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Updated on September 1, 2021

Hemp Leaf And Marijuana: How They Differ

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Cannabis as a whole is something that a lot of people in the modern world are confused about. For example, many people believe that hemp and marijuana are the same things when, in reality, they are very different in many ways.

Of course, it’s an easy misconception to make, especially because a lot of CBD and other cannabis products are relatively new to the market in many ways. But at the end of the day, there are many confusing details about hemp and marijuana that often confuse people. 

Fundamentally speaking, these plants are technically the same species of plants. They both have the same origins in the world, and to the naked eye can often seem like essentially the same thing. However, beyond the iconic green leaves of the plant, there are actually a lot of very dramatic differences between the two kinds of plants, especially in how they can be used and affect people. 

Here are how hemp and marijuana are different and what that can mean to you. The differences are actually easy to understand and can greatly impact how you make your own decisions and opinions regarding cannabis products. 

What Are CBD and THC?

When learning about the differences between hemp and marijuana, an essential factor to understand is knowing what CBD and THC are. These chemicals generally define the most important similarities and differences between these two kinds of plants. 

CBD is short for Cannabidiol, and it is found in all cannabis plants. It’s a chemical that has long been used to help people feel better and increase their overall vitality, as well as their healing processes. It’s a chemical that has wide-reaching effects and can help in a lot of different medical scenarios. 

However, it’s important to note that CBD does not have any psychoactive effects on people. 

The way that CBD generally works in the body is to rebalance the endocannabinoid system. This is a system in the body that helps regulate and balance a wide array of different parts of the body. When this system is unbalanced or in any way unhealthy, it can lead to a lot of areas of the body functioning less efficiently and effectively. It can lead to overall lower moods and more difficult recovery. CBD helps to regulate this system, which can, in turn, lead to much more effective functioning of the rest of the body. 

THC is short for Tetrahydrocannabinol, and this is another chemical that is often found in Cannabis plants. This is the chemical known for providing people with the “high” associated with marijuana and other THC-based products. 

It works by stimulating the sensory receptors in the brain to a high level and releasing a wide array of natural hormones into the body to make it feel things at a much higher level than normal. This can be an exhilarating feeling, but it also tends to have a psychoactive effect on the human mind. 

It is important to understand that these two chemicals are not the same thing and are mutually exclusive. They both naturally occur in cannabis plants, but the chemicals themselves are very different from each other. 

How Are Hemp And Marijuana Different

Now that you know the difference between CBD and THC, it is much easier to understand hemp and marijuana. 

Fundamentally, marijuana is when cannabis has THC inside of it, and hemp is when it does not. That means that cannabis with THC inside of it can create the high associated with marijuana, but cannabis plants that do not have this THC cannot do that. 

Almost all fully legal CBD on the market today is made from hemp plants because these are legal throughout the United States. The FDA and United States Government have identified CBD as very different from THC and as a very effective way to treat a wide range of physical and mental problems naturally. 

THC is becoming slowly legalized on a state-by-state basis, which means that depending on which state you are in, you may or may not be able to purchase THC or marijuana-based products legally. 

This is important to recognize and understand so that you don’t get into any legal troubles with the cannabis products you choose to consume. Always check the legal rules of the state that you are in when looking for THC products. 

That’s why Nesas Hemp exists -- to help ensure that you can get high-quality and effective hemp products that are right for you. 

How To Tell The Difference Between Hemp And Marijuana

It’s essential to know the actual functional differences between hemp and marijuana. Of course, while they are technically the same root plant, the actual contents inside of them set them apart in a lot of different ways. 

From a visual standpoint, they tend to be fairly similar in many ways, and to the untrained eye, they may even seem to be the same plant. However, there are a few general differences to look for when separating the two plants. 

Hemp plants typically tend to be more tall and skinny, with most of the leaves located near the top of the flower and have fewer leaves along the stem as a whole. 

Marijuana plants tend to be much bushier in appearance while having their leaves and flowers much more evenly distributed. This is because they have an increased level of THC in the plant. 

From a scientific and botanical perspective, there are a few fundamental differences in the chemical makeup of these plants. 

The actual amount of THC can vary a lot depending on the strain and qualities of the plant itself. Many people cultivate marijuana plants with much higher levels of THC so that they can much more easily access the chemicals inside and benefit from them, or well them. 

Hemp plants are very different from marijuana plants in that regard. 

For a hemp plant to be legal in the United States, it needs to have less than 0.3% of its content coming from THC. That means that these plants still have a large amount of CBD that is accessible, but the actual THC content is virtually nonexistent. 

This allows hemp plants to be grown virtually anywhere in the United States and will enable people to benefit from its products in a wide array of ways. However, it is still fundamentally important to play it safe when distinguishing between these two kinds of plants. 

While they are very different in many ways, they still technically come from the same root species and therefore can be very hard to distinguish between. It’s generally best to leave these distinctions to the professionals so that you don’t get into any legal issues. 

Cannabis plants are very versatile and helpful in many ways, and even if they aren’t all made the same, they all can help in their own ways and functions. 

How Nesas Hemp Is Different

At Nesas Hemp, our goal is to create the highest quality and most effective CBD products on the market. 

We went as far as to actually produce our oil using CBDa, knowing where each and every ingredient and material used is cultivated. This is a living and more natural kind of cannabinoid product that can actually be much more effective than regular CBD. 

At Nesas Hemp, we prioritize giving our customers the most powerful and useful CBDa on the market. 

Through years of research and perfecting our production, we have made sure that our CBDa oil is produced in a way that is truly as safe, natural, and beneficial as possible. We prioritize not just making something good for people but a fully natural product based on the natural healing properties that cannabis naturally has. 

We didn’t want to just meet the industry-standard -- so instead, we raised it. 

We have some of the most powerful and useful CBDa in the world in our CBDa oil, and you can buy it and have it shipped to you anywhere in the United States. If you’re looking to increase your quality of life dramatically and effectively, look to Nesas Hemp to get you started. 

Want to Learn More?

  1. What is a Certificate of Analysis for CBD products?
  2. Why CBDa is Rare?
  3. How Organic Hemp Oil Benefits Skin

Sources: 

  1. Cannabidiol (CBD) — what we know and what we don't | Harvard Health
  2. International Hemp Industry Hopes to Change U.S.’s 0.3-Percent THC Limit | Cannabis Business Times
  3. Tetrahydrocannabinol - an overview | Science Direct
Disclaimer
The content on Nesa's Hemp blog is for educational purposes only. We meticulously research and cite our sources, but advise consulting a professional before making decisions based on our information. We derive our content from reputable studies and publications, but individual circumstances may vary. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or applicability of our content to every situation. Nesa's Hemp blog and its authors are not liable for any loss or inconvenience resulting from reliance on our information. By using our blog, you waive any claims against us regarding the accuracy or completeness of our content.

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