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CBD products are now available everywhere, from online stores to local dispensaries. The main reason the cannabidiol is becoming popular is because of its beneficial therapeutic effects. However, there’s still lots of confusion around CBD sources and whether CBD extracts are different.
So, what’s the difference between CBD from hemp and CBD from marijuana? Well, there’s no big difference. Both CBD are the same in molecular composition. But they have some differences in terms of legality, cannabinoid content, use, and more.
To understand the difference, you need a good background knowledge of these two plants. Here’s everything you need to know about hemp CBD versus marijuana CBD.
Marijuana vs. Hemp
Both marijuana and hemp come from the cannabis plant. The herbaceous plant can be either cannabis sativa or cannabis indica. Marijuana is a member of the two species, but hemp is a member of the species cannabis sativa alone. Hemp and marijuana can come from cannabis sativa, which explains why they share most features. Now you can buy hemp flower online and enjoy their benefits.
CBD from hemp or marijuana have a similar molecular structure. But they differ in cannabinoid contents. Marijuana plants have high THC levels, and hemp plants have less than 0.3 percent THC content. Consequently, hemp-derived CBD has fewer THC than marijuana-derived CBD.
Because of the high THC content, marijuana is under heavy regulation and so are marijuana-derived products like CBD. The recent Farm Bill made it legal to grow and distribute hemp. So, hemp CBD can be grown for business and sold to the public.
CBD from Hemp vs. Marijuana: What’s the Difference?
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1. Cannabinoid Concentration
CBD from hemp and marijuana differ in terms of cannabinoid content. The main difference is between their THC levels. Marijuana-derived CBD oil has a higher THC concentration and less CBD. On the other hand, hemp-derived CBD oil has low THC levels, which falls within the legal limit and has more CBD.
Some marijuana strains have higher CBD content than others. They can be used to produce CBD oil with THC levels ranging between 5 and 30 percent.
Apart from THC: CBD ratio, the two plants’ CBD oil have different concentrations of terpenes and other cannabinoids. However, this is mostly determined by the method of processing. More refinement means fewer amounts of terpenes, cannabinoids, and other compounds. That’s why it’s important to get high quality Love CBD products from reputable manufacturers who use genuine production methods.
2. Legality
The legality of CBD and cannabis products is a major issue. It’s also where the difference between their extracts comes in. It’s illegal in the US to use CBD products with over 0.3% THC in states where cannabis use for recreational use is banned.
Hemp-derived CBD is legal in most states, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill allows the use of products like CBD from hemp, which have THC concentrations within the legal limits. So, whether CBD oil is from hemp or marijuana, the THC levels should be less than 0.3% for it to be legal.
As of now, marijuana is legal for both medical and recreational use in 11 states including Illinois, Alaska, Colorado, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Maine, Oregon, Nevada, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. However, marijuana remains illegal federally. That means you can be prosecuted for transporting marijuana-derived CBD oil between two states where it’s legal.
3. Effects on the User
Since hemp-derived CBD has low levels of THC, it causes no psychoactive effects. That means you won’t get high even when using high amounts of CBD. Instead, they offer a range of mental and physical health benefits. It calms your mind and interacts with your body’s endocannabinoid system to improve brain and body functions.
Marijuana-derived CBD can make you high. But if you take products with higher CBD content, then it minimizes the intoxication. That’s because CBD counters THC’s psychoactive effects. CBD oil from marijuana also has powerful therapeutic benefits that can ease depression, relax your brain, treat pain, and chronic inflammation, among other diseases.
The side effects of taking excess marijuana-CBD can be more serious, ranging from increased blood pressure, heart rate, diarrhea, etc. However, the results vary between individuals and depends on the THC content in the oil and CBD oil consumed. You can minimize the effects by increasing the amounts gradually.
CBD oil from hemp has fewer and mild side effects. For this reason, most users tend to prefer it over marijuana CBD. You can reduce the side effects by starting with low doses and increasing it as your body adapts.
4. Uses
CBD oil from both hemp and marijuana have therapeutic effects. They stimulate the endocannabinoid system to improve your overall health. However, CBD from hemp is widely used as a dietary supplement and available in various shops and online stores. Because of the strict regulations, marijuana-derived CBD is only available from a few authorized sellers.
Furthermore, CBD from hemp is safe for everyone. Since it has no intoxicating effects, it’s suitable for adults and children alike. It is widely used in treating epilepsy in kids across the US. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain hemp-derived CBD oil to manage severe epilepsy forms.
Conclusion
So, which one should you choose? Hemp-derived CBD oil or marijuana-derived CBD oil? It all depends on your purpose. Both of these plants produce CBD except that the CBD from marijuana has higher THC levels. You can go for CBD oil from marijuana if you don’t mind the high. It provides better relaxation. But if you’re using it for your kid or don’t want the intoxicating effects, then you should stick to hemp-derived CBD.
Other than THC content, you also need to consider other beneficial compounds such as terpenes and cannabinoids that provide extra benefits. However, these are some of the main differences between CBD from the two plants. With this information in mind, you can now make a better decision when buying CBD products. You can also consult with your doctor for guidance before you start using it.
