You must have wondered several times whether hemp and marijuana are the same. If so, then why is hemp legal and not marijuana? The answer is that they are not the same, but both belong to the Cannabis family. Hemp is entirely different when compared to marijuana in terms of application, cultivation and function. Still, there exists a lot of confusion in the identification of these two species of Cannabis.  

 What is hemp?  

Hemp is usually referred to as the industrial hemp. It is grown specifically for industrial purposes. Its extracts can be used to produce numerous commercial items including animal feed, biofuel, clothing, paper and a lot more. Although marijuana and hemp belong to the same family, there exists a significant difference in the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive component. Hemp has lower concentrations of THC whereas it is rich in Cannabidiol (CBD) which is a nonpsychoactive component.

Here is much more accurate CBD definition. Cannabidiol is one of the 113 cannabinoids, which can be found in Cannabis. It accounts for up to 40 percent of the extract derived from the plant. CBD does not have any intoxicating effects as produced by the high THC found in Marijuana. Interest CBD uses  has grown in the recent years, which has compelled scientists to take up studies to study CBD benefits. A lot of work is being done to study the benefits of CBD for depression. A lot of scientific evidence is still needed to prove that CBD derived from hemp is safe for use and actually can help in treating several ailments.      

 Differences between hemp and marijuana

Marijuana and hemp serve different applications. Marijuana is used for recreational purposes whereas hemp is utilized more for research. Hemp is believed to possess over 25,000 applications. A lot is being studied for using hemp in making accessories, clothing, skin products and dietary supplements. Marijuana and hemp can be distinguished based on their natural adaptability and appearance. There exist contrasting differences between the two.  

 Appearance

Marijuana looks completely different hemp when you take a closer look at the leaves of these two plants. The leaves of Marijuana are broad and appear like a nugget. The leaves of hemp are on the other hand skinnier. Marijuana appears more like a fat bush whereas hemp is taller and skinnier.  

 Chemical composition  

The major difference that can be seen between hemp and marijuana is the chemical composition, especially THC content. THC is the key component which is responsible for the psychological effects. Marijuana comprises of five to twenty percent THC whereas hemp has a maximum of 0.3 percent of THC. Hemp on the other hand is rich in CBD content.