, while marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. The legality of hemp is still a gray area, but the 2018 Farm Bill has created a lot of confusion. It's imperative to do your research before buying or growing hemp to make sure that you comply with the laws in your State.

You can now make sense of the hemp versus marijuana distinction after learning about the differences between these two plants.

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