Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of two main cannabinoids found in hemp plants, the other being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The CBD industry has grown significantly in the past few years, in terms of research, studies, and the discovery of new medicinal and therapeutic applications of the product. When compared to cannabis plants, hemp plants tend to have a higher concentration of CBD than THC.
While there are similarities between CBD derived from cannabis and hemp plants, there are several differences, both in the way they affect users as well as their legal status.
Sources
Hemp and cannabis both originate from the Cannabis Sativa plant. Some strains of cannabis also originate from the Cannabis Indica plant. This is where the terms Sativa and Indica come from when describing cannabis strains. Depending on the grower’s focus, strains can be bred to have higher or lower levels of CBD and THC. Cannabis plants typically have higher levels of THC, but contain CBD as well. On the other hand, industrial hemp, from which most CBD oil is derived, contains very low amounts of THC.
Growth and Extraction
At a molecular level, there is no real difference when it comes to CBD derived from hemp or cannabis plants. The difference comes from the way it is processed and grown. For example, industrial-hemp-sourced CBD should be grown organically. This means the plants are grown somewhere free from pesticides, herbicides, and any other added chemicals. Hemp plants tend to absorb whatever nutrients and chemicals are in the soil, good or bad.
The processing of the CBD once extracted is another place where both varieties diverge. Hemp CBD should be extracted using CO2, rather than high heat. High-heat extraction methods can cause the final product to lose its potency as well as decrease its nutritional value. Basically, high-heat extraction destroys the plant’s overall integrity.
Side Effects
The side effects of cannabis-derived CBD versus hemp-derived CBD differ as well. This is primarily because CBD is not psychoactive as THC is. While hemp CBD typically contains only 0.3-1.5 percent THC, cannabis CBD often contains upward of 20 percent THC.
THC, while medicinally beneficial in itself, also can produce a number of undesirable side effects. One of the most common side effects of THC consumption is increased nervous and anxious behavior. While hemp-derived CBD is actually commonly used to assist with various forms of anxiety, cannabis-derived CBD can exacerbate the problems, due to the THC content. Other often unwanted side effects include increased appetite, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Hemp CBD, on the other hand, usually has little to no negative effect on users. In fact, CBD actually can help to reduce the unwanted effects of THC. Because there is no psychoactive effect with hemp CBD, it is completely safe for use by individuals of all ages, including children, seniors, as well as pregnant and nursing women. Hemp CBD and hemp CBD oil also commonly are used for various health conditions in pets as well.
Cannabis CBD usually is not recommended for children or pregnant and nursing women because of the potential of negative side effects. In addition, cannabis CBD can impair motor functions and decision-making, which makes it not ideal for typical everyday application. Cannabis CBD also is not recommended for pets, due to the THC content.
Medicinal & Therapeutic Applications
The medicinal and therapeutic applications of both cannabis CBD and hemp CBD are numerous. Cannabis CBD, due to the THC content, is known for its potential to act as an analgesic, or pain reliever. This can be helpful for individuals suffering from conditions such as AIDS, fibromyalgia, and sickle cell disease, as well as painful or uncomfortable treatment processes, such as chemotherapy.
Hemp CBD also has a multitude of applications, without the unwanted side effects that THC can produce. CBD has been shown to be an effective treatment aid for conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and depression. Studies have shown that hemp CBD also may assist with reducing cancer cells as well as inhibiting tumor growth.
Legal Differences
The other main area where hemp CBD and cannabis CBD differ is in their legal status within the United States. CBD and CBD oil extracted from industrial hemp are legal in all 50 states, due to the low levels of THC. This differs from CBD extracted from cannabis plants, the legal status of which differs from state to state. Cannabis CBD still is considered to be illegal at the federal level.
Even though industrial hemp plants still contain some amounts of THC, the level is low enough that it is legal for importation and processing into products such as CBD tinctures, CBD balms, and CBD oils. For those trying to source a CBD product, whether online or elsewhere, legal ramifications can come into play for cannabis-derived CBD. In addition, in states where cannabis and cannabis CBD is legal, it can be hard to find products that are low in THC, since consumers usually want products with a higher level.
Conclusion
Overall, cannabis-derived CBD and hemp-derived CBD are essentially the same thing. The differences primarily lie in the source of the cannabinoid, the extraction method, and the legal status. In addition, cannabis-derived CBD products tend to contain THC, which can alter the effects of the finished product.
References:
https://www.solcbd.com/blogs/news/hemp-cbd-and-cannabis-cbd-4-essential-differences
https://discovercbd.com/pages/hemp-derived-cbd-vs-marijuana-derived-cbd
https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/what-is-cbd-hemp-oil/
https://hempmedspx.com/about-hemp-stalk-oil/
https://merryjane.com/culture/hemp-cbd-oil-marijuana-cbd-oil-differences
