Curious about the difference between hemp and marijuana?
The cannabis industry is experiencing exponential growth, so keeping up with new legislation and products is confusing.
Read on to learn more about what distinguishes hemp from marijuana. We’ll also fill you in on cannabis legality and where you can buy hemp-derived Delta-9 THC edibles online.
Hemp and marijuana: what’s the difference?
The Cannabis sativa plant has been cultivated for its recreational, spiritual, and medicinal properties for thousands of years.
Hemp and marijuana are both the same species; cannabis, but hemp differs from marijuana in its THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) content. In the US, hemp is cultivated to contain less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC by dry weight.
Essentially, we use the words ‘hemp’ and ‘marijuana’ to distinguish cannabis plants with concentrations of the Delta-9 THC cannabinoid above and below that 0.3% level.
Hemp is typically bred for industrial and commercial uses, such as making clothing, rope, and paper. Hemp played an essential role in the creation of the fledgling American nation.
In contrast, marijuana is typically bred for recreational and medicinal purposes, due to the beneficial properties of its cannabinoids.
Let’s dive into the essential facts on cannabinoids.
Everything you should know about cannabinoids
Cannabinoids are chemical compounds that interact with the body’s nervous system.
CBD (Cannabidiol) and Delta-9 THC are the most prominent cannabinoids found in cannabis.
CBD is not intoxicating like THC, so it will not get you high.
Because of the amount of Delta-9 THC found in cannabis, the US government has regulated the cultivation and consumption of products derived from the cannabis plant. It carefully distinguishes plants with the terms ‘hemp’ and ‘marijuana.
Every human body has its own endocannabinoid system (ECS). Scientists believe that the ECS may contribute to regulating homeostasis –the body’s way of maintaining its internal environment.
Research suggests that the ECS may be related to functions like appetite, pain, inflammation, mood, sleep, stress, and the reproductive system.
When consumed, cannabinoids work with the ECS to produce different reactions.
Are hemp and marijuana legal in the United States?
In 2018, former President Donald Trump signed a Farm Bill that reclassified hemp as an industrial product. This allowed for the transportation of hemp-derived products across state lines, as long as they did not contain more than 0.3% Delta 9 THC.
This means that hemp-derived Delta-9 THC products are legal across the US, even though Delta-9 THC is classified as a Schedule 1 drug by the US government.
TLDR: Hemp is federally legal. Marijuana regulation is up to state governments. State governments are introducing legislation to regulate hemp-derived cannabinoids, however.
Buy Hemp-Derived Delta-9 Edibles Online
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Each Melee Dose gummy contains 5 milligrams of hemp-derived Delta-9 THC, so you can get high any place, any time. Our mouthwatering gummy diamonds are the perfect combination of flavor and experience. Infused with rare cannabinoids and terpenes, you won’t find luxury edibles like ours anywhere else.
Check out Melee’s hemp-derived Delta-9 edibles here.