Know the difference between hemp and marijuana

What is CBD?

CBD stands for cannabidiol and is a chemical compound found in the cannabis sativa plant. Therapeutic grade CBD is extracted from hemp plants. This compound works in our bodies through our Endocannabinoid System. CBD is considered to help the body adapt to stress and to exert a normalizing effect upon bodily processes. CBD does not have intoxicating effects on the body, instead CBD offers different effects. Research shows its ability to reduce inflammation, seizures and other ailments.

What is Marijuana?

Marijuana is the name coined to the cannabis sativa plant that includes high percentages of the chemical compound THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. THC works in our bodies through the Endocannabinoid System just as CBD does. Marijuana is used recreationally and medicinally. THC is the chemical compound in marijuana that gets the consumer high and intoxicated. Marijuana can also include certain percentages of CBD depending on the strain. No matter what, if the plant contains more than 0.3% THC it is considered marijuana and is regulated differently than CBD.

Hemp vs. Marijuana

Now you might be asking yourself what is the difference between hemp and marijuana? These are names that classify the type of cannabis sativa plant. Hemp defines a cannabis plant that has less than 0.3% THC, while marijuana classifies a cannabis plant that has more than 0.3% THC. There are many different strains that carry different percentages of chemical compounds. Strains go further than just how much THC is present, but for legal reasons the percentage of THC is the most important. Other chemical compounds that are found in both hemp and marijuana are minor cannabinoids (CBG, CBN and CBC) along with terpenes (Limonene, Pinene, Myrcene, etc.). Each category of hemp and marijuana strains have their own unique chemical makeup.

Therapeutic Hemp vs. Industrial Hemp

But wait, there's more than just hemp these days. Some strains of hemp contain minuscule amounts of therapeutic chemical compounds like CBD, THC, minor cannabinoids and terpenes. These strains are considered industrial or textile hemp. These strains are great for making fabrics, building materials, etc.. They can grow close together and look tall and stalky. Some CBD oil found on the market today extracts CBD from these textile and industrial hemp plants, because they are easy to come by and cheap to buy. Unfortunately extracting from these strains provides a low concentration of CBD, sometimes even as low as 2%.

Therapeutic hemp consist of strains that have high percentages of CBD and low percentages of THC. These plants are more spread out, low to the ground and look lush and bushy. Compared to industrial hemp, therapeutic hemp provides high-resin strains. Resin contains cannabinoids and terpenes, and these are the chemical compounds found to increase brain chemistry and alleviate distress. Straight Hemp extracts full spectrum CBD from strains of hemp that are considered therapeutic hemp for this reason. Our whole plant products are CBD rich and packed with hemp terpenes and other cannabinoids because of the therapeutic hemp we grow and harvest.

Each strain of the cannabis sativa plant offers different products. Strains named Blue Dream and Girl Scout Cookie provide a commonly used marijuana flower to make people high. The strain that have potential to support our wellbeing and way of life.