Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) and marijuana (Cannabis Indica) are often confused for the same plant, but they are completely different in more ways than one. For centuries, there has been a lot of confusion and misunderstanding about the two. Since the 1930s, in the era of “reefer madness”, Hemp and marijuana were completely looked down upon due to claims that they could make you mad. However, we are going to make it clear and distinguish the differences between these two plants. While they come from the same genus, the differences between the two are quite distinct. Hemp and marijuana have major differences in function, application, cultivation, and chemical composition.
| Cannabis | Chemical Composition | Cultivation | Applications |
| Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) | Low THC Level | Requires very little care.Can grow in most climates. | Numerous applications, including automobile, clothes, body care, plastic, food, construction, etc. |
| Marijuana (Cannabis Indica) | High THC Level | It is cultivated in a controlled atmosphere. | Medicine and recreational purposes. |
From the table above, there are some distinct differences between hemp and marijuana.
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the chemical component in cannabis that has psychoactive effects, i.e. it is the chemical component that makes you high. On average, marijuana has about 5-30% THC or more, making it ideal for recreational purposes. Hemp, on the other hand, has 0.3% or less of THC. It is, therefore, impossible to get high from hemp.
- Hemp can be grown in multiacre plots in almost all climates due to its highly adaptable nature. On average, hemp has a growth cycle of about 108 to 120 days. On the other hand, Marijuana is only cultivated in a carefully controlled environment, which is warm and humid, and the growth cycle is only 60 to 90 days. While hemp can be grown up to 4 inches close, some varieties of Marijuana; especially the medical varieties, should typically be grown 6feet apart. Marijuana and hemp should not be grown too close together because if this happens, hemp’s pollen could destroy the marijuana crop by diluting its psychoactivity.
- While Marijuana is mainly used for medical and recreational purposes, hemp can be used for other applications that Marijuana cannot even come close to. Hemp is popularly used in the construction industry, the food industry, the body care industry, clothes, accessories, and automobiles too. Due to all its versatile uses, hemp is a great industrial crop that continues to enhance the quality of life for numerous people.
To the inexperienced eye, hemp and marijuana may look the same, even though there are still some differences in appearance. However, the distinct differences make these two crops better suited for their different functions. While hemp has low levels of THC, it also has high levels of CBD, which has numerous applications even for medical purposes. CBD oil that is produced from hemp seeds has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-anxiety properties without any psychoactive effects, making it a great supplement. Although it is quite hard to regulate the quality of CBD oil present in the market, it is very important to practice caution while purchasing any CBD produc
