Which is better: hemp or cannabis CBD?

CBD can be a natural way to treat a variety of problems and improve your well-being – but did you know there is a choice?

It's a huge global market worth almost $8 billion, used by millions of people, but better is hemp or cannabis CBD. It is most commonly used to treat chronic pain, anxiety, inflammation, and insomnia. Outside of the medical fields, it is also used in a part of the beauty industry. The anti-inflammatory properties are said to help reduce signs of aging, including wrinkles. With vitamins A, C and E in CBD, it is also said to help keep skin healthy and firm while stimulating collagen.

But is there a difference and which one should you use? Does it matter for the purpose? The main difference between the two is the respective compound amounts. Marijuana contains more THC and less CBD. Hemp contains more CBD and less THC. The sources of CBD come from similar species such as the hemp plant and the cannabis plant. Hemp and cannabis are relatives of the same plant family: Cannabis sativa.

Photo by Cristi Ursea via Unsplash

So which is better: Both can work well in beauty care, but if you want medical or health benefits, there are subtle changes. The University of Colorado Boulder recently published a study on CBD and anxiety. They can relieve anxiety without the risks that THC can bring. Cannabis products with high levels of the non-intoxicating compound CBD may relieve anxiety better than THC-dominant products – which is hemp. In general, the consensus is that cannabis-based CBD is better for medical issues.

Hemp is an industrial plant with an extremely low THC content (less than 0.3%). It is a rich source of nutrients and CBD. Since hemp is a rich source of natural CBD, most CBD products manufactured worldwide are made from hemp. It also makes it easier to produce large amounts of hemp-derived CBD, since the hemp plant was removed from the Controlled Substances Act thanks to Mitch McConnell's Farm Bill.

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While recreational and/or medical cannabis is legal in 40 states, it is still not federally legal, which creates some issues with sales and distribution. CBD made from the cannabis plant has a little more THC, but not enough to get you stoned, but enough that the federal government should watch it closely. CBD oils and other CBD products made from marijuana can only be legally purchased from licensed pharmacies in states that have legalized cannabis. On the other hand, you can easily purchase hemp-derived CBD almost anywhere.