The Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana

To start this blog off I would like to say that both hemp and marijuana play key roles in our society today, but what really is the difference?

As the demand for CBD continues to skyrocket, the CBD industry has developed into a quiet unique market that is different yet still closely related to the cannabis industry, even after its controversial reputation and shifting legalities. Since CBD has had such an uproar in our community lets get the facts right just so you know the difference.

Cannabis is a genus of flowering plants in the Cannabaceae family and consists of Cannabis sativa, Cannabis indica, and Cannabis ruderalis.

Image result for hemp v marijuana

Overall, hemp and marijuana are simply broad classifications of cannabis that were adopted into our culture, however there is more to the cannabis plant than hemp and marijuana.


First, lets discuss hemp, hemp is a term used to classify varieties of cannabis that contains 0.3% or less of THC content by dried weight. This definition was not legitimized until when the Agricultural Act of 2018 was passed. Hemp has been used to describe non-intoxicating cannabis that is harvested for industrial use of its derived products like hemp rope, paper, and new biodegradable hemp plastic.

Nowadays the main use for hemp that the average person knows is for its potency of CBD and other cannabanoids. While hemp contains less than 0.3% THC, it is rich in CBD which has multiple benefits including, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, relief of anxiety, OCD, PTSD, and many more.


Next, I will discuss marijuana, marijuana is a term used to classify cannabis that contains more than 0.3% THC (go figure) by dry weight, and can produce a psychoactive feeling known as a high once smoked.

While the use of this term is widely used in American culture it represents a misrepresentation of cannabis, while most individuals in the industry see this term as “racist”. In early American history the term marijuana was non-existent and cannabis was mainly used to classify the plant, mainly because at the time no one knew the difference.

The term marijuana was a negative correlation coming from Mexican immagrants coming into the United States after the Mexican Revolution. Recently after, stories and rumors began to surface warning Americans of the dangerous and homicidal tendencies caused by “Mexican Cannabis” or “locoweed”. As the negative perception of cannabis grew, the government began regulating cannabis more vigorously.

By 1927, 11 states had passed anti-marijuana laws and by the 1930’s anti-marijuana propaganda and the fear of the “Reefer Madness” had begun.

Image result for reefer madness

In conclusion the difference in hemp and marijuana is not huge, the main difference is the THC content by dry weight. With hemp only allowing to contain 0.3% and marijuana to contain more than 0.3% THC. But when you are pulled over by to police you better know the difference!

Published by ckilby1

Head Marketing Agent for 7th Letter Wellness

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