Does it matter whether your CBD comes from industrial hemp or medical cannabis?

This article originally appeared on Cannabis.net and was republished with permission.

With the recently signed law in California to legalize industrial hemp and hemp-derived products, you’ll be shocked to find that many don’t know the difference between industrial hemp and cannabis.

This is of course a very common mistake made by many newcomers to the cannabis industry, but it is also possible that users who have been around for a while may fall into this category.

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differences

The main differences between hemp-CBD and cannabis-CBD lie in the classification of the plant as well as in the genetic makeup, since the two plants are different varieties of the cannabis sativa plant. It is common knowledge that industrial hemp contains more CBD, while cannabis plants are known to contain more THC than CBD. Remember that THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis that causes the euphoric high that comes from smoking the herb.

Industrial hemp

Simply put, industrial hemp is a specific strain of cannabis. The herb has been used by humans for quite some time, with most of its previous uses being in making rope, sails, and food. This was until new and improved applications such as using the herb to extract cannabinoids for medicinal and recreational purposes began. The natural herb is also used in construction, as the durable material hemp concrete is gradually being used in various buildings in Europe.

According to the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp or industrial hemp is labeled as cannabis sativa plants that contain less than 0.3% THC. These classes of cannabis plants are considered legal at the federal level and can be grown by growers in a good number of states. These cultivation practices are strictly regulated. Industrial hemp contains THC, albeit in small amounts, which is why it is defined as containing no more than 0.3%. It is possible, however, that some processed products made from hemp may induce euphoria, however most products are aimed at medicinal use of CBD. Examples of processed hemp products include topicals, tinctures, gums, and capsules.

Medical cannabis

Cannabis plants come in three different strains, including indica, sativa, and ruderalis. These three strains also come as hybrid plants when mixed in different proportions to make different cannabinoids. Cannabis plants contain cannabinoids like CBD and THC, which have a wide range of medicinal abilities that have made setting up a medical marijuana program easy. Cannabis is classified as a List 1 narcotic by the FDA, but it is still legal for recreational and medicinal use in a number of states. CBD and THC, derived from cannabis plants, are actively used medicinally to treat pain, seizures, mood disorders, and a host of other conditions. Examples of medicinal cannabis products are topicals, gums, tinctures, and transdermal patches.

Industrial hemp vs. medical cannabis

Although both strains are the same plant, the main discussion point of industrial and medicinal cannabis is on CBD. Both are high in cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, but when it comes to their medicinal benefits, the important factor is their concentration of CBD. As mentioned earlier, industrial hemp contains more CBD compared to cannabis, which contains more THC than CBD. However, it’s important to note that the CBD extracted from both sources is the same in terms of effects and benefits. This is because the chemical composition of the compound does not change regardless of the source.

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A key difference is the legal status of both products in the eyes of the FDA, as the FDA’s 2018 Farm Bill helps classify products from both sources differently. Products made from cannabis are expected to contain more than 0.3% THC, which makes them illegal.

Why is your source of CBD important?

You won’t be categorically wrong in asking why the source of CBD should matter, especially given the fact that it is clearly stated that the chemical makeup of the component doesn’t matter. First of all, you’ll remember that we found that hemp has more CBD and less THC than cannabis, which has more THC and CBD. This means that when compared to cannabis, hemp has more CBD available for extraction when both are used as sources of CBD. This information is important as it makes industrial hemp a more lucrative option for manufacturers to source CBD. The legal status of the two aforementioned products also makes industrial hemp an option with the least possible legal disadvantage compared to the FDA.

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The source of CBD is also important because of the different classes of CBD extract we have from different sources. The entourage effect is a unique feature of phytochemical molecules such as cannabinoids and terpenes. The more molecules, the better the entourage effect, as they work in synergy to create a unique set of effects. CBD can have a wide or full spectrum, depending on the source. CBD obtained from cannabis, which contains more THC and other cannabinoids, certainly has more entourage effect, which certainly has a positive effect on the effectiveness of the extract.

Bottom line

While the source of CBD can be important in terms of the amount of CBD available for extraction and entourage, the location of appropriate advice is also important. Medical users of both products are strongly advised to inform their physicians to ensure that the product is appropriate for the specific physical or mental health problem they are planning to use it for. Both sources of CBD are sure to produce high quality cannabinoids to meet your medical or recreational needs.