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Hemp and cannabis are often confused with each other. Although hemp comes from the cannabis plant family, it is very different to the cannabis we use in medicine. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant, specifically a variety of cannabis sativa, typically cultivated for industrial purposes.
From its uses to chemical makeup, we’re going to explore the key difference between hemp and cannabis below.
What is Hemp?
The cannabis plant produces over 100 cannabinoids, a class of chemical compounds that interact with receptors in our cells and alter the release of chemicals in the brain. Two of these compounds, that you’ve probably heard of, are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is psychoactive and cannabidiol (CBD) which is non-psychoactive.
Hemp is a type of cannabis plant that is most often cultivated for its fibre and contains .03% or less THC. CBD can also be extracted from the plant. With such low levels of THC, it’s unlikely hemp will cause the ‘high’ feeling cannabis can be associated with.
When we talk about CBD flower (flower that contains high amounts of CBD and lower amounts of THC) these typically come from hemp plants too, as they do not produce a lot of THC.
There are many hemp uses and benefits. These can include:
- Textiles and clothing
- Paper
- Building materials
- Fuels
- Biodegradable plastics
- Oils
- Food products like oil or hemp milk
- Some CBD products
Hemp also played quite a significant role in the development of the Dutch navy. From the ship's sails and sailors’ clothes to making the ship watertight, hemp had many uses:
- Sails
- Rigging
- Other ropes
- Clothes
- The ship’s log was on hemp paper
- Lamps used hemp oil
- Hemp seed were an essential part of cargo as food
- It was also treated with tar to fill the seams between the planks of a wooden hull to keep the ship watertight
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant cultivated for thousands of years for its medicinal and nutritional applications. Its flowers contain hundreds of active chemical and therapeutic compounds, called cannabinoids, that can cause drug-like effects throughout the body, and terpenes, the part of a plant that produces the smell. When combined, they can impact the central nervous system, the immune system, and more.
Since 2018, doctors have been able to legally prescribe cannabis in the UK. Medical cannabis is grown in controlled environments, to a strict level of quality, and can be consumed in flower form, cannabis oil, vape cartridges, capsules, and more.
Key Differences Between Hemp and Cannabis
When it comes to hemp vs cannabis, the biggest difference between the two is the THC content. At a glance, hemp has low THC content and cannabis has high THC content.
Hemp vs Cannabis THC Content
Cannabis can have a much higher THC content than hemp, depending on the strain and how it is grown. A strain is a specific variety of cannabis distinguished by its unique genetic makeup and characteristics, and can be influenced by genetics, growing conditions or the way it’s cultivated, and breeding techniques.
But, this doesn’t mean cannabis is only used to get you ‘high’. It’s unlikely you’ll be prescribed cannabis medication in a way that will make you feel ‘high’, and it’s as safe as many other over-the-counter medications as long as you’re using it against your prescription guidance. Instead, it can be used to help ease chronic pain and relieve the symptoms of depression, anxiety and more. So, although medical cannabis has more THC than hemp, levels are controlled and monitored by professionals toprovide therapeutic benefits. And the law isn’t determined on THC content, just whether you have a prescription or not.
As we’ve covered above, both cannabis and hemp have very different uses. Where hemp is mostly cultivated for its fibre and used to create paper, cloth and building materials, cannabis is used in medicine for its therapeutic benefits. It can be used for a number of neurological conditions, mental health conditions, chronic pain and mental health. We list examples of conditions under each of these categories on the Alternaleaf website, so head there for more details.
Summary
Whether you’re struggling from anxiety, chronic pain, or something else, cannabis can be a great option for people wanting to get their life back on track. And as often as it gets confused with cannabis, hemp isn’t the same thing.
Head to the Alternaleaf website for lots of help, information, and to see if medical cannabis could be the right fit for you, and speak to your pharmacist or specialist doctor if you’re unsure. Remember, we’re always here to help with any questions you may have.